Bursting with D23 Expo-themed official merchandise and other specialty items from Disney Theme Park Merchandise, the D23 Expo Dream Store returns
Monsters University Final Exam Trailer!
Procrastination is never a good thing when studying for something as important as the release of MONSTERS UNIVERSITY.
With the school year coming to a close, we’re pleased to provide you with the final [exam] trailer for MONSTERS UNIVERSITY.
Check out disney.com/MonstersU, like us at facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity, and follow us on twitter.com/disneypixar. Rated G by the MPAA, the film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theaters.
Blu-Ray Review: Dark Skies
We have seen this film many times before. This story happened to take the format of an alien invasion flick, but the concept has appeared in several forms ranging from ghost stories to serial killer flicks, and even tales of killer robots from the future. While Dark Skies was hyped as the story of a family preparing to do battle against an invasion from the stereotypical “greys,” I think there was something far more subtle, primal and terrifying going on under the surface. That is the concept of being “chosen” by an unstoppable antagonist.
Dark Skies begins as a far less entertaining riff on Poltergeist, with the Barrett family tormented by seemingly random acts of inconvenience. Their house alarm goes off unexpectedly, items from the kitchen stack themselves (lifted directly from Poltergeist), and the real eye-opener comes when hundreds of birds simultaneously crash into their office from multiple directions. However, things quickly escalate as the family begins finding themselves blacking out for hours at a time, and their youngest son begins talking about his visits from “the Sandman.”
It becomes quickly apparent to the parents, Daniel and Lacy (Josh Hamilton and Keri Russell), that their children are to play a significant role in what is to come. Their investigation leads them to Edwin Pollard (a very understated J.K. Simmons), a self-proclaimed expert on the subject who is able to prove to them that they are the subjects of an alien experiment, one in which there is minimal possibility of escape.
With nowhere to run and no realistic method of defense, it is this aspect of the film that I found the most interesting. How does one react when backed up against a wall with the enemy closing in? This is the stuff that nightmares are made of, and while this might not be the most effective film to utilize this idea, it was still a highly intriguing scenario.
I wish the filmmakers had the guts to take things just a bit further. I liked the concept of the Barretts serving as the metaphorical rats in the alien’s maze, but I wish there had been a greater exploration of the aliens actual methods and purpose. Things are kept pretty basic for the most part, and it would have been interesting to see things not necessarily from the alien perspective, but from the point of view of an Earthling forced to confront a world beyond our own. It’s slightly disappointing to witness an alien attack that utilizes our own notions of the world around us. It kept things slightly generic, and maybe a little dull.
Acting is top-notch across the board, with all four members of the Barrett family convincingly portraying the escalation of confusion and fear that they are experiencing. I was especially impressed with the performances of the children, as they never once felt like they were acting. The family feels real, and it’s a testament to the screenplay that I believed there was a shared history with this group of people. We witness the family in conflict throughout, not just as a result of the aliens, but in large part due to realistic family drama. It’s effective storytelling and sets up the supernatural angle of the film in a strong way.
As for the new Blu-Ray release, the only extras are about 15 minutes of deleted scenes, with or without commentary, and a full-length audio commentary track on the film itself. This isn’t the sort of film that really demands significant extras, as it’s a pretty low-key film. I don’t know if I’d classify the film as “terrifying,” as the blurb on the box would have you believe. However, it’s definitely engrossing and will keep you on edge throughout. This is a solid film, and one definitely worth your time.
World Premiere Celebration for Disney's The Lone Ranger to Benefit The American Indian College Fund
Walt Disney Studios Chairman, Alan Horn, announced that ticket sales from the highly anticipated World Premiere of Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger” will benefit the American Indian College Fund. The event will take place on Saturday, June 22, at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California. A giant red carpet down the Park’s iconic Hollywood Boulevard will be lined with thousands of park guests cheering for the film’s stars, filmmakers and the many Hollywood celebrities in attendance. The Lone Ranger’s horse Silver will make an appearance and an actual train engine built for the film will be on display.
“We’ve had a terrific collaboration with the Native American community throughout the production of Disney’s ‘The Lone Ranger,’” said Alan Horn, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “With the world premiere of this exciting film at hand, we are pleased to commemorate the occasion by supporting the American Indian College Fund.”
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Academy Award® winner Gore Verbinski, “The Lone Ranger” is a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Johnny Depp stars as a newly imagined Tonto and Armie Hammer plays the masked lawman himself—the Lone Ranger.
Tickets for the premiere event have been donated by Disney to the American Indian College Fund, which will offer them for sale to the public; tickets will be available for purchase at https://community.collegefund.org/the-lone-ranger, starting May 29. Because Disney is also underwriting the entire cost of the premiere, 100% of the revenues received by the American Indian College Fund for the tickets will be used for scholarships and other support for Native American students. Tickets are priced at $1000.
