While I tend to over-analyze almost every movie I see, there are some films that are just immune to this sort of critical viewing. This isn’t meant as a slight on these films, but rather a perspective on the film’s intentions. For instance, take the new Disney film, Planes. As the marketing makes abundantly clear, this is a film “from above the world of Cars,” despite the fact that this is NOT a Pixar film. While Pixar tends to dig deep under it’s narratives to explore detailed thematic material, Planes exists simply to entertain. The characters all fulfill stereotypical “types,” the story follows every plot beat you would expect, and everybody gets their “happily ever after.” This is a film that kids will want to watch again and again, and that parents won’t hate. That may not be the most glowing endorsement, but I don’t think it aspires to much more than that.
Dusty Crophopper is a cropduster with a fear of heights. However, he longs for more out of life than the repetitive crop-dusting that has defined who he is. So it is that he finds himself competing in a race across the world. Will he overcome the competition, along with his phobia, to win the big race? Of course he will, but as with so many things, it is all about the journey. As the underdog of the race, his good heart helps him endear himself to the world, along with most of his fellow racers. In telling a story with villains, comic relief, and of course, the good-hearted trainer with a secret, the screenwriter hits every cliché effectively, without it ever feeling forced. It’s a simple film, but it’s fun.
I have to admit, for almost going direct-to-video, there is some surprisingly strong animation in this film. Considering that the premise of the film involves a race across the world, we see a variety of different locations, ranging from Germany, to Mexico, the Himalayas, and even the Taj Mahal. Much like the Cars series, the world is completely fleshed out as if belonging solely to these anthropomorphic modes of transport without a human to be seen. Some of the design work is quite striking, and the environments are completely detailed as well. There are sequences in snow storms, under the ocean, and even a gripping flashback to a Naval war battle. I was never tempted to look away from the screen, as there was always some new detail or aspect of the world to see.
Bonus Clip: Franz’s Song
It’s just a shame that the film is so formulaic. However, kids won’t care, and this is what I mean by the film being “critic-proof.” It’s entertaining enough, and kids will really enjoy themselves. Having said that, it’s obvious that when putting together the Bonus Features, there wasn’t a great expectation that kids would want to sit through any substantial extras. There’s some deleted scenes, including a song featuring a German bipolar plane/car, Franz. There’s also a look at all the racers, and most interesting of all, a feature detailing the director’s history with aviation. We see him teaching his kids about their family lineage, and the connection they have to airplanes. They tour museums, fly in planes, and make it very clear that the concept of aviation is very important to their family. While not at all insightful about the film itself, it’s a beautiful look at the director’s passion for the subject material, and makes the film itself feel slightly more important than it really is.
Overall, this is a completely forgettable film that doesn’t aspire towards anything more than that. Despite a great cast including Dane Cook who voices Dusty with the sarcastic edge that he brings to his comedy, Terri Hatcher and Brad Garrett as his pit crew, Stacey Keach as the mentor with a secret, and even John Cleese as part of the competition, the film never amounts to much. It’s a solid cast for such an inconsequential film. Having said that, I was entertained for the 91 minutes it was on, and you could definitely do much worse. This is nowhere close to Pixar standards, but it gets the job done.
DreamWorks Pictures’ “Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, when the authenticity of the world brought a new level of intensity to the action on-screen. Tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing, the story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes — one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption. Based on the most successful racing video game franchise ever with over 140 million copies sold, “Need for Speed” captures the freedom and excitement of the game in a real-world setting, while bringing to life the passion for the road that has made our love of cars so timeless.
The film centers around Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a blue-collar mechanic who races muscle cars on the side in an unsanctioned street-racing circuit. Struggling to keep his family-owned garage afloat, he reluctantly partners with the wealthy and arrogant ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). But just as a major sale to car broker Julia Bonet (Imogen Poots) looks like it will save Tobey’s shop, a disastrous race allows Dino to frame Tobey for a crime he didn’t commit, and sending Tobey to prison while Dino expands his business out west.
Two years later, Tobey is released and set on revenge — but he knows his only chance to take down his rival Dino is to defeat him in the high-stakes race known as De Leon — the Super Bowl of underground racing. However to get there in time, Tobey will have to run a high-octane, action-packed gauntlet that includes dodging pursuing cops coast-to-coast as well as contending with a dangerous bounty Dino has put out on his car. With the help of his loyal crew and the surprisingly resourceful Julia, Tobey defies odds at every turn and proves that even in the flashy world of exotic supercars, the underdog can still finish first.
