“Maleficent” explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.
The film stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville.
“Maleficent” is produced by Joe Roth and directed by Robert Stromberg, with AngelinaJolie, Don Hahn, Palak Patel, Matt Smith and Sarah Bradshaw serving as executive producers. Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay. “Maleficent” opens in U.S. theaters on May 30, 2014.
This Summer is a great time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. With special benefits and legendary service, Walt Disney World Resort hotels are filled with wonder and excitement. And now is a great time to take the plunge with huge savings!
Save on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 28, 2014.
Save up to 30% when you stay up to 5 nights*
Save up to 35% when you stay 6 nights or longer*
Save even more when you stay 6 nights or longer and add minimum 6-day Magic Your Way Tickets to your room!**
Booking Window:
Book March 17 – June 6, 2014
*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom Villas and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. 30% savings for select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts; lower savings for other Resorts.
**Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same ticket.
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!
A SEQUEL!?!?!?! This will never work. Or will it? Hmmm…
The Muppets jump back onto the screen again right where they left off, literally. With Walter now a fixture with the family we are back at it again with James Bobin directing our creative, lively and lovable characters on a tour of seemingly similar circumstances. Yes, I am delving into my inner storyteller. Let us begin…
The Muppets are back on top, so to speak. With the gang all together what do they do? Go on a tour through Europe. With their new manager, Dominic Badguy (pronounced Badgee, French), the Muppets start their adventure in Berlin. Not all is as it seems though as Kermit isn’t Kermit but the worlds #1 criminal, Constantine. How is everyone fooled? A mere blemish of a mole separates their green complexion. And fooled they are as we see just how much Kermit means to the Muppets. What is Constantine up to with the Muppets? And more importantly, how is Kermit going to get out of PRISON?
This is a Muppet film in its best fashion, with celebrity after celebrity doing cameos left and right. Sprinkle in a bit by reaching back in time to borrow a bit of the ‘The Great Muppet Caper’ and you are in for a fun time watching the Muppets do what Muppets do, make you smile and laugh. From Start to finish these Muppets keep you entertained. Bobin has done well again by those who laid down the foundation many years ago.
With another colorful cast of those we love and some new faces, Bobin pushes through a script that at times seems thin and pulls it together. Now that may sound a little like an oxymoron, as I did say this film is fun. It is fun, just that the key to this film is not its story from Bobin and Nicholas Stoller. How they get you from the basic “caper movie” to a musical Muppet film is what makes this a fun time. It helps that you have the celebrity cameos, some of which are quite hilarious.
The true driving force in all of the Muppet films is, well the Muppets. I could not praise the talented team of creative performers that bring the Muppets to life. From such a talented force that Jim Henson and Frank Oz have found and developed we have Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta and David Rudman to name just a few that keep striving to entertain us.
They are not alone either as the entire cast and crew of the film set out to make an entertaining film that had the essence of a true Muppet film. We had some exciting acting with Ricky Gervais (The Office, The Invention of Lying) as Dominic Badguy, singing and dancing, although a little stiff dancing. Maybe it is because he is number 2? Tina Fey (30 Rock, SNL) puts on her boots and does her best Russian as Nadya. Laughter is her strongest weapon. Rounding out the “regular” actors is proverbial character actor Ty Burrell (Modern Family, The Incredible Hulk) as Interpol Agent Jean Pierre Napoleon who along with Sam Eagle tend to steal the screen light with their comical antics.
Even all the cameos are, for the most part, well played and quite witty in there placement. From Stanley Tucci and Selma Hayek to Christoph Waltz and Bridgit Mendler are up for the fun of entertaining us throughout the film. I will say that my favorite of the film is the trio of Jemaine Clement, Ray Liotta and one of my personal favorite and inspiring actors Danny Trejo.
Now the crew is the heart of this film as they make everything fit in to place and stand out when need to. Bobin has assembled a masterful group of individuals that bring this script realism. Production designer Eve Stewart gives us the feel of the world with the Muppets fitting right in. Rahel Afiley dressed the Muppets and the cast beautifully with creations that spanned many generations and compliments the locales and story with costuming. Music composition by Christope Beck sets the tones throughout the film delightfully while Francesca Jaynes stretches the legs of the cast and puts some fancy footwork all around. My favorite being the prison dance numbers.
