I have to admit, I’m a sucker for Nicolas Cage films, no matter how inconsequential they might be. No matter how bad the movie, he usually seems like he’s having fun, which usually elevates the material on screen. Honeymoon In Vegas is far from a perfect comedy, but Cage definitely seems like he’s having a ball, and so did I. Cage plays Jack Singer, a man with a dilemma. He promised his mother, just before she died, that he would never get married. Unfortunately, he’s in love with Betsy, played by Sarah Jessica Parker. When he decided that his promise isn’t worth jeopardizing the relationship, he proposes that they fly to Vegas and get married right away. While there, a gambling kingpin named Tommy Korman (played with great comic timing by James Caan) sees Betsy and realizes she is identical to his dead ex-wife. And this is where the fun begins.
You see, Korman is desperate to be with this woman who looks like his ex, and will utilize all the resources at his exposure to make this happen. He ends up tricking Singer into owing him thousands of dollars, and agrees to remove this debt if Singer allows him one weekend with Betsy. Singer reluctantly agrees, and ends up spending the rest of the film trying to undo the consequences of that decision.
Travelling from Vegas to Hawaii and back, the film is like a love letter to these two completely different locations. The fast-paced glamorous Vegas life directly contradicts the natural beauty and simplicity of Hawaii, and Singer’s frantic struggles in both locations allow for some really divergent setpieces. I’m always a fan of comedies where the characters find themselves in over their heads, trying to rectify a situation of which they have no control. This frantic struggle can be hilarious in the right hands, and Cage plays the part perfectly.
While the film doesn’t really have a lot of substance, it’s just entertaining. If you’ve ever seen a single commercial for this film, then you already know that there’s a sequence where Cage skydives with a group of Elvis impersonators. I still remember watching the previews back in 1992, and finding that a unusually hilarious visual. I never actually saw the film until now, but that moment has stuck with me over the years, and the buildup to this moment is as ridiculously silly as the moment itself.
Of course, skydiving Elvises fits right in with the motif of this film, which is Elvis himself. The King has a presence throughout the entire film, with a soundtrack comprised almost entirely of Elvis material. Coincidentally, Singer and Betsy are in Vegas at the same time as a convention for Elvis impersonators. Because of this, there is almost a constant Elvis presence in the movie. Most sequences in the film are accompanied with an Elvis song that lyrically relates to what is happening on screen. It’s a very clever soundtrack, and I enjoyed picking out the creative ways they selected which songs accompanied which moments.
Again, this isn’t a great movie, but it’s an entertaining one. It’s very silly, and doesn’t have any substance to it at all. Despite this, everybody involved seems to be having a great time, and the film is just fun to watch. Unfortunately, there aren’t any extras on the recently released Blu-Ray other than a short preview that gives the entire film away. The transfer is also lacking, looking about as good as an old VHS copy would have looked. I recently reviewed another film from the MGM catalog that recently got a re-release, and that film had the same problem. It seems as if MGM is just releasing their catelog on Blu-Ray without taking the time and effort to clean them up, or provide any good bonus material.
I can’t really recommend this film as a purchase, but it’s definitely a fun rental. It would be nice if MGM would have put a little more care into these releases, but at least they’re getting released at all. If you’re a fan of Nicolas Cage like I am, then this is definitely worth checking out.
While definitely flawed, there is nothing inherently good or bad about Overboard, Garry Marshall’s 1987 romantic comedy starring real-life couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel. It’s a perfectly acceptable, middle-of-the-road, time-waster of a film. And that’s not an insult. This self-described “riches-to-rags romance” tells the slightly convoluted story of wealthy socialite Joanna Stayton, who gets amnesia from falling off of her yacht. This is after she refuses to pay Dean Proffitt, a carpenter who didn’t fix her closet to her liking. Of course, in typical Hollywood fashion, he decides to enact revenge by convincing her that she is his wife and mother to four obnoxious children. Needless to say, wackiness ensues and lessons are learned.
I suppose it’s easy enough to suspend disbelief and just go with this. The problem is that there is no rooting interest. Before her amnesia, Stayton was a horrible shrew of a character; a cliched Real Housewife before the Real Housewives existed. And while Proffitt is supposed to be the everyman we identify with, I found it very difficult to sympathize with a man who would A) pull such a horrible trick, and B) raise four children with such disregard for their well-being.
However, the movie is moderately amusing, and I suppose that’s all that should really count in a film like this. Russell and Hawn seem to have a lot of fun playing these characters, and that translates into an entertaining enough diversion. There is something satisfying about seeing this woman put in her place, and as the sitcom hijinks give way to attempted pathos, I found myself going along for the ride. This is a film that follows the exact trajectory you’d expect, and while there are absolutely no surprises, I still enjoyed the journey. When I say the film is predictable, I’m not even talking just about the story outline, but rather specific plot points. This is the type of film where the screenplay randomly sets up little clues that are going to have an obvious payoff, and if you aren’t able to piece together the entire film based on these clues, then you just aren’t paying attention.
MGM has recently issued a Blu-Ray release for this film, although I’m not entirely sure there was a high demand for it. Honestly, it’s not going to take me long to completely forget this film exists. Considering it’s been about 24 years since the film’s release, I can’t imagine that there are people overly excited to be able to add this film to their collection. However, if you are one of those people, I hate to tell you, but this is a pretty bare-bones release.
The only extra is the trailer, and the picture quality/sound are about on par with VHS. I was really surprised at the lack of care the film was given for this release. There is a certain expectation when it comes to Blu-Ray, and while they don’t have to all be filled with extras, the picture and sound should at least be worthy of the release. Having said that, maybe the film holds some sort of nostalgic appeal for some of you, and if that’s the case, then enjoy. Otherwise, there’s not much too recommend here.
After its demonic 2010 debut, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is set to make waves across Southern California’s haunt scene in 2011 with mazes and madness that make the most of the ship’s unique haunted history.