Fund President, Cheryl Crazy Bull, stated: “The Fund is pleased to be the beneficiary of this event because our scholarships are an investment in a healthier, more prosperous future for tribal students and their families. We are poised to serve over 20,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students attending the tribal colleges across this country. Currently our scholarships serve less than 21% of those students so we appreciate any opportunity to bring resources into our scholarship program.”
Disney California Adventure Park will be hosting the premiere and sponsors will be offering opportunities for the guests in conjunction with the event. Commenting on the premiere event, Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said, “All of us at Disney Parks are thrilled to host the world premiere of ‘The Lone Ranger’ at Disney California Adventure. Disney brings unforgettable stories and characters to life in our movies and in our parks and resorts, so there’s no better place than Disney California Adventure to start this trailblazing film on its journey.”
Time Warner Cable, a title sponsor of the world premiere of Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger,” will stream the event LIVE from Disney California Adventure Park.
Visa Signature, a premiere sponsor, will have a fan pen on the red carpet for the first 50 Visa Signature cardholders who show their card.
The Utah Office of Tourism and Film, a premiere sponsor, will provide an opportunity for guests of the park to enter to win a trip to Utah and premiere guests will enjoy a photo opportunity provided by the sponsor. Many of the movie’s memorable scenes were filmed in the Monument Valley area of southern Utah.
Christie Digital, a global visual technologies company with expertise in film projection since 1929, is providing all the projection for “The Lone Ranger” premiere.
A one-of-a-kind Lone Ranger Ninja motorcycle from Kawasaki, a sponsor of the premiere, will be displayed at the event and will be available for the stars in attendance to autograph. The bike will be auctioned off at a later date, with all proceeds going to the American Indian College Fund.
Subway is providing sandwiches for the premiere guests.
Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ “The Lone Ranger” opens in theaters July 3, 2013.
NEW PHOTOS FROM MICHAEL BAY’S TRANSFORMERS 4
Check-out the re-envisioned and remodeled Autobots on Highway 163 in Monument Valley near the border of Arizona and Utah. New vehicles include a completely upgraded, custom-built Optimus Prime from Western Star (a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America) plus two completely new characters: a special race-inspired C7 Corvette Stingray, based on Chevrolet’s upcoming 2014 production car and a classy 1,200-horsepower Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse worth more than $2.4 million!
That’s just a taste of what’s in store for Transformers fans.
Disney Infinity debuts new Cars trailer & screenshots
Who would win in a racing competition? Dash or Lightning McQueen? Mrs. Incredible or Mike Wazowski? Buzz Lightyear, Dash or Davy Jones… while riding on Stitch’s surfboard?
In the Toy Box mode, players can pit these characters and more in head to head races on custom built tracks. They can build their own race tracks using pieces unlocked while playing in the Toy Box mode, in addition to other items brought over from the Monsters University, Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean and Cars play sets.
Check out the new screenshots from the Toy Box Racing mode:
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Springfield Comes to Life at Universal Orlando This Summer
Woo Hoo! Springfield, hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons, comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort this summer.
The expansive, new area within Universal Studios will be anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, and will allow guests to enter the world of The Simpsons like never before. It will be the only place in the world where guests can walk the streets of Springfield. It will include a brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show and two new Simpsons characters who will make their debut with the new area – Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob.
And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando.
For the first time ever – anywhere – fans will be able to walk down Fast Food Boulevard and visit the places that helped Springfield stake its claim as “Shelbyville by the Sea.” They will be able to grab a Krusty-certified meat sandwich at Krusty Burger, snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman, get a slice at Luigi’s Pizza, go nuts for donuts at Lard Lad, enjoy a “Taco Fresho” with Bumblebee Man and imbibe at Moe’s Tavern.
The new attraction – called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin designed to send them into orbit.
“This will be a must-see experience for Simpsons fans all over the world,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative. “For the first time ever, they’re going to be able to enter a world that they’ve only seen on television – and we’re really excited to bring that world to life.”
“This new expansion will broaden and deepen the already incredible experience at Universal, by bringing to life the iconic landmarks of Springfield that fans have grown to love,” said Jeffrey Godsick, President, Fox Consumer Products. “Fans will literally be able to live and breathe Springfield as they visit the statue of Jebediah, enjoy a Krusty Burger, and have a seat at Moe’s Tavern, which are just a few of the great experiences awaiting at Universal.”
“It has been an honor to bring the world of the Simpsons to life in such a letter-perfect way,” said Denise Sirkot, President, Worldwide Brand, Gracie Films. “Truly this is the Krustyest place on earth.”
For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com.
Monsters University New Video
Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike’s plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, “Sulley” (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair’s out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University’s elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. Screaming with laughter and oozing with heart, Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”), produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and features music from future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story 3”). Check out disney.com/MonstersU, like us at facebook.com/PixarMonstersUniversity, and follow us on twitter.com/disneypixar. Rated G by the MPAA, the film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in 3D in select theaters.
LEGOLAND® California Resort Announces Arrival Date of World's Largest LEGO® Model – Star Wars™ X-wing Starfighter!