A little stand out work is again done by Bret McKenzie, who won the 2011 Oscar® for “Man or Muppet” has stepped up again and knocked out another fantastic assembly of songs. From the opening number to Miss Piggy’s “Something So Right”, McKenzie keeps us on our toes for the next song. Witty lines and catchy music, such as my favorite, Constantine’s “I’ll Get You What You Want”, just make me want to see what else may be up his sleeve.
‘Muppets, Most Wanted’ is an entertaining adventure, caper, musical only the Muppets can do. To give any real critique would be the hiccups of some slow build to the story or if the movie could stand alone without all the cameos that are present. Although amusing and enjoyable to see, at one point it becomes a search for who is next to be on screen. That aside, it is a wonderful film for all ages to go and sit back to take guilty pleasure in.
When we watch a film, it is like any form of entertainment, where you identify with characters or the story. This film is no different in that it has a moral to it, presented as many of us can take to heart in a way only the Muppets can. We all have one person, or frog, sometimes many that we rely on that helps us guide our path in life. Now I don’t mean they tell us what we do but present us with order and reason. This can be a parent, best friend, boss, director, or spiritual advisor that gives us strength to make the right choice or at least ones that will not harm us or others in any way. Kermit is that person to the Muppets as he keeps them grounded to reality. I have many who I trust and go to as it is who I am. Whether it is my parents, fiancé, family member or manager, I need all aspects of a thought to be in my mind and heart before making the right choice. So next time you make a choice without any thought, remember it may not be just you that is affected. Live your life, live it fully, and live it with strength and knowledge that you have someone or more there to keep you well in many facets.
RATING 4.5/5
Follow my entertainment adventures throughout Southern California on Twitter @SCThrillsMarc.
When ‘The Fast and the Furious’ came out thirteen years ago, the film opened up a new world that we rarely got a glimpse into: street racing. It was a popular past time in many cities, but due to the illegal nature of it all, it wasn’t something that the mainstream was really picking up on. But as time as gone on, the sport is still popular, but ‘The Fast and the Furious’ franchise has moved away from the street racing scene, instead turning its sites on heists and action. So it was actually fun to return back to basics with the new film, ‘Need For Speed’, based on the EA video game series, and starring Aaron Paul, hot off the ending of his hit series, ‘Breaking Bad’, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, and Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi. The film, directed by Scott Waugh, is a back to basics, revenge driven tale, full of fast cars, fun chases, and a whole lot of cheese.
Tobey Marshall (Paul) is trying his best to keep his father’s car shop afloat after he passes away. His money is low, his moral is too, but he’s bent on finding a way to make sure the shop stays open. When a guy from his past, Dino Brewster (Cooper), comes and offers to a way to help, Marshall has a hard time saying no. But when tensions run high, and Brewster feels betrayed, he decides to take an all or nothing approach to the money he owes Marshall: on the road. The race quickly turns south when Dino purposefully hits Marshall’s friend, flipping the car and killing him. Dino flees, covering his tracks, and Marshall is left to face the crimes for his friend’s murder. He is sent away to prison for two years, and when he comes out, all he can feel is the need for vengeance, and the need for speed.
While the film may be as basic in plot as many can come, there’s something about its simplicity that really works in its favor. ‘Need For Speed’ isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, it’s just trying to make us enjoy it again. The man on a mission for vengeance really isn’t something that audiences seem to tire of, and it makes sense to frame a movie like this. That’s why it was so wise to get an actor who we could enjoy, and who could elevate the film’s simple premise, and make it fun. Aaron Paul may seem like an odd choice, especially after his turn in the hit series, ‘Breaking Bad’, but he’s a perfect fit for this scorned man who just wants to make things right. He has a lot of gravitas, but while being a man of few words, which harkens me back to the world of Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name, or more recently, Ryan Gosling in the film, ‘Drive’. While Paul isn’t going to be as iconic as those aforementioned characters, he fits that vein, and it works for him. Thankfully, the supporting cast is fun as well. Scott Mescudi, who plays Tobey’s best friend Benny is actually pretty charming. It seems like he’s playing a lot of himself in the role, but it works. He and Paul play really well off each other, and that’s really what matters, and makes any of Mescudi’s lesser moments easier to handle. Imogen Poots is actually pretty wonderful as Julia, the girl who ends up being stuck in the middle of Tobey’s mission, and she works very well with Paul. Their chemistry feels natural, and that makes the relationship really wonderful. But it’s Dominic Cooper as Dino that is the most fun, because Cooper just seems to be hamming it up. His villain is just so ridiculous, and you can tell that Cooper is really enjoying himself in the role. There’s really nothing more to his villain than just to be bad, and Cooper plays that one dimensionality perfectly.