Now in its 17th year, the Queen Mary Halloween event was originally known as Shipwreck, but in 2010, the ship bravely steamed into Dark Harbor to shrieks of delight from haunt aficionados and chillseekers alike.
“The Queen Mary is often cited as one of the most haunted places in the world,” said paranormal expert and ship guide Erika Frost. “This gives the event an atmosphere unlike any theme-park haunt. For instance, one of the mazes crosses the first-class swimming pool where many visitors claim to have encountered a little girl wandering around searching for her doll or mommy. Or, if they haven’t seen her, they’ve reportedly heard her.”
Dark Harbor features seven bloodcurdling mazes and attractions on the ship and on the shore as well as an entertainment complex with live entertainment, cocktails and food.
To enter this port of purgatory, guests must maneuver through a fog-filled 220-foot tunnel of cargo containers concealing monsters. Guests emerge at the foot of ‘Hell’s Bells Tower,’ a 33-foot tall tower of 11 cargo containers shooting 20-foot flames into the night sky. This is the centerpiece of Dark Harbor and is assembled each year with the help of longshoremen from the Port of Long Beach. Three panic-inducing shipboard mazes raise the fear factor with pyrotechnical, atmospheric and watery special effects. They include ‘Submerged’ where guests are sure to get a sinking feeling, ‘Containment’ where the ship’s original infirmary gets sick and twisted, and ‘Hellfire’ where the horrors get terribly hot. Two other hair-raising mazes are on shore: ‘The Village of the Damned’ where the monsters try to make you their permanent houseguests and ‘The Cage’ which simply defies description.
Performances by local bands, food and cocktails in the ‘Night Mariners’ Bar,’ and a demon-filled attraction known as ‘The Barricades’ will ensure leaving is…unthinkable, as will a trio of She-Demons who prey on all who cross their path after sunset. And beware of aforementioned ghosts walking the decks of the Queen Mary, for these travelers from the past may inhabit any ‘body’ left unattended.
The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor will be open October 7-9; 14-16; 20-23; and 27-31 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Ticket discounts and promotions start as low as $20 online at www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor. ‘Fast Fright’ front-of-the-line passes are also available online and at the door, and well worth the additional $20 upgrade for busy nights.
The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.
Love is a mess, one with no reason, no rhyme, just mostly insanity. At least that is what the makers of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” want you to believe. The genius of the film is its ability to appear on the surface a quiet romantic comedy, while its exposé on relationships is much deeper and complex than one would imagine.
The brilliance of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” is its multigenerational storyline that hardly ever feels overwhelming or overbearing. At its center is insurance man Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) who is informed unexpectedly by his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) that she desires a divorce, admitting she recently cheated on Cal. Having hit a plateau in his life years ago, Cal’s personality has become severely muted, and while this news shatters him, he willingly leaves his family without a fight. Cal’s thirteen year old son Robbie feels betrayed by his dad, unable to understand why his hero has been defeated so easily.
Rejected and isolated, Cal soon finds himself a regular customer at the local bar where he is eventually approached by Jacob (Ryan Gosling) who convinces Cal that he needs to “rediscover his manhood.” Jacob is the suave ladies man who can get any girl he approaches to go home with him, and he is intent on mentoring Cal how to do the same. But even Jacob has his own fatal flaws, incapable of using his winsome nature to seduce the one woman he really wants – a self-assured law student named Hannah (Emma Stone).
With all the different players involved, the script would appear to be a contrived setup. And for the first ten minutes or so, the movie borders dangerously close to being more like a series of unbalanced snapshots than a fluid story. But once the field is set, the true colors of the tale begin to shine through. Co-directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa don’t shy away from displaying the heartache and despair that results from broken and lacking relationships. The originality of this romantic comedy comes from the manner in which it observes how the struggles of love often tend to be amusing.
This is the kind of film that thrives on the ensemble of performances. The leading characters have a chemistry that never appears forced or faked. Steve Carell is cast in one of the better roles of his film career, portraying vulnerability while avoiding most of the abrasive foolishness that made him popular on “The Office.” Julianne Moore has a surprisingly youthful quality about herself, in light of playing a mother dealing with divorce. Audiences will easily be drawn to Ryan Gosling not only because of his enduring “coolness” but also the tact in which he plays Jacob’s more subtle insecurities as an empty, searching man. Emma Stone is constantly exuding a sweetness and independence that is a strong match for Gosling.
What is truly refreshing about “Crazy, Stupid, Love” is the ways in which it over and over again refuses to embrace cliched, recycled story lines of lost love. The three generations of lovers represented in the film give a rich-bodied perspective of relationships. In almost every way, the movie succeeds with the exception of the second act where Cal and Emily receive an inordinate amount of screen time while the supporting characters are pushed to the side. When the story does return to focus on Jacob and Emily’s relationship, it is wildly unpredictable yet balanced. This film is filled with unique revelations, some expected, and some not at all. What stands out is the unadulterated honesty of the characters, especially in the case of Cal and his son. Cal admits to his wife, “I should of fought for you,” while in equal measure, Robbie isn’t afraid to say he believes that “love is a scam,” after being repeatedly rejected by his crush, his rosy-cheeked babysitter Jessica (Analeigh Tipton).
Rather than mock, “Crazy, Stupid, Love” boldly offers truth in the matters of the heart. Where most films would rely on glitzy montages to show the gradual growth of the characters, this movie devotes time to the tedious realities of relationships. In this, there comes a rewarding measure of art. In the end, the story still doesn’t arrive at perfection for all parties involved, but more of an understanding. Love is a process, an experience, that comes in seasons and rarely ever makes complete sense. And that, is what makes it beautiful.
As Alex and I cruise down Harbor Blvd and turn onto Fair Drive we find ourselves immediately surrounded with the smell and sound of farm animals, kettle corn, fried food and screaming teens, this can only mean one thing; it must be time for the annual Orange County Fair!