“Need for Speed” is presented by DreamWorks Pictures, produced by Patrick O’Brien, John Gatins and Mark Sourian, and directed by Scott Waugh. The screenplay is by George Gatins. The story is by George Gatins & John Gatins, and, based on the video game series created by Electronic Arts. The film releases in U.S. theaters on March 14, 2014.
On Friday, November 8th, I attended the press conference for the upcoming Disney film “Saving Mr. Banks” at the beautiful historic Beverly Hills Hotel. I was fortunate enough to see the film prior to the press conference at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank (where much of the story and filming took place), and the Hotel was also relevant because it was featured in the film. As I pulled up the long driveway off Sunset Blvd, I felt as though I had suddenly been transported 50 years into the past. This was going to be a treat.
The movie tells the life story of P.L. Travers, the author behind “Mary Poppins,” and her resistance against selling the story’s rights to Walt Disney. Walt tried for 20 years to woo and convince the author to let him make “Mary Poppins” into a motion picture. But P.L. Travers feared the story would become “Disney-fied” and lose its intended meaning. Through the course of the movie, we see pre-production on the film in 1961 Burbank simultaneously mixed in with flashbacks to P.L. Travers’ childhood in 1906 Australia. This dual-storyline allows the audience to learn the significance of the story in her life, and what inspired her to write it.
The film stars two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers and two-time Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks as Walt Disney himself. The film co-stars Colin Farrell as the author’s father, Robert Goff Travers; Jason Schwartzman & B.J. Novak as songwriters Richard & Robert Sherman; and Bradley Whitford as screenwriter Don DaGradi. Also at the conference was director John Lee Hancock, writer Kelly Marcel, and producer Alison Owen. Those who also co-starred in the film, but were not present, were Paul Giamatti, Ruth Wilson, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker, and newcomer Annie Rose Buckley.
When asked about playing P.L. Travers, a gruff character that is often difficult to read, Emma Thompson replied, “Is it not rather nice for all of us who’ve been so well brought up and we’re all so bloody polite all the time, Americans particularly, to see someone being rude? It’s bliss, isn’t it? I think we act quite a lot of the time in conflict with what we really feel.” “She was like going into a maze. And around some corners you’d find this terrible monster and around another corner you’d find a sort-of beaten child. She was the most extraordinary combination of things and I suppose that was the scary thing because in films…we often get to play people who are emotionally or at least morally consistent in some way. And she wasn’t inconsistent in any way, you would not know what you would get from one moment to the next.”
Tom Hanks is the first actor to play Walt Disney in a motion picture. Many believe that this is an impossible role to take on, given his iconic status. But Tom did his best, and while he admittedly says he bears little resemblance, he tried to capture Walt’s essence. “There is a bit of a vocal cadence and a rhythm that Mr. Disney had and it took a while to figure out. But a lot of the little anecdotes that we found, specifically from the likes of Richard Sherman, were already in the screenplay. For example, Walt’s cough…you know Walt smoked three packs a day and Richard Sherman said ‘You always knew when Walt was coming to visit your office ‘cause you could hear him coughing from down by the elevator.’ So you’re able to put that kind of stuff into it and it just ends up being one of the delightful cards in the deck.” “Richard Sherman was a never-ending fountain of stories, facts, anecdotes, bits and pieces of everything that had happened. Diane Disney Miller (his daughter) gave me unlimited access to the archives and the Museum in San Francisco. We made a couple of visits there so I had a lot of video and audio that I could work with.” “He believed everything that he said about his projects, he completely embraced the possibilities of wonder in the movies he was going to make as well as the rides he was going to come up with and the things he was going to build. I had a great roadmap in order to search it out.”
Colin Farrell only appears in the 1906 timeline of the film, and his character’s actions and battle with alcoholism directly influence the creation of the book “Mary Poppins.” When asked about working with the young actress Annie Rose Buckley who portrayed P.L. as a young girl, Farrell had only positive things to say. “She was just a dream to be around. I know people say you shouldn’t work with children or animals, but you most ONLY work with children because you work eight hours a day [laughter]. And she was a dream, from what I could tell she didn’t exude ambition and sometimes kids do of course, which is not to say that she’s not ambitious and that would be fine if she was. But she didn’t exude ambition and she didn’t seem too phased by any of it. She was just a really sweet presence to be around and to see how beautiful and open her face was on the monitor. And just in being around her was kind of like…the most exquisite of canvases upon which the later life of P.L. Travers was born as she witnessed what her father was putting himself through and thereby putting everyone else in the family through as well.”