Video game movies have had a very bad reputation, with so many turning out so poorly, but with a film of this nature, the only way to go is up. The film takes what has worked for the game franchise for so long, the chases, and made them the stars of the film. They take center stage here, and handled very well by director Scott Waugh. One thing that really makes them special, and really stand out ahead of the pack, is the lack of CGI in the film. All the chases were filmed with real cars, as were the stunts, so everything feels real and authentic, which is so rare these days. There’s just something about a throwback films like this that really make films so much fun. The chases are really well shot, brining that authentic racing feel to the film, which makes it so interesting. The crashes feel real, the close calls, the narrow escapes, and the quick correction of course gives the film a lot of tension, something you wouldn’t normally expect. It’s more just about how real some of it feels, as ridiculous as the situations surrounding them may be. The mid-film freeway chase, which starts with Tobey trying to re-recruit his friends to help him stands out clearly as my favorite of the film. It’s the most well done chase, and has a lot of jaw droppingly cool moments, including a rather ingenious way of escaping the cops.
‘Need For Speed’ really isn’t out to win any awards. It’s meant to be a throwback vengeance film, wrapped in a shiny car packaging. For the first time in a long time, it’s easy to say we actually have a decent video game movie on our hands. It’s a rare thing, so it’s good to see it works so well. The cast is great, led by Paul, who really seems to be firing on all cylinders, and bolstered by a great supporting cast. This movie is just fun. Nothing more, nothing less, and Scott Waugh delivers it in spades. Sometimes, the simplest of films can be the most satisfying, and ‘Need For Speed’ fits that mold. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but it just wants you to have a good time at the theater again, and it does it’s job well.
Building on the success of the recently released stop-motion animated film “Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story,” the new Vinylmation: Create Your Own app lets fans express themselves by designing virtual Vinylmation figures. After selecting a 3D Mickey or Minnie Mouse figure to decorate, users can experiment with paint, accessories and decal patterns. Completed creations become a part of the user’s personal collection and can also be exported to the device’s camera role.
Vinylmation: Create Your Own is available for free on iOS and Android. You can also download “Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story” for free from Google Play.
Tweet an image of your Vinylmation: Create Your Own design @DisneyInteract using #BlankandBow for a chance to win a “Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story” prize-pack and be featured on the Disney Interactive blog!
Do you love the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom? How about enjoying a similar experience at Epcot with the new Illuminations Dessert Party?
Now you can make your visit to nearby Epcot extra sweet with tempting treats, spirited drinks and a VIP view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Savor international desserts and wines from around the World Showcase in an intimate, exclusive setting AND enjoy a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon as it erupts in color and sound during the Epcot nighttime fireworks spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth!
The Illuminations Dessert Parties will be held Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7:45 PM to 9:20 PM. Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit. The cost is $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for children, prices includes tax. Park admission is required (and not included). Reservations are available as of March 12, 2014 beginning with the March 15, 2014 Illuminations Dessert Party. Yum!
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!
Starbucks Coffee Company and the Disneyland Resort announced the opening of a new company owned Starbucks location at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif., for the millions of guests visiting Disneyland Resort from all over the world each year. This store will be the first of four to be operated by Starbucks across Disney properties in the United States and will serve as a destination for guests looking to relax and recharge as part of their visit.
“This store is a reflection of two iconic brands coming together to offer their customers the kind of high quality experience they expect in a way that embodies the unique passion of each, ” said Arthur Rubinfeld, chief creative officer and president, global innovation for Starbucks. “Collaborating with Disney offered us the opportunity to create a unique moment of connection for our customers in a way that evokes the magic that their guests expect.”