In years past the OC fair has chosen a theme that is apropos to any State Fair or County Fair you may go to, this year’s theme? “Let’s Eat!” If you can’t find something you like you must not be alive because they have everything and anything you may want to eat at the fair.
Upon entering your senses are hit right away with the sight, sounds and smells of some of the most amazing barbeque this side of Texas. Everywhere you look the theme is in full swing with turkey legs, foot long sausages, 2 pound burgers, potatoes done every way possible (I prefer the Tasti Chips, Alex the Chili Cheese Fries curly or crinkled…), ice cream, frozen lemonade, all kinds of tasty treats and of course the fired food. YUM!
Since 2011’s theme is, “Let’s Eat!” we’ll start with the food! I tend to be the food aficionado so Alex left me the “difficult” task of trying all the food… well most of it. First up was to try to find the most unusual fried food, from Klondike bars, Cheesecake, and Oreos to fried butter we didn’t quite find the “weirdest” fried food until we came across… fried candy apples and fried Kool-Aid ™. I decided to live dangerously and went for the Kool-Aid ™, much to Alex’s dismay. A video of this experience forthcoming. To my surprise it was quite delicious! And filling! After just 3 of the 6 generous pieces I was pretty much done; it was quite delicious but I was done. If you’re wondering how they did this imagine a hush puppy flavored with your favorite childhood Kool-Aid™ flavor, then deep fried and sprinkled with more of those tasty sugary crystals! Viola! A fried concoction worthy of any County Fair!
This of course was washed down with the first of MANY fresh squeezed lemonades we enjoyed in the annual OC Fair cup! A great value as it cuts the price of refills in half! We also enjoyed chili cheese fries which, according to Alex, were cheesy and delicious ( I only enjoyed one, she is very serious about her fries), a foot long western sausage worked up to my liking and doused in BBQ sauce, and for dinner fresh cheddarwurst, and to top the evening off creamy ice cream.
All in all the food was, as any County Fair, delicious and fun! Had we had room for seconds we probably would have indulged in more tasty treats! There are of course many other delights from cupcakes to Italian food and other carnival goodies enough to satisfy any indulgent craving!
Now that Marc has fully intoxicated you all with the decadent and delightful foods the OC Fair has to offer we’ll move to my favorite part of the fair, shopping! The OC fair has tons to offer when it comes to items to purchase and delight in. From clothing featuring local OC designers, to fresh inventions and gadgets to delight the most nimble fingers and minds you’re sure to find it at the fair! Most items well priced and fabulous! I found myself unable to make just one choice from all the amazing things there were to see, touch, try and buy. My eyes danced over beautiful pieces of jewelry and accessories and my inner fashion diva reveled in the array of frocks and shoes available. There are of course items for kids and grownups alike as well as your usual cute and fun fair tchotchkes.
Bubble guns, fashion hair accessories, shoes, balloons, special make up, and also car wax, bug cleaners and more! From big to small there was nothing that wasn’t offered to the eager fair goers. I can’t wait to go back!
After all that shopping it was time to take a look at the more artistic side of the fair. From gardening to woodworking, paintings to crocheting artist from all around the OC submit their personal works for judging. After walking a short time through the visual arts pavilion we came across some amazing exhibits by featured artists Jim Jenkins and Daniel du Plessis.
Jeff’s visual sculptures of flight, mechanics and puppetry are impressive not only in there intricacies but the sheer detail and scope of vision. The dancing devil, “A Dime A Dance” was a crowd favorite, especially with children. Simple in its presentation it still left many an adult looking beyond the surface of this hypnotic sculpture.
Daniel is exquisite with a brush bringing paint to life. He doesn’t stop at the canvas as several of the artworks have frames that are just as detailed and intricate as the piece they hold.
After a viewing a few more entries in photography Alex had to step out as she tends to get a little emotional being surrounded by such inspired artwork.
From youths to adults every art form was present. Some of my favorites were the stained glass window of Maleficent, bowling balls crafted into miniature structure sculptures, and many of the presented woodworking projects.
After wandering around we needed a little libation so we headed over to the Wine Garden. This tends to be a favorite of mine and has been for many years; Alex is slowly coming into her enjoyment of wine, especially the sweeter varieties. The Orange County Wine Society did not disappoint with this year’s selection of award winning wines. From reds to whites, syrah’s to ports the variety offered will appeal to all levels and palates. Our recommendation, or I should say Alex’s favorite for an early summer evening sitting comfortably in the back yard, would be the South Coast ‘10.
This is not the only adult indulgence in beverages. There is Hussong’s Cantina and Baja Blues offer full bars and over by the Pavilions there’s the World of Beers featuring 30 plus beers for any hop head out there.
There is so much more to see at the fair with the livestock area featuring the work of local hard working 4H students, Centennial Farm, Ice Museum, daily concerts at both The Hanger, Pacific Amphitheatre and surrounding stages, Kids World and of course the Carnival. It is a great value for a family or an evening for two on a date.
So take the family out to the OC Fair Wednesday thru Sundays running through August 15th. We’ll see you there! Meanwhile she’ll have the wine, I’ll have the Kool-Aid™. Oh wait is that a fried candy apple?
The first two days of Comic-Con were fantastic. We saw some great panels, and got a lot of information regarding some big upcoming projects. However, the third day wasn’t quite as successful. Due to extreme crowds, and some miscalculations on our part while attempting to jump from room to room, we only ended up seeing four panels. Even getting to those panels felt like a miracle considering how many hours in total we wasted in various lines throughout the day. With that being said, here is a brief rundown of the few panels we were actually able to get into.
Terra Nova: A very expensive weekly television program Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg, Terra Nova tells the story of a future in which the Earth becomes uninhabitable, and mankind is forced to travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed free. At this presentation, they showed us the entire pilot and then had a brief Q&A with some of the cast and crew. I wasn’t entirely sold on the show going in, thinking it might have just been a cheaper version of Jurassic Park on a weekly basis. However, I ended up pleasantly surprised, as the pilot did a great job setting up several compelling storylines and characters. The dinosaurs are definitely an aspect of the show, but they are from the entire point of it.