“Mary Poppins,” now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, has become a fan favorite for generation after generation. The movie won five Academy Awards® out of its thirteen nominations. When asked about its significance in the actors’ lives, Jason Schwartzman spoke about the impact it had on his childhood. “It meant a lot to me growing up. I saw it a lot of times and in fact, I knew most all of the songs from the movie. In fact, that’s what I remembered the most. It’s funny, just how much when you’re little, a movie and things can affect you. When I got the part in the movie, I started looking through archives and photos and you’d see all these behind the scenes snapshots of the movie being made. It was only then that it occurred to me that it was shot in Burbank, because I experienced it as a young person thinking it was in England. It was only recently that I realized it was all made up. That’s how deep into my body it had gone and how much I believed it was all real. And in many ways…I wish I hadn’t ever seen those photos of Cherry Tree Lane on Burbank Blvd. It means a lot to me, this movie, I loved it very much.”
B.J. Novak also chimed in on what it meant to him. “I thought I had seen ‘Mary Poppins.’ I knew all the songs, I knew all the characters. I had absorbed it without ever having seen it, I didn’t realize that until we all went to your (Farrell’s) house and watched it. And I realized there’s so many scenes and complicated and dark shadings and directions that I had never associated with that film. It’s a very…the film itself is so much odder than we remember and so much more complicated, let alone the story of the film when you know the context of it. So it was something for me…all these Disney films feel like they are in your DNA growing up. These songs, the Sherman Brother’s songs especially, you just feel they came from Heaven fully formed. We went to the archives and saw drafts with different lyrics and different script pages, and it’s so odd to think that this ever could have been any different.”
One of the film’s most nostalgic moments is when Walt Disney invites P.L. Travers to Disneyland, in an effort to remind her why he wants to make the film. Seldom has a movie had the chance to film inside the Anaheim property, and never has a movie featured Walt Disney as a character when doing so. Director John Lee Hancock talked about what it was like to have this unique opportunity. “We were very prepared for Disneyland, kind of military precision, they were very helpful down there. We knew when we could come in before it opened and we knew at 9:17am we needed to be on Main Street and ‘here’ by ‘there.’ And we went down there and scouted it many many times with lenses because if you would pan ‘this far’ over here would be something from 1981, pan to the left and its 1969. So trying to solve those problems without spending money and being there on Main Street before the park opened, and the sun is just coming up and everyone is moving stuff around. And I remember a moment there where…I thought, ‘Damn, this is cool. I’ve got a great job.’ And then I looked over and there was Tom sitting there and I go, ‘This is Walt Disney!’ It’s all too great…it was fantastic.”
Overall, the cast seemed delighted to have been able to make “Saving Mr. Banks.” Given the significance of “Mary Poppins” and Disney-culture in today’s world, the film was a fitting tribute to a largely unknown backstory. Fans of the book, the original film, and Disney history will be delighted to see it brought to life. I anticipate that the film will earn many nominations come awards season. The film hits limited theaters December 13th, with a wide release on December 20th. Stayed tuned for my full movie review of “Saving Mr. Banks” in the coming weeks.
ABC Family’s annual “25 Days of Christmas,” cable’s biggest programming event of the year, will return with 25 continuous days of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family. From December 1–25, viewers can ring in the holidays with original movies, holiday specials and returning favorites.
This year, “25 Days of Christmas” will feature the world premiere of the ABC Family original movie, “Holidaze,” starring Jennie Garth (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) and Cameron Mathison (“All My Children”). Premiering Sunday, December 8 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT), “Holidaze” follows Mel (Garth), a high-powered executive who is sent back to her hometown to convince its residents to allow her company to build a new discount store. The townspeople—led by Mel’s former fiancé Carter (Mathison)—are vehemently opposed to it. Desperate to get out of town and back to her “real” life, Mel takes a spill and wakes up in an alternate universe where she never left home and is married to Carter. Once determined to leave her small town life behind, Melody must make sense of her new life and decide if you truly can go home again.
The celebrations continue with the holiday-themed premieres of ABC Family’s hit comedies, “Melissa & Joey” and “Baby Daddy,” airing Wednesday, December 11 (8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT).
Making their ABC Family debuts this month are “Deck the Halls” on Wednesday, December 4 (10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT), “Winnie the Pooh” on Saturday, December 14 (8:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” on Saturday, December 14 (8:00–9:45 PM ET/PT; Encore Presentation 9:45–11:30 PM ET/PT).