The new Downtown Disney location will bring one of Starbucks most engaging experiences to customers with technology and content designed specifically for this store. This includes introducing customers to the story behind Starbucks coffee projected across a 10-foot video installation in addition to a first-of-its-kind interactive touch screen that will inspire moments of playful creativity for even the youngest visitors.
The store will also offer some of the rarest coffees available as part of the Starbucks Reserve® coffee line and Clover® brewing system. This sustainably built to LEED standards location will include an outdoor patio designed around a native tree, reclaimed wood siding and a living, green wall with more than 1,000 plants in the shape of a coffee cup that serves as a backdrop to capturing memories for visiting guests.
“Guests visit Disney parks and resorts around the world to share experiences with their friends and families and to create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Daniel Delcourt, vice president of Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney. “This new location at Downtown Disney will appeal to their love of Starbucks, and provide yet another memorable experience at the Disneyland Resort.”
Starbucks opened its first location at a Disney resort in 2009 in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris with an innovative concept store that earned LEED platinum certification. The company also has worked with Disney to offer Starbucks signature beverages and pastries at locations inside the theme parks including Disneyland Resort’s Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café at Disney California Adventure park and Market House at Disneyland park; as well as two locations at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida – Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom park and Fountain View at Epcot.
Starbucks and Disney will bring five more Starbucks locations to guests, including: one additional Starbucks-operated location in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort, two Starbucks-operated locations at Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort and two Disney-operated locations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Hold onto your hats and glasses! The wildest ride in the wilderness reopens March 17 with an upgraded track, restoration of the historic Rainbow Ridge Mining Town, new paint on portions of the mountain and updates to the train vehicles. Guests taking a ride on this runaway mine train will discover some new surprises, too.
Along with the new track, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens in 2014 with an enhanced audio system that sharpens the sounds heard by guests on the trains and in the caverns and buildings. Even the wildlife at Big Thunder can be heard more distinctly.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad celebrated its grand opening in September 1979, becoming the third peak in the Disneyland Park “mountain range of thrill rides.” It was preceded by Matterhorn Bobsleds (1959) and Space Mountain (1977) and followed by Splash Mountain (1989).
The attraction’s setting evokes 19th century gold-mining territory, with rugged bedrock and desert cactus. Guests board a mine train for a thrilling, high-speed adventure past the spires and buttes of the old West and into the tunnels and shafts of a dark and mysterious mine.
Since its opening in 1979, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland has carried more than 225 million guests who are warned to “hold onto your hats and glasses” as they prepare to dip and drop into the canyons and caves of the Big Thunder ghost town.
The unusual rock spires of Big Thunder Mountain were inspired by the “hoodoos” of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The tallest spire on Big Thunder Mountain reaches 104 feet.
Objects that may be spotted by guests in and around Big Thunder Mountain include a century-old stamp mill, hand-driven drill, press gears, picks shovels and other artifacts acquired from abandoned mines in Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota and Wyoming, as well as museums and swap meets.
Subsequent versions of the attraction appeared in Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World, Florida in 1980; Tokyo Disneyland Park in 1987 and Disneyland Paris in 1992.
The miniature town of Big Thunder, seen at the end of the attraction, first appeared in 1956 as part of the Rainbow Cavern Mine Train and Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland attractions. Many Disneyland fans still call it by its original name: Rainbow Ridge. The town is said to have been a favorite of Walt Disney, who built miniatures himself as a hobby.
Other items from the Nature’s Wonderland days include the caves of Rainbow Caverns, the rockwork buttes at the entry to Balancing Rock Canyon, and some of the animals – the dynamite-devouring goat, coyotes, possums, snakes, turtles, vultures – who appear among the rocky cliffs surrounding the mine tunnels.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was the first major design project for Walt Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter, whose subsequent projects at Disneyland included the new Fantasyland of 1983, Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones Adventure.
“300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE” delivers a high-impact punch for all lovers of 300 and Zach Snyder. There’s not a dull moment in this fast paced sequel with battle scenes galore! Sexy shot after shot with eye candy for all.
Do not be fooled however. “300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE” isn’t for historians and purists, but rather for an intense rush of battle scenes and cartoonish violence. The film is based off of Frank Miller’s graphic novel like the first “300” and creates a world one should expect. This story takes the visual style, action, and the idea of many nearly naked chiseled Greek-men then puts them out to sea for new battles.