(See a preview of Terra Nova)
Coming from writers with credits as varied as 24 and Star Trek: The Next Generation, this is a show with a lot of action, a lot of heart, and several intriguing mysteries to explore. Production values are very high, with special effects and set pieces far beyond the scope usually seen on television. I found some of the family drama slightly manipulative, but necessary in order to move the plot forward. Fox has a reputation for cancelling genre shows before their time, but I really think this one will catch on. Unlike shows such as Firefly, Drive, or even Fringe (which is still on the air), this show feels very mainstream, and not as if it will only appeal to a niche audience. My only concern is the obviously high budget. If the show doesn’t get huge ratings, I’m really afraid that Fox won’t be able to justify spending that much per episode. So, if you’re reading this, please watch when it premieres this Fall. Because I really want to find out what happens next.
The Immortals: I’d seen the generic posters, but had no idea what to expect from the actual film. Turns out, this is a story about war amongst the Gods (Zeus, Poseidon, etc.), presented in a way very reminiscent of 300. The film was directed by Tarsem Singh, and while they hyped his unique visual style before showing any footage, I didn’t find their “Tarsemvision” to be all that compelling. Several years ago, Singh directed a fantastic film that very few people saw called The Cell. That was one of the most unique films I’d ever seen, and was a true original. Unfortunately, this one looks much less interesting. There is a lot of mediocre CGI, along with footage that changes speed mid-shot, and a color pallet exactly like 300. Singh even admitted that he made the movie from a visual perspective first, with story coming next. They showed us a preview and one of the final action scenes (twice), did a Q&A and that was that. The film doesn’t look bad, I guess. It just isn’t that exciting either. This one’s a rental.
(See The Immortals Trailer)
Knights of Badassdom: What a disaster this one turned out to be. The title should have the first giveaway, but I was drawn in by the eclectic cast. The film stars Summer Glau, Danny Pudi, Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn, etc. These are all people that I would never expect to work together, especially in a film like this. The basic story revolves around of group of LARPers (Live Action Role Players), who accidentally summon a succubus during a pretend ritual. Wackiness ensues. I love a good juvenile movie, but this just looks ridiculous. With the cheap effects, lame jokes, and awful premise, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this one goes direct-to-video. They showed the preview (twice), did a Q&A, and that was that. I’ve already spent more time writing about this one than it deserves.
Snow White and the Huntsman: Finally, a decent panel. After the disappointments that were The Immortals and Knights of Badassdom (I still can’t believe that movie exists), I needed a panel like this. While the film doesn’t start production until next week, they still managed to put together an intriguing presentation that had the entire audience eager to see more. The film stars Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth and Sam Claflin, all of whom were on the panel. They also had the director (Rupert Sanders) and a couple of the producers there. Since they haven’t even started filming yet, they weren’t able to show us any actual footage. However, Sanders has already shot a quick demo reel designed to give the studio and crew a visual representation of how he imagines the film will look. They showed us this reel, and it was extremely impressive considering that he shot it in three days. This is going to be an epic production, one which he described as being in the vein of The Lord of the Rings. Everybody involved seemed genuinely excited to be a part of the film, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. They also showed us photos of all the actors in their costumes, and they look amazing. I have a feeling this one is going to be something special.
And with that, Comic-Con 2011 was over. Unfortunately, day 3 didn’t live up to the first two, but we still had a great time with Terra Nova and Snow White and the Huntsman. There are a lot of great looking projects out there, and hopefully, they’ll all live up to their potential. It’s that sense of the unknown that makes Comic-Con so much fun. A lot of the great looking projects could end up terrible, and a lot of the terrible ones could be amazing (although I highly doubt that for Knights of Badassdom). Thanks for reading, and we’ll back for Comic-Con 2012.
Well, it’s been three exhausting but exciting days, and Comic-Con 2011 is officially behind us. While we weren’t able to get into every presentation we would have liked, we still saw a lot of terrific panels and got a lot of great information. We’ve already covered our first day at the con, so without further ado, here’s day two.
The Adventures of Tin-Tin: I think everyone in that room would agree that this was the highlight of the convention. It was well publicized that Steven Spielberg would be making his Comic-Con debut with this panel. I knew it would be an amazing experience to hear the film-making legend in person, but I didn’t realize the actual panel itself would be so entertaining. Before getting into Tin-Tin, Spielberg was presented with an Inkpot Award, a Comic-Con staple given to those who have made great contributions to the pop-culture landscape in some way. It goes without saying that Spielberg is more than entitled to this distinction. However, they reminded everybody in that room just how significant his contributions to film have been by playing a spectacular montage of moments from most of his films. I’ve seen these movies multiple times, and I still got chills as I was reminded how much of an impact this one man has had on the pop-culture landscape.
When the clips ended, they brought Steven out to the longest and most-deserved standing ovation I’ve ever seen in Hall H. It was a thrilling moment, and one that I’ll never forget. After he gave a brief, but sincerely grateful acceptance speech, it was time to get into Tin-Tin. For those that don’t know, Tin-Tin is a very popular comic around the world, that never caught on in America for some reason. He explained how Tin-Tin was first brought to his attention in a review of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which compared Indy to Tin-Tin. Now knowing who that was, Spielberg did some research, discovering that Tin-Tin is a child reporter who always ends up becoming part of the story he’s investigating, much like Indy is an archeologist who finds hiimself part of the mythology of the relics he’s sent to unearth.
Spielberg quickly became fascinated with the character, and eventually decided he wanted to direct a film version. However, the comics have a very distinct visual style. After struggling with the dilemma of how to adapt this look, he recruited WETA to do a test. The comics feature a dog named Snowy, and he had them do an animation test of this character against a live-action actor who played a character named Captain Haddock. He informed us that this presentation was made many, many years ago. He then told the very excited audience that he brought that test to show us.