A new generation of viewers can enjoy the Rankin Bass holiday classics, such as “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” Thursday, December 5 (6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT), “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” Friday, December 6 (6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) and “The Year Without a Santa Claus” Tuesday, December 10 (9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT). Other returning favorites include “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” starting Sunday, December 1 (7:00–9:30 PM ET/PT); “The Santa Clause” films, starting Monday, December 2 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT); “Scrooged,” starting Tuesday, December 3 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT); “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” starting Tuesday, December 3 (10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT); “The Polar Express” Thursday, starting December 5 (7:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” starting Thursday, December 5 (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT).
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Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are filled with an abundance of merriment, tradition and new experiences this year, including the debut of “World of Color − Winter Dreams.” The all-new version of “World of Color” in Disney California Adventure Park brings the spirit of the holidays to life with music, humor and the joy of the season. Check-out our video from November 14th Premiere.
Hosted by Olaf the snowman, from the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature “Frozen,” the “World of Color − Winter Dreams” show combines new animation with classic winter scenes from beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar films, such as “Bambi,” “Fantasia” and “Toy Story.” The show includes new music and special effects, including new methods for utilizing the massive “stage” of water, color and light that comes to life with the power of nearly 1,200 fountains.
Adding an element of social media, the voices of singers from all 50 United States appear in the “Glow” carol, which opens the show. The participants signed up on a special “World of Color” Honor Choir website, operated by the Disneyland Resort and Grammy®-winning composer Eric Whitacre, who has joined hundreds of voices online in “virtual choirs” that feature singers performing in front of their computer webcams. Other Disney fans designed holiday cards online to appear in a “World of Color - Winter Dreams” sequence celebrating the spirit of the season.
Also new in Disney California Adventure, “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” takes over Paradise Gardens with a daily celebration inspired by the warmth and joyous spirit of Latino culture and holiday traditions. From Nov. 15 through Jan. 6, 2014, “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” offers special activities such as live Latino music, dance lessons, crafts and face painting for children and a “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party.” The festivities also include traditional holiday foods and appearances by some popular Disney characters. The grand finale of “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” will be the special celebration of Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes) Jan. 3 through 6, 2014 in Paradise Garden.
These new experiences join a merry lineup of Disneyland Resort holiday traditions that begin Nov. 12, including “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks and snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park, plus special seasonal décor on Buena Vista Street, along with whimsical décor in Cars Land and a bug’s land in Disney California Adventure. Characters also make holiday appearances and the skippers of Jingle Cruise add some new holiday fun.
From Disney comes “Maleficent”—the untold story of Disney’s most iconicvillain from the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty.” A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land.
Looking to escape the cold weather this Winter? Escape to sunny Southern California and the Disneyland Resort for a few days! Save up to 25% on rooms at a Disneyland Resort Hotel most Sunday-Thursday nights between Jan. 5-Apr. 10, 2014. This offer is valid for the 3 Disneyland Resort Onsite Hotels only: Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Offer must be booked by Jan. 28, 2014 and as with most Disneyland Resort offers, discounts are available on a first come first serve basis. Be sure to book early for best availability! Visit Cars Land and ride the Matterhorn while paying a more affordable price for your vacation.
Add Disneyland Resort park tickets and a Dine in the Magic Dining Plan to upgrade your discounted Disneyland Resort room into a package. You can also add excursions to the beach, Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, Legoland, San Diego and more to your Disneyland Resort vacation package!
When Heather isn’t busy sharing Planning tips about Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, 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!
Here is a list of deals available at the Walt Disney World® Resort, the Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Aulani, Adventures by Disney®, Sea World and Universal Orlando Resort, courtesy of Destinations in Florida. Feel free to contact them for a free quote today or use the Price Your Vacation form in the Sidebar.
Disney Discounts
Walt Disney World® Resort
● Play Stay and Dine…and Save Up To $600 at the Walt Disney World Resort®: Discounts room, tickets and dining plan. Must have tickets for length of stay to get that portion discounted (staying 4 days/3 nights must have 4 day ticket, etc) For Most Stays January 5-March 5 2014 3 Night Minimum Stay Required. Offer excludes campsites and 3-bedroom villas and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. MUST BOOK BY DECEMBER 31st
● Save Up To 35% on Stays at Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels: For stays most nights Jan. 5 – March 5, 2014 and March 14 – April, 12, 2014: Values 20% off, Moderates 25% off, Deluxe 35% off, Deluxe Villas 35% off. Excludes 3-bedroom villas and campsites and is not valid at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid rooms or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. MUST BOOK BY DECEMBER 31st
● Florida Resident Fall & Winter Rates: Florida Residents can take advantage of great rates on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays through December 14, just in time for the holiday season.