LEGOLAND® California Resort is proud to announce the world’s largest LEGO® model is “landing” at the family theme park in Carlsbad on June 13, 2013. The LEGO® Star Wars™ X-wing starfighter was unveiled for the first time today in New York’s Times Square by the LEGO Group. Master Model Builders at LEGOLAND® California wanted to honor the official LEGO Group launch by building a Miniland U.S.A. version of the LEGO X-wing and replicating its arrival in Miniland New York.
The actual X-wing coming to LEGOLAND California is a 1:1 replica made of five million LEGO bricks that took a team of 32 Master Model Builders more than 17,000 hours to construct. The model weighs more than 45,000 pounds, stands 11 feet tall and 43 feet long, with a wingspan of 44 feet. After its New York appearance, the X-wing is making the trip across the country to LEGOLAND California Resort where it will be on display for guests to enjoy through the remainder of the year.
“The X-wing will be a great addition to LEGOLAND California where the LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display has proven to be very popular with our guests over the last two years,” said LEGOLAND California Resort General Manager Peter Ronchetti. LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display includes scenes from the six live-action Star Wars™ movies, as well as one from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ all made out of more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks and built in 1:20 scale. Guests can enjoy even more incredible LEGO models as they walk through the LEGO® Star Wars Gallery where they will encounter large-scale LEGO minifigures from each episode. Each LEGO model stands 3-feet-tall and is displayed on a podium for guests to get an up-close look. The 12 characters feature: Wicket, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Clone Captain Rex, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Yoda and Darth Maul.
Richard Sherman and Alan Menken Concert at D23 Expo 2013!
For one night only, two of the world’s most celebrated songwriters and composers will take to the stage for “Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken: The Disney Songbook.” The concert will take place at the D23 Expo 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center in the D23 Expo Arena on Saturday, August 10.
Together Sherman and Menken have won a combined 10 Academy Awards for their work with Disney, and have composed music and songs for more than three dozen Disney feature films, over two dozen Disney Park attractions and half a dozen Disney musicals on Broadway.
“I can’t express how excited I am that my esteemed friend Alan Menken and I will be sharing the same bill for the very first time,” said Sherman. “Alan is an incredible talent, and I know we’re both thrilled to be performing for Disney’s most ardent fans—they’re the best and I can’t wait to be a part of what promises to be a very special night for all of us.”
“Richard Sherman and I share so many things; our cherished association with The Walt Disney Company, the blessing of having the opportunity to share our musical talents with “children of all ages” and a genuine mutual admiration—but one thing we’ve never gotten to share is a concert stage,” said Menken. “This summer at the D23 Expo 2013, we will do just that. And I can’t think of anyone I’d prefer to share that stage with. Richard, along with his brother Robert, wrote songs that filled my formative years with joy and fantasy. And, all these years later, I can say with complete honesty that there is no one I’ve met in our business who is more warm and generous than my friend and fellow songwriter, Richard Sherman.”
Admission to the concert will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to the D23 Expo. In addition to the 4,000-seat D23 Expo Arena, the concert will be simulcast into a 2,000-seat overflow theater inside the Convention Center.
Richard M. Sherman and his brother Robert B. Sherman composed some of the most beloved songs in the Disney canon. The Disney Legends won two Oscars® for their work on Mary Poppins, and during their decades–long association with Disney they wrote more than 200 songs for 27 films and two dozen television productions. They made unforgettable contributions to such Disney films as The Parent Trap, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the entire Winnie the Pooh series, as well as the family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They also penned beloved songs for Disney Parks including the theme songs for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, it’s a small world, and Carousel of Progress. Richard wrote the song “Make Way for Tomorrow Today” for the blockbuster film Iron Man 2, and is working on a new stage musical based on Walt Disney’s 1967 animated film classic The Jungle Book, premiering this June at the Goodman Theater in Chicago.
With eight Academy Awards, Alan Menken has received more Oscars than any living person. He has written songs and scores for some of the world’s most beloved films: Tangled (Oscar nominee), Enchanted (three Oscar nominations) The Little Mermaid (two Oscar wins), Beauty and the Beast (two Oscar wins), Aladdin (two Oscar wins), Pocahontas (two Oscar wins), Hercules (Oscar nominee), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Oscar nominee), Little Shop of Horrors (Oscar nominee), Home on the Range and Newsies. His song “Star Spangled Man,” was the patriotic anthem of the 2011 hit film Captain America: The First Avenger.
Menken’s Broadway successes include his 2012 Tony Award® for Newsies, plus The Little Mermaid (Tony Award nominee), Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sister Act (Tony Award nominee). His other stage productions include King David, God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and his latest stage production Aladdin: The New Musical, opening next year. At Disney Parks, Menken added an exclusive ballad (“To Be Free”) to his song score for Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure and penned “Compass of Your Heart,” the catchy theme song for the attraction Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage at Tokyo DisneySea
Tickets for the D23 Expo are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Though June 15, tickets are $52 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $45 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available for both D23 Members and the general public, and D23 Members can save as much as $144 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate before June 15. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.
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