The test was surprisingly fantastic, and would have actually worked just find as a film. The real surprise of the footage however, was the “actor” who played Captain Haddock. WETA had director Peter Jackson play the character, and he was very funny in the part. In the test, he was talking to the audience about his desire to play the character while Snowy was trying to get his attention behind him. Eventually, Jackson/Haddock spills some wine which Snowy promptly drinks, getting so inebriated that he stumbles off the dock in a drunken stupor. At this point, Jackson/Haddock dives in to save him, and the clip ends.
As the lights came back up, the audience was thrilled to discover that Jackson himself had joined Spielberg on stage. As Jackson is in the thick of filming the Hobbit, I don’t think anybody in that room was expecting this surprise. Through the rest of the panel, the two just talked about their history with the character, with each other, and eventually took questions from the audience. They also showed a pretty long clip in 3D, and I’ve got to say, the movie looks terrific. It was all done in motion-capture, with Spielberg himself operating the camera. Because of this, there were some truly exciting visuals in the presentation. The story also looks like a lot of fun, and the voice-talent sounds terrific.
The Q&A portion of the panel was surprisingly good as well. I have to hand it to this crowd, they handled themselves really well for the most part. I’ve been to a lot of panels where the questions were simply people gushing, asking for hugs, and stumbling over their own words. There was a little of that, but the questions were mostly questions that I genuinely was curious about the answers. As an aside, while most of the questions were either conceptual or about their careers, I was thrilled to hear one person ask for an update on Jurassic Park 4. As Jurassic Park is one of my favorite movies, I loved getting to hear Spielberg himself reveal that we will have JP4 in 2 or 3 years.
When the panel was over, I knew I had seen what would be the best presentation of the day. While I love going to these panels every year, very few leave a lasting impression. However, I’m sure I’ll always remember this fantastic presentation.
Screen Gems: Having unsuccessfully tried to get into a couple of different panels that took place at the same time, I was late actually getting into this presentation. Because of this, I only saw the very end of the Underworld 4 presentation. The director and cast were there, and they were taking questions from the audience by the time I arrived. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn anything of substance in this brief amount of time. However, I was there for the entire presentation regarding the other film Screen Gems brought to the Con, Attack the Block. I’d heard the name before, knowing that it was pretty popular in the UK where it was already released, and knowing that it’s played at some festivals to high acclaim. However, nothing they showed about this film appealed to me. It tells the story of rival gangs in London, and how they have to band together when their block is invaded by aliens.
First of all, the film looked a lot cheaper than I expected. The aliens, while practicaly effects, looked really cheesy complete with glow-in-the-dark teeth. Maybe I need more context, but in the brief amounts shown, I thought the characters seemed annoying, the look of the film ugly, and the story completely uninteresting. This wasn’t a great panel to follow-up the Tin-Tin panel with.
DreamWorks: For the DreamWorks panel, they only showcased one film, Fright Night. This was a very typical panel, where they showed some clips, and brought out some of the cast and crew. Like the presentation for Rise of the Planet of the Apes on Thursday, I just couldn’t bring myself to get that excited about advance footage for a movie opening next month. The movie looks fine, if not a little generic, but nothing about it really wowed me. To be fair, I’ve never seen the original, so this might have had more of an impact if I was already a fan of the property. It was fun seeing Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, etc. talk about the film, but there was nothing here that made the film seem like a “must-see.”
Sony: The longest panel we saw of the entire convention, Sony went all out for this one, bringing four films to showcase. They started with the sequel to Ghost Rider, followed it up with 30 Minutes or Less, then did a presentation for the remake of Total Recall, and ended with the one everybody was there for, The Amazing Spider-Man.
I pride myself on being pretty knowledgable about what films are in production at what times, and this is why I was so surprised to find out that there was a panel for the Ghost Rider sequel. I knew there was at least plans for this film, but I had no idea it had already been shot. While I did enjoy the original more than most people I know, I can’t say that I’m a huge fan. I thought Ghostrider himself was an interesting character, at least on a conceptual level; however, the story didn’t really do anything for me. With the sequel, it looks like the story is going to be even more inconsequential. However, what was shot looks absolutely insane, and unlike anything seen before in a superhero film. Directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank) shoot the film themselves, and put themselves right in the middle of the sequences in whatever way possible. For example, they would shoot a car chase by wearing rollerblades, holding on to the back of a speeding motorcycle and being pulled right into the middle of the scene. Or for a sequence where a character goes over the edge of a cliff, they would attach themselves to a harness facing the stuntman, and throw themselves over the edge in order to film from that usually unseen perspective.
I wish I could say that the movie looks worth all the effort, but it really doesn’t. All the crazy camerawork seems to be mildly distracting, and their visual style just seems too frenetic for my tastes. Thanks to developments in motion-capture technology, Nicolas Cage gets to actually play Ghost Rider this time, so I’m looking forward to his performance. Other than that, I can’t say I’m all that excited for this one.
After this was 30 Minutes Or Less, a comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari. Other than the fact that the director of this film also directed Zombieland, I’m not entirely sure why this film wsa being presented at Comic-Con. Usually, the films that get these presentations are more genre-based, and this seemed like a more straight-forward comedy. However, the movie looks funny, and the cast (especially Ansari) was very entertaining on stage. There was nothing entirely notable about this segment, but it was still fun.
I still can’t believe they’re remaking Total Recall. I love Philip K. Dick’s original story, and think that the original film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is an action classic. Unless they have something truly unique to bring to the table, I don’t see what there is to gain by filming the same story a second time. Unlike Schwarzenegger’s version, this one isn’t set on Mars, which seems to make the whole thing less interesting, at least to me. The director and cast were there, and they showed some clips, but nothing they showed convinced me that this is a film worth making. We saw the scene where Quaid (Colin Farrell) first goes to Rekall, and realizes that he may actually be a secret agent after all. It’s a fun little action sequence, but nothing that wasn’t done better in the original.