● Military Discount: Active duty and retired members of the US military can get specially discounted rooms at Official Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels most nights from Sept. 29 2013 through Sept. 27 2014 time-frame. Service members can also get up to six 4-Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper® Option for just $169.00, Four-Day Water Park and More Tickets for $169.00 or Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets plus the Water Park and More Option for $198.00 at their base ticket sales office.
● Intro to Disney: purchase a 3-night, 2-day Magic Your Way Room and Ticket Package PLUS Quick Service Dining at a select Disney Value Resort hotel (in a standard room, excluding Disney’s Art of Animation Resort) for $999* for stays most nights Jan. 5 – Feb. 12, 2014 (based on a family of 3). Ask about other great rates for other lengths of stay, alternative family configurations and other Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights Jan. 5 – March 5, 2014. Book by Dec. 31, 2013.
Disneyland®
• NEW!! Save Up to 25% on Rooms at a Disneyland® Resort Hotel: Save up to 25% on rooms at a Disneyland® Resort Hotel most Sunday through Thursday nights from Jan. 5 – April 10, 2014. Check for offers for other days. Book through Jan. 28, 2014.
Disney Cruise Line®
● Two Disney Vacations in One; US $789 Per Person: It’s all the Magic of Disney Cruise Line®. All the Enchantment of Walt Disney World Resort. And all of your dreams come true! Package components include: 3-Night Disney Magic® sailings from January 17 – February 7, 3-Night resort stay at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort (other resorts are bookable but will affect the price per person), 3-day Park Hopper® Theme Park Ticket, Transfers between Orlando International Airport, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line terminal. Book through December 31, 2013
● Special Castaway Club Member Offer: Disney Cruise Line® Castaway Club Members can receive a US $100 onboard credit when they book a 4- or 5-night Disney Magic® cruise departing from Miami Nov. 1 – Dec. 18, 2013 (excluding Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, 2013). They can use their credit for a variety of onboard activities and experiences, including spa treatments, shopping, adults-only dining and more!
● NEW!! Disney Cruise Line Canadian Resident Offer: Canadian residents save 20% off prevailing rates (as quoted on the Disney Cruise Line® website) on 3 and 4 night Bahamian sailings aboard the Disney Magic for most sailings from Jan. 10 – Feb. 28, 2014 (excluding Jan. 17, 20, Feb. 14, 17, 2014) for categories 4A – 11B.
Aulani
● Get 4 nights for the price of 3 plus breakfast daily for 2 at the newly expanded Aulani: For a limited time, when you purchase a minimum 4-night stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, you’ll get the 4th night free* – including breakfast daily for two adults at the new Ulu Cafe. Book this offer by Jan. 15, 2014, for stays most nights Jan. 5 – April 7, 2014.
For more info and to book your travel, use the Price Your Vacation Form in the Sidebar or click here.
Universal Orlando Resort Discounts
● Save up to 30% on Universal Resorts: Discounts begin at 3 nights at any of the three Universal Orlando® Resort deluxe hotels during the best days to vacation. Plus take advantage of $150 in hotel savings including discounts on food, drinks, spa treatments and more! Vacation dates include: 11/11 – 12/19, 2013.
● 3rd Night & Day FREE: Limited time vacation offer. Stay at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel you’ll receive your 3rd Night & 3rd Day FREE, 3rd Night FREE† accommodations at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel. 2-Day Base Ticket with 3rd Day FREE (Must be used by 5/22/14) Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens. FREE scheduled transportation between hotel and Universal Orlando. Purchase10/10 – 12/15/13. Valid for travel 11/1 – 12/22/13. U.S. and Canadian Residents only.
● NEW!! SAVE UP TO 25% AT UNIVERSAL’S NEWEST ON-SITE HOTEL – OPENING EARLY 2014: Discounts begin at 4 nights at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, opening early 2014. Travel back to the 1950’s and 60’s for endless family fun at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. With its ideal location and fun retro atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy everything Universal Orlando® Resort has to offer. The value and moderate accommodations feature family suites (sleeping up to 6) with kitchenettes, and standard rooms (sleeping up to 4). Rates valid for travel 9/1 – 10/2/14 and 11/30 – 12/11/14
● Universal 1-Day or 2-Day Pass with Shuttle Transportation: Take a day away from the Disney World Parks 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.
Sea World Discounts
● Add a day at SeaWorld Orlando for just $10: Add a second day at SeaWorld Orlando for just $10 more within 7 days of your first visit.