Snyder and Kurt Johnstad created an exciting screenplay with all new characters due to the ending of the first “300” and builds of the original Spartan pride without cramming the “Sparta” down audiences throats. The story doesn’t feel forced yet remains fast and thrilling throughout thanks to Noam Murrow’s (“Smart People”) epic-film directorial debut.
“300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE” sees Greek general Thermistokles, SULLIVAN STAPLETON (“Gangster Squad”) leading the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, RODRIGO SANTORO, and Artemisia played by the gorgeous EVA GREEN, vengeful fierce female commander of the Persian navy.
Green really kicks this story up a notch or three! Not only is her story interesting but her character overall presence is captivating and incredibly sexy. Get ready some steamy scenes between her and Stapleton. Here you see that this is truly a flick to see more for entertainment value then any historical significance or deep substance. It’s just downright hot and action-packed.
It will be good to note that this really falls under the same ridiculous blood shedding style of Quentin Tarantino’s films as him and Frank Miller have collaborated in the past. This isn’t meant to be realistic. In fact, you may need to suspend your disbelief more than the film tells you to. The blood splatters along the logo don’t even come close to reaching the magnitude of the amount of blood to expect in this film. By the end you you will have become numb to the violence creating a lackluster of excitement that should come from it.
The similar effect happens with the stunning 3D effects that are in place a little too often. For instance, at the beginning you’ll see every dust particle reflecting all types of light creating depth of each scene, however it becomes distracting as this effect is used in every single scene. It was cool for awhile, but later I found myself just wanting to see an unobstructed view of the shot. I’ll admit though, the film in it’s entirety is frankly beautiful. If you dislike the HDR look of photos though, this may just annoy you.
The films first half remains a little slow, but stays action-packed from then on. While I found “300” fun, I found it uninspiring. I was worried “RISE OF AN EMPIRE” would be a quick couple of ram bam fights and minimum story and without something to takeaway. Luckily, the film is so much more and the right length. Any fan of Snyder or Miller or even epic-battle films needs to take a night off from the real world and see it. Bring the girlfriend, she’ll have plenty to drool over too.
The Walt Disney Studios today unveiled its exclusive cloud-based digital movie service, Disney Movies Anywhere. This all-new app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Web experience enables consumers to discover, purchase, manage, and watch movies from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel at home and on the go. iTunes is the premier digital movie provider for Disney Movies Anywhere.
The debut of Disney Movies Anywhere coincides with the digital release of Disney’s hit film “Frozen” and features Disney’s library of over 400 active digital titles. In addition, for a limited time, Disney Movies Anywhere users who activate and connect their Disney Movies Anywhere account to their iTunes account will receive a free digital copy of Disney•Pixar’s animated classic “The Incredibles.”
“Disney Movies Anywhere offers an exceptional consumer experience built around some of the most beloved and popular entertainment brands in the world,” said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. “This unique technology underscores Disney’s commitment to meeting our consumers where they are with the content they want, and we’re thrilled to debut with iTunes, the #1 digital media retailer in the world.”
As a trusted creator of premium entertainment experiences for the whole family, Disney is committed to making it easier than ever for consumers to dive in and grow their digital movie libraries. In a seamless and family-friendly experience, Disney Movies Anywhere unlocks digital content across platforms and devices, enabling access to user-owned Disney digital content and movies in the Disney Movies Anywhere ecosystem and through iTunes.
With an easy-to-use interface, consumers can explore live-action and animated films from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel; watch exclusive content and bonus features; preview upcoming offerings; and more. Users can simply connect their iTunes account to their Disney Movies Anywhere account to begin populating their Disney digital movie locker and watch movies online and on their devices. Featuring simultaneous access on multiple devices, Disney Movies Anywhere enables consumers to stream and download Disney movies on their iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Apple TV (through iCloud or using AirPlay). In addition, Disney Movies Anywhere functions as a streaming movie service when users log in to the website on their desktop or laptop computers (Mac or PC).
“Disney Movies Anywhere is an adaptable digital ecosystem designed to help consumers consolidate their Disney movie collections and enjoy them for years to come,” said Jamie Voris, Chief Technology Officer, The Walt Disney Studios. “The beauty of this technology is that it enables us to work with iTunes and future provider partners to ensure movie lovers have streamlined access to all of their favorite Disney titles no matter which device they are on. The intuitive layout of the website and app creates an easy and enjoyable browsing environment for the whole family.”