Finally, the Amazing Spider-Man. The panel opened with “somebody” in a cheap looking Spider-Man costume approaching the microphone. As the moderator started telling this person that they weren’t taking questions yet, the Spider-Man at the microphone started talking about what a huge fan of the character he is, and how he just had to say what was on his mind, etc. To the surprise of nobody, he ended up ripping off the mask to reveal that it was none other than Andrew Garfield, star of this new Spider-Man reboot.
At this point, he started reading a prepared speech about how much the opportunity to play the character means to him, and how thrilled he is for the entire experience. It was a great speech, and a great moment for the panel. No matter how good the finished film ends up being, I will never doubt the sincerity of Garfield’s commitment to this role. He is a fan through and through, and really is living his dream.
(Watch the Comic-Con Panel from Hall H!)
As for the panel itself, they showed the preview which had already leaked, some extended footage, and most surprisingly a very detailed look at the villain of the film, Dr. Curt Connors, aka The Lizard. If you’ve seen the preview, you know this is yet another origin story, and again, I’m not sure, this is something we necessarily needed to see again. As an audience, we all know that story, and we’re ready to just watch Spider Man have more adventures, not recap the events we already know. Hopefully, it’ll be different enough so as not to seem too repetitive. Instead of Mary Jane, this time we get Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), and as mentioned above, instead of the Green Goblin, we get The Lizard.
I’m not all that familiar with the Spider-Man comics, so I don’t know a whole lot about the lizard. Having said that, I don’t know how accurate their portrayal of the character is, but he looks pretty formidable. When I heard the antagonist was going to be The Lizard, I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. Turns out, that means the Dr. Connors literally becomes a giant lizard. Like the Hulk, it’s a human who turns into a giant green creature. This one just appears to be evil for some reason. The CGI isn’t photoreal by any means, but it still looks good.
They didn’t show a whole lot of the web-slinging, but the little they did show appears to be a mixture of practical and CGI. I’m sure the film will be entertaining, but like Total Recall, I really hope this film gives us a reason for existing. I would understand furthering the adventures of Spider-Man, but I just don’t understand why we need to reboot it.
And that wraps up Day 2 of Comic-Con. As I mentioned above, the Tin-Tin panel was amazing, but nothing else came close to wowing the audience on that level. Still, it was a really fun day, and overall, this has been a really fun year for the Con.
Well, the first day of Comic-Con 2011 is behind us, and SoCalThrills was there, having spent the entire day in the cavernous Hall H. For those who aren’t familiar with Hall H, this is the 6,500 seat room where the studios roll out their biggest and highest-profile projects for the masses to immediately dissect and judge. The Con got off to a pretty decent start today, and while not every panel was a homerun, there were enough great moments to classify the day as a success.
Twilight: Breaking Dawn (Part 1): First things first, I am not the target audience for this film. I get that, and this is why my thoughts on this panel should be taken with a grain of salt. Having said that, this panel did absolutley nothing for me. A few years ago, I was at the panel for the second Twilight film, New Moon. I remember going in to that presentation just as cynical and uninterested, and yet, by the time it was over, I found myself surprisingly curious. That year, they actually showed some relatively interesting clips, really showcasing the scope of the film. This year, director Bill Condon gave the fans what they wanted, but did nothing to entice the uninitiated. We got two new scenes, one featuring Jacob (Taylor Lautner) upset about something I didn’t understand involving rival wolf packs. The problem with choosing this sequence is that it had nothing to entice those who weren’t already familiar. It was a conversation out of context, and a poorly acted one at that. The next clip was of Edward and Bella’s honeymoon, and her preperation for their “first time.” It was tonally awkward, and felt completely out of place with everything that came before, but the audience ate it up, laughing and applauding with every ridiculous moment. There’s no doubt that this movie is going to make a fortune, but I just can’t wait for the whole thing to be over.
After this panel, Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me) came out to introduce a preview for his upcoming documentary on Comic-Con itself. It was quick and entertaining, but he barely set up the clip and then just left. It wasn’t so much a panel as a transition between panels.
Animation Showcase: This was a panel by Sony Animation to showcase two upcoming animated films from Aardman Studios, Arthur Christmas and The Pirates! Band of Misfits. The panel, moderated by popular KROQ radio personality Ralph Garman, was entertaining but forgettable. While both look fun, Arthur Christmas looks to be the more interesting of the two, with a computer animated look at just how Santa does deliver all those presents every year. It’s a tired setup, but the execution looks like a lot of fun, with entertaining voicework from James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, and Bill Nighy. The film looks to have a pretty large scope, and while I’m sure it won’t be anything all that memorable, I’m looking forward to the finished product. As for The Pirates! Band of Misfits, this is a stop-motion animated film featuring a who’s who of British actors, most notably led by Hugh Grant. The plot revolves around a pirate and his misadventures as he fights to become “Pirate of the Year.” This looks a little too silly for me, but I love the stop-motion animation, and am still looking forward to eventually checking it out next year.
Up next was a panel featuring Pee-Wee Herman, where he discussed both his recent stage work, as well as the possibility of a new Pee-Wee film to be produced by Judd Apatow. He announced that the studios were actually making a final decision today as to whether or not to give the film a green-light, and I really hope they do. Pee-Wee proved today that he still has a firm grasp on this character, and by the end, he had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. He came across very intelligent and extremely funny, especially considering how visibly uncomfortable his moderator was (Quint from Aint-It-Cool-News). The audience Q&A session was fascinating as he occasionally mocked those asking the questions without ever talking down to them. He revealed that the film would be a road movie in the vein of his original “adventure,” and it was clear that Pee-Wee can still be relevant even after all of these years.
Film District Studios: Following Pee-Wee came this presentation with a simultaneous look at two upcoming films, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and Drive. Quint moderated this panel as well, and he was again visibly out of his element. Various cast members, directors, etc. from these two films were on hand, and they dominated the proceedings. This was a very conversational panel between some very large personalities, including Guillermo Del Toro and Ron Perlman. The films look great, with Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark looking to have some very real scares from it’s very tiny monsters. Drive tells the story of a getaway stunt driver who gets mixed up with some very bad people. Both look like great movies, and while the panel didn’t have any real flash to it, the films made an impression.