● SeaWorld Orlando $50 Weekday Ticket: Enjoy 1 visit to SeaWorld Orlando weekdays Monday thru Friday beginning August 1, 2013 through December 20, 2013. Advance purchase only. Not available at the park. Valid for 1 visit to SeaWorld Orlando on weekdays only. Ticket expires December 20, 2013.
● Expedition Antarctica at SeaWorld®: Experience the Freeze! Package includes free Quick Queue (front-of-the-line) at SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, dining at the Expedition Café, a free photo and a third hotel night FREE!
● SeaWorld + Aquatica Add Aquatica for just $40: Enjoy unlimited access to the sights and splashes of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™ during your vacation.
● Free Food: Book your Sea World Package at a partner hotel and get the All Day Dining for FREE. Add a day at Aquatica and eat there free, too!
● Kids Free, PLUS 2nd Visit Free, through 12/25: SeaWorld is the place for families this holiday season. And now, enjoy one free kid’s admission (ages 3-9) with each full-paid adult admission ticket.
● Save $10 on Sea World Tickets: Pre-order your Sea World tickets and save $10 off per ticket. You can also print your Sea World tickets, so you do not have to wait in any lines once you arrive to the park. Plus, even better, your 2nd day at Sea World is free!
● 5 Incredible Parks, 1 Ticket, Orlando’s Best Vacation Value: See more for less! This package features the Orlando FlexTicket, offering unlimited admissions to SeaWorld, Aquatica, Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure and Wet’n Wild during your stay. Perfect for your Orlando vacation. Stay at least 5 nights and enjoy the best of Orlando! Plus, free transportation and other great benefits available when you choose an Official Hotel of SeaWorld. Package requires a 10-day advance purchase. Stay a minimum of 5 nights and as an added value, your 5th night is FREE!
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 to book. Make sure to mention that you were referred by Socalthrills.com! Safe travels everyone.
Imagine the building of absolute excitement you experience once walking through the entrance of Disneyland Park and onto Main Street. The music, the people, the Cast Members, and the sound of laughter engulf you with an overwhelming sense of happiness. That is the same feeling you get from being given the opportunity to watch Mary Poppins digitally remastered on the big screen surrounded by Disney actors, actresses, and some of the people who helped make Mary Poppins one of the most iconic films of the 20th century.
The buzz could be felt on the Red Carpet for Mary Poppins AFI Fest 50th Anniversary Commemoration Screening at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday November 9th. We got the chance to interview a few ABC and Disney stars on the Red Carpet such as Jacob Bertrand (Rise of the Guardians, Paranorman)and Albert Tsai (ABC’s Trophy Wife) whom were both super excited with being able to experience Mary Poppins on the big screen for their first time ever viewing the film. Another claimed it was like seeing a 50-year old movie premier but most were more excited to be able to see it on the big screen for the first time.
We also had the chance to speak with Rowan Blanchard who will be playing Riley Matthews in the much anticipated Girl Meets World which starts filming on Monday, November 11th and set to air on Disney Channel in 2014. She was able to give us a bit of a tease insight into Girl Meets World, when asked if the cast of Boy Meets World would make any appearances she said that “what I’ve heard from the executive producer is that hopefully everyone on Boy Meets World will be on Girl Meets World.” Maitland Ward of Boy Meets World was also present for the screening. Rowan was excited to see the Mary Poppins again as she states that she has seen it many times. Her favorite song of the film is ‘Feed the Birds’ which she said she sang a lot when she was 6 years old.
Interestingly enough when we caught up with Richard Sherman who won 2 Oscars for his musical work on Mary Poppins, we asked what song in the film had the biggest impact on his life, he said “Feed the Birds. It was Walt Disney’s favorite song, it was a song that really told the story of what Mary Poppins was all about. But the parents learn that from Mary Poppins that they have to pay attention to their kids. Both parents were so busy and that’s why Mary Poppins was needed.
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Others present at the screen included: Karen Dotrice who played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins, Dick Van Dyke, Sandra Currie (The Hangover Trilogy), Charles Fleischer (Roger Rabbit), Breann Johnson (Red Wing, The Appearing), Calum Worthy (Austin & Ally), Hal Sparks (Lab Rats), Austin North (I Didn’t Do It), Kathryn Beaumont (Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland), Victoria Summer (Saving Mr Banks) and many more!