Since 2008, Disney has included codes in select DVD and Blu-ray products redeemable for digital copies of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films. Users can now redeemthese codes through Disney Movies Anywhere, and Digital Copy titles previously redeemed in Disney Movie Rewards or via iTunes will automatically be active in both Disney Movies Anywhere and iTunes once a user logs into Disney Movies Anywhere and connects their iTunes account. Additionally, for the first time, consumers can now earn Disney Movie Rewards points for their digital purchases through Disney Movies Anywhere going forward.
Disney Movies Anywhere’s functionality is built upon Disney’s proprietary digital rights locker, KeyChest.
With nary a hint of superhero fatigue in sight, Marvel continues their domination of the cinematic blockbuster landscape with the incredibly inventive Thor: The Dark World. While you’d think that it would be hard to continue crafting stories in this genre that feel fresh, Marvel has figured out a way to continue their epicly intertwined stories while evolving the very genre of each film in the series. Containing equal elements of fantasy and science-fiction, Thor pushes not only the Thor franchise into exciting new directions, but singlehandedly helps with the rebranding of the entire Marvel universe.
It’s hard to believe that the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Robert Downey, Jr. captured by terrorists, trapped in a cave. From that moment, we have slowly been introduced to a world that spans not only the entire planet, not just Outer Space, but multiple realms of existence. As the first Thor established, there are nine realms, all existing independent of each other, but accessible through various means. This film opens with a preamble on par with Peter Jackson’s original opening to the Lord of the Rings. It is in this sequence that we are introduced to Malekith, the villain of the film, who’s origins span thousands of years. As I watched this opening, I couldn’t help but be awed at just how far Marvel has taken these characters, and how impressive it is that they have made this accessible to general audiences.
Part of that accessibility has to come from the amazing casting of each and every one of their films. Obviously, Robert Downey, Jr. is a standout as Iron Man. That being said, I couldn’t imagine a more compelling Thor than that of Chris Hemsworth. Likewise, Loki just wouldn’t have the same impact without the multifaceted performance of Tom Hiddleston. People often talk about chemistry between romantic leads, but chemistry can be so much more than love. With an antagonistic respect just under the surface, there is undeniable chemistry between these two brothers, and while it may not be romantic in nature (thank goodness), it is imperative to the success of this story.
It goes without saying that the film is filled with action, amazing special effects, and wondrous new worlds to explore. Asgard looks better than ever, with greater detail in every shot and a production design that is just gorgeous to watch. Whether admiring the majesty of the city itself, or the futuristicly dank cells in the dungeons below, there is a detail to the film’s designs that is unsurpassed in the Marvel universe.
Now that the film is on Blu-Ray, it becomes even more apparent just how much work went into the creation of this amazing film. After finishing the film, I found myself jumping back forth between various moments that I just had to get another look at. It’s a beautiful world that has been created, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to tie in to further Marvel stories.
Bonus Clip: Loki The Avenger (Deleted Scene)
As for the extras, there are some fun features, but nothing too exciting. The most interesting feature is a new short film entitled “All Hail the King.” Featuring Ben Kingsley’s return as “The Mandarin,” this film opens up the Marvel universe even more than I realized they were planning. I’m not sure how this film is going to come into play down the road, but they have definitely set up some interesting dominoes that need to be knocked down at some point.
There is also a standard making of feature, noteworthy for giving us a glimpse of Tom Hiddleston’s audition as Thor. I can’t imagine the alternate reality where that casting occurred, but it’s a fascinating look at what might have been. While most of this feature is a standard self-congratulatory talking-heads segment, there are some interesting looks behind the scenes of various setpieces, and looks at the overall development of the film through production. There are also several deleted and extended scenes, along with a quick look at the extremely entertaining score of the film. Finally, the extras are rounded out with a completely unfunny gag reel.
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the direction the Marvel franchise is going. With Captain America 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy just around the corner, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for these films. If the quality is maintained to the level of this film, we are in for a very exciting finish to Phase II of the Marvel franchise.
Plot Summary: An epic rebirth to Toho’s iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, pits the world’s most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