20th Century Fox: This was my last panel of the day, and definitely the best. The presentation began with a look at one of my most anticipated films from 2012, Prometheus. Alien is one of my all-time favorite movies, and this (sort-of) prequel has been on my radar since the day it was announced. Damon Lindelof, one of the geniuses behind Lost, helped write Prometheus and he served as moderator for the entire panel. While the film is still pretty early in development, they were able to show us enough footage to get everyone excited. Ridley Scott returns to the director’s chair for this sci-fi epic, and it’s very obvious in the brief footage shown that he really understands this material. The film looked like it belongs in the same universe as Alien, and that is more exciting that anything else regarding the project. I love the world of the original film, and the highlight of my day was getting a new glimpse at this world I’ve seen countless times before. After the footage, Charlize Theron came out for a quick back-and-forth with Damon, and finally, a satellite interview with Ridley Scott and actress Noomi Rapace. Scott and Rapace are currently in Iceland filming the opening scene of the film, and just looking at the backdrop for this interview gives me a lot of hope. It’s a gorgeous location, and I can’t wait to find out the context of the sequence.
Fox followed up Prometheus with a look at In Time, starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. They showed an extended preview and then came out to discuss the film. Andrew Niccol (Truman Show, Gattaca) wrote and directed the film, which in typical Niccol style is about as high-concept as they come. In the world of this film, time has replaced cash as a means of currency. Everybody lives to 25 and is given one more year to live. That year is used as currency, so the poor die young, and the rich are essentially immortal. Because of the premise, the actors all had to physically look 25, even if there character is in their hundreds. The film looks very fast-paced and clever, and I can’t wait to see it later this year.
The last presentation was for the upcoming Rise of the Planet of the Apes. As the film opens next month, it didn’t feel quite as special seeing as much footage as we did. However, the movie still looks great, and motion-capture extraordinaire Andy Serkis (Gollum, King Kong, etc.) came out to discuss his work on the film. As I mentioned, they showed quite a bit of footage, and although I’d already seen a lot of it in the previews, it was still a really fun panel.
That wraps up our coverage for the first day of Comic-Con 2011. If all goes according to plan, tomorrow should have some great material to cover tomorrow, including Steven Spielberg’s first appearance at the Con as well as a look at some of the new and returning television series this Fall. Be sure to check back throughout the weekend for updates as we go.
Having grown up watching Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins on a seemingly constant loop, I found myself entering the Segrestrom Center for the Arts Center on Friday night pretty certain that I knew exactly what I was about to see. I assumed the touring production of Mary Poppins would be similar to the touring production of The Lion King, a faithful recreation of a beloved film but adapted into a theatrical style. What a thrill it was to discover that I couldn’t have been more wrong.
This production of Mary Poppins ends up a fascinating mix of the classic Disney film with some of the darker elements and storylines stemming from author P.L. Travers original text. While almost all of the elements that we know and love are still there, there is decidely more edge and thematic depth to the story on stage. The kids are brattier, Mary is slighty more intense in her vanity and the strained relationship between George and Winifred Banks is more pronounced. Of course, this doesn’t come up at the expense of any of the expected magical whimsy that the story is known for.
Characters still fly, people still dance on the ceiling, and magic seems to fill the stage. Whether it’s a visit to a park filled with dancing statues or a trip to the Heavens themselves, this is a production like no other. Like the film, this is a story epic in scope but still about a single family. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you know the characters. George Banks is a banker with no time for his wife, Winifred, or his children, Jane and Michael. He has no sense of what it is to be a child, and is determined to have a nanny raise his household with “precision and order.” As revealed in this production, he grew up with a nanny named Miss Andrew, a vile woman who is essentially the anti-Mary Poppins.
While there is a lot of thematic material in this production, it seems as if Mr. Banks’ development as a character is the real focus. Of course, it appears that Poppins is there for the children, but she seems to do more for him than for anybody, and in a way that will change the family forever. This happens in the film as well, but it seems much more pronounced in this version. Part of this journey involves the inclusion of Miss Andrew as a character in the second act. The dichotomy between these two influential forces is at once hilarious and devestating.
Of course, what is Mary Poppins without the timeless soundtrack? Almost all of the original numbers are here (although I really missed “I Love to Laugh”), and several fantastic new numbers as well. And since this is a stage production, and not a film, most of the musical numbers have been expanded. This show contains a fantastic group of performers, doing some of the most complicated choreography I’ve ever seen on stage. In particular, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (just typing that made my fingers hurt) and Step in Time are show-stopping spectacles that will bring the house down. It’s a stunning accomplishment that they were able to translate and even improve upon such perfect musical moments.
And while the new numbers might not be quite as timeless as the originals, there is still a lot of great material. Whether it’s Miss Andrew’s ode to punishment, Brimstone and Treacle, or Mary Poppins’ ode to herself, “Practically Perfect,” the new numbers are not only cathy, but relevant. They don’t feel shoehorned in, but seem to belong with all of the familiar songs we’ve already heard.
In bringing the world of Mary Poppins to life on stage, the production designers have employed an unusual and extremely appropriate technique. The Banks’ house is actually a set within the set, opening and closing like a full-size dollhouse. The whole thing feels like it came from the pages of a storybook, with the sets appearing to have a hand-drawn quality while still feeling real. It’s extremely clever, and keeps that balance between being an adaption of the film and the original books.
As for the performances, they are reminiscent of the originals, without simply copying what came before. These are unique perspectives on classic characters. Steffanie Leigh is fantastic as Mary, and I was particularly impressed that she didn’t simply mirror Julie Andrews performance. She kept the essence of the character, yet made it her own. The whole cast worked like this, and I found myself completely surprised at how new the whole thing felt, despite being so familiar.