Disney Interactive has released the winners of the Disney Infinity “Toy Story Challenge” for Toy Box creations that are inspired by one of the most iconic movie franchises and the newest Play Set – Toy Story in Space. Disney Infinity players are clearly big fans of the Toy Story films as this week’s winning Toy Boxes were some of the best overall creations submitted yet. The top global Toy Box of the week is “The BIG Room,” which is a recreation of Andy’s room filed with enemy toys, a mini soccer game and even a racetrack.
Winning submissions include:
– The BIG Room: When the kids are away, the toys will play! A truly remarkable recreation of Andy’s room from Toy Story.
– Woody’s Roundup: Experience the Toy Box mode from Toy Story 3: The Video Game… but this time with Disney Infinity characters!
– Capture Zurg!: Alien invasion! Drop them in the ship’s pen, then capture Zurg at his secret lab and bring him back to the asteroid pen.
– Saving Mr. Rex: Battle the way through Zurgbots and help Mr. Rex escape from Zurg… Be on the look-out for secrets along the way!
– The City Dump: You’ve been thrown away by mistake and must escape the dump. Beware of Lotso’s trickery, or face a fiery demise.
When you’re ready to submit your Toy Box for consideration, follow these directions: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U
· Bring up the Pause Menu and select “Online/Multiplayer.”
· Then select “Toy Box Share” > “Disney’s Toy Boxes” > “Submit to Disney.”
· Follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to give your Toy Box an original name and description. Choose carefully – they will be shown to everybody if your Toy Box is featured.
iPad
· Bring up the Pause Menu and select “Toy Box Share.”
· Then select “Disney’s Toy Boxes” > “Submit to Disney.”
· Follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to give your Toy Box an original name and description. Choose carefully – they will be shown to everybody if your Toy Box is featured
How to download new Toy Boxes:
· Select “Toy Box” from the Disney Infinity Main Menu
· Select “Toy Box Share” and “Disney’s Toy Boxes.”
· There will be a list of all the featured Toy Boxes for players to download.
Fans can rejoice…Marvel Studios has done it again. While many anxiously awaited the return of Tony Stark earlier this year in “Iron Man 3,” the storyline that may be more important to follow is the one that started in 2011’s “Thor.” Here we were introduced to the God of Thunder himself, along with his brother-turned-villain Loki, the main antagonist of that film and “Marvel’s The Avengers” the following year. When we last saw them, Thor was taking the now captured Loki back to their home world of Asgard, which is one of the Nine Realms. Loki had attacked New York City with the help of a powerful weapon called the Tesseract and an extraterrestrial army of Chitauri. But the Avengers defeated him, closing the wormhole into space that allowed the invaders into our atmosphere and seizing Loki in the process. While many on Earth wanted to bring Loki to justice, his brother Thor promised that he would be punished under Asgardian laws for his treasonous acts. They were transported off planet, back to their own realm with the Tesseract in hand. And we, the audience, waited patiently to learn what would happen next.
The release of “Thor: The Dark World” is significant for many different reasons. For starters, it is the first non Iron Man sequel to be released under the Marvel multiphase tentpole. Why is this important you may ask? While “Iron Man 3” was hugely successful earlier this year (currently the highest grossing film of 2013 and #13 all time domestically), it did not do much to advance the overall story arc of the Avengers. Do not get me wrong, I greatly enjoyed the movie. But other than Tony Stark grappling with anxiety issues after the events of New York, I feel as though that film did not do much to build upon the existing plot. Secondly, the settings in which “Thor: The Dark World” and its predecessor take place open up countless opportunities for other Marvel franchises. The scene in the middle of the credits is our first glimpse at 2014’s “Guardians Of The Galaxy,” which many consider to be Marvel’s most ambitious film yet.
Most importantly though, this film brings back the villainous trickster Loki. While everyone roots for the hero in a typical comic book film, it is really the villain we enjoy watching most. Played brilliantly for the third time by Tom Hiddleston, Loki’s personality and motives are even more difficult to pin down this time around. After Asgard is attacked by the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim and their leader Malekith, Thor (played again by Chris Hemsworth) must turn to his recently enslaved brother for help. Although he is hesitant to do so, fearing his brother may betray him again, he is left with no choice. The relationship between Thor and Loki is what makes this franchise work. Hemsworth’s attempts to display his power over others is constantly overshadowed when Hiddleston uses sarcasm and deceit to mess with his plans. It makes it difficult to tell just which side he plays for and what his motive truly is. You can tell that Hiddleston truly enjoys playing the character, as his own natural comedic ability shines with every snarky retort. And Hemsworth really seems to come into his own in this film more so than before, bringing emotion to the title character that many felt was missing.
Thor and Loki are not the only familiar faces returning to the screen in the sequel. Many of the characters that we came to barely know in “Thor,” on both Earth and Asgard, get the chance to grow and develop. In our realm, we get the return of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) as Thor’s love interest, along with her assistant Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Dr. Eric Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård). Back on Asgard, we are reintroduced to the Allfather Odin and his wife Frigga (Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo), both of which were very strong in their roles. Idris Elba was also given a significantly bigger role as Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost entry to Asgard. I was glad to see his character have more than just a few lines, but be an active part in the plot. Also returning were Jaimie Alexander, Ray Stevenson and Tadanobu Asano as Thor’s crew of warriors. New to the cast was Zachary Levi, who replaced the previous actor Josh Dallas. And playing the Dark Elves Malekith and Algrim are Christopher Eccleston and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
“Thor: The Dark World” was not devoid of faults, but I felt the strengths far outweighed the weaknesses. For instance, director Alan Taylor took the experience he gained on HBO’s “Game Of Thrones” to greatly expand the world of Asgard, and this was something I really enjoyed about the film. It looked as though many influences were drawn from that show, as well as the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy, “Lord Of The Rings” and J.J. Abram’s “Star Trek.” The story introduces new environments and locales, expands upon the Asgardian mythology, and places the audience in the middle of some fantastic aerial battle and destruction sequences. However, I feel the film takes a misstep in its overly complex plot. While the Dark Elves’ attempt to bring all Nine Realms together in an effort to destroy them sounds exciting, it did not translate well at the end of the film. I found myself struggling to keep up with what was happening rather than being engrossed in the scene. It was a great idea, but not visually executed well. But this semi-lackluster finale is completely redeemed with the final scene of the movie, a cliffhanger ending that will keep the fan base thirsty for more. Overall, “Thor: The Dark World” is another satisfying entry in the ever-growing Marvel universe. For fans of the previous film as well as “Marvel’s The Avengers,” do not miss it.
Art is an expression, not only that of the heart and mind, but also of the body. In Diana Vishneva: On the Edge, two beautifully choreographed programs takes the stage and leaves the art loving audience member’s hearts pumping with exhilaration.
In “Switch” choreographed by Jean-Christophe Malliot, with music by Danny Elfman, it’s hard to miss the passion that dancers Diana Vishneva, Bernice Coppieters, and Gaetan Morlotti paint on stage. The expression of art bleeds through the stage’s canvas, while the heroine in this act is caught between love, envy, and art. An obvious rift leaves her caught in a struggle of desire and passion. The synergy of Danny Elfman’s scores, the set’s ambiance, along with the choreography illustrates the struggle by the heroine. Her artful dance combined with the symphony of sounds leaves you breathless, an experience that must be had.
After the intermission, you get to experience the wonder of solitude and introspection in “Women in a Room” choreographed by Carolyn Carlson, with music by Giovanni Sollima and Rene Aubry. This act feels very familiar, as no matter who you are, the emotion of the performer is raw and real. Everyone in life has had moments of contemplation, thought and wonder, and Diana Vishneva gives you that feeling in dance. Without words, she expresses that of regret, hope, excitement and sadness. The marriage between the music and dance is definitely on par with what you would expect in those moments of solitude.
Many argue that the complexity of these performances can give the viewer a free range of interpretation allowing the art to depict whatever form they choose, and I must agree. These performances are one for the viewer to interpret, the emotion felt can leave one breathless and wanting more. If you’re ready to have your mind blown full of thought and wonder, while enjoying a night out appreciating art, come and see Diana Vishneva On the Edge.
Diana Vishneva: On the Edge is playing at Segerstrom Center for a world premier dance event 11/6/2013 – 11/10/2013. Get your tickets now by calling the Center’s box office at 714.556.2787 or by visiting the Box Office. Running time (approximate): 1 hour and 36 minutes
While I tend to over-analyze almost every movie I see, there are some films that are just immune to this sort of critical viewing. This isn’t meant as a slight on these films, but rather a perspective on the film’s intentions. For instance, take the new Disney film, Planes. As the marketing makes abundantly clear, this is a film “from above the world of Cars,” despite the fact that this is NOT a Pixar film. While Pixar tends to dig deep under it’s narratives to explore detailed thematic material, Planes exists simply to entertain. The characters all fulfill stereotypical “types,” the story follows every plot beat you would expect, and everybody gets their “happily ever after.” This is a film that kids will want to watch again and again, and that parents won’t hate. That may not be the most glowing endorsement, but I don’t think it aspires to much more than that.