I really wasn’t expecting this. I was prepared to be overcome with nostalgia, and want to run home to watch the original again. However, instead of focusing on what came before, I found myself focusing on what I was seeing now.
Playing at the Segrestrom Center for the Arts Center through August 7, this is a treat for the entire family, and just as “practically perfect” as the original.
Thus far in the year of 2011, movie theaters have been awash in their share of prequels, sequels, and even the occasional fourquel. A mere few have delivered, while most by now have come and gone as embarrassments to their respective franchises. So when seeing the seemingly nonchalant trailer for a new “Winnie the Pooh,” it would be easy to dismiss it as just another reboot. The story of a stuffed bear and his cotton-filled companions has been told and retold for nearly a century. In a day and age when children’s attentions are glued to films populated by life-like CGI characters and environments, one has to wonder what has prompted the creators at Disney to go back to the basics. It is indeed the basics, and beautiful they are, that are the very reason for this delightful return to the Hundred Acre Wood.
“Winnie the Pooh” is a success on almost every level due to its perfect balance between both the new and the familiar. From the very first frame, the film ushers the audience in with a great rush of nostalgia, as we get our first glimpse of Christopher Robin’s room. For anyone who has ever read a Pooh adventure or seen one of the films, it is as if you are coming back home. Everything is there just as we left it. The stuffed bear, the donkey, the rabbit, kangaroos, owl, and of course, that peculiar tiger. In no time, we find ourselves caught within the pages of A.A. Milne’s book, with a calming narrator as our guide.
This adventure is not unlike previous ones. Pooh is looking for honey, Piglet is afraid, and Eeyore is gloomier than ever. The story takes place in the timespan of one day, but that one day is all these characters need to experience a multitude of new sights and a few frights. Early on in his search for honey, Pooh notices that Eeyore’s tail has gone missing, and must soon choose whether his growling tummy or his friend is a higher priority. Good ‘ol Owl in all his misinformed wisdom quickly creates a contest in which the entire gang try to help find a new tail for poor Eeyore. As with all good Pooh adventures, things soon grow out of proportion, and he and his friends must overcome more than just their own collective silliness.
Halfway through the film when Christopher Robin disappears for a time, Owl claims that their beloved human has been captured by a terrible monster known as the “Backson.” The drama that follows is full of original humor, but even more impressive is the manner by which the animals’ fears come to the surface and teach more than one valuable lesson. This underlying tone of classic morality is the backbone of the entire story. The writers of the film highlight the characters’ vulnerabilities rather than their strengths, thus giving the adventure a surprising measure of maturity that even adults will find hard not to appreciate.
The true brilliance of “Winnie the Pooh” is due in fact to how quietly unassuming it is. The story refuses to follow any type of well-exhausted formula. Instead, it devotes time to focus on the individual journeys of the characters. Owl, Eeyore, and Pooh are highlighted extensively – one eccentric, one depressed, and the other a little bit selfish. Each new turn in the adventure comes as a breath of fresh air, usually unexpected, and never tying to push the envelope or over-impress the audience. In keeping with the minimalism of the story, the run time of “Winnie the Pooh” clocks in at a mere 70 minutes, but this is the perfect kind of movie that doesn’t require any more or any less.
The movie’s expert storytelling is mirrored in every way by the visual elements. It has been thirty-five years since the last Pooh film was animated within the walls of Walt Disney Studios, and this is surely one of their finest works to date. It is impossible to ignore the unfaltering commitment to hand-drawn animation that is evident in each and every frame. The swatches of color, pencil lines, and brush strokes inhabiting both the backgrounds and foregrounds are all individually unique. It is truly the artistic imperfections that give the faces and places of the Hundred Acre Wood such depth and character. There is also the delightful use of the physical book as the characters jump and interact frequently with the letters and paragraphs of the narrator. It’s as if the animators have melded literature to film, and the results are joyously wonderful.
While the imperfections in the art tend to enhance, imperfections in the voice acting only causes the movie to suffer. “Winnie the Pooh” features mostly new actors taking on the challenge of interpreting the voices of extremely familiar characters. Craig Ferguson (“Late Late Show”) is unmistakable as Owl, reinventing the character from the voice up. Newcomer Jack Boulter is another welcome addition as Christopher Robin, creating a voice that is as silky smooth as it is fatherly. But as for the rest of the vocal talent, there is an obvious disconnect between the voices and characters. It is as if they belong in a standard 3d animation, not such a classic as “Winnie the Pooh.” But this is a minor qualm, and is easily compensated by the dreamy addition of multi-talented actor and musician Zooey Deschanel. Her singing practically floats along in the re-imagining of the theme song and continues to set a dreamlike tone in the music for the entire film.
This “Winnie the Pooh” is another memorable chapter in a timeless tale, as it succeeds in doing something that few other children’s films these days are capable of: capturing the joy that is found in the innocence of imagination. These characters were never designed just for children, but for, as the great Walt Disney once put it, “the child in all of us.” The film takes the peculiarities and enduring traits of the characters that have always been, and molds them into something newer and much better. Just like a great legend, the tales of “Winnie the Pooh” have never stopped growing, while retaining the simplistic life truths that makes them unique. Revived for another generation of any and every age, this adventure is sweeter than ever – just how Pooh would like it.
Come enjoy a taste of France on Bastille Day, and every day, at Mimi’s Cafe. The culinary adventure kicks off July 14, in honor of French Independence Day. Mimi’s® is offering new French-inspired menus and a chance to win a trip to Provence. Mimi’s will also debut its luscious new Chocolate Mousse Muffin with a tasty offer: two free muffins with valid coupon and any purchase.*
“Bastille Day is a perfect time for guests to declare their independence from ordinary cuisine and try something that is both extraordinary and uniquely Mimi’s,” said Mark Mears, President and Chief Concept Officer. “Mimi’s Cafe offers the charm, flavors and simple joys of a neighborhood bistro where food and wine are celebrated and memorable moments are shared.”
For more than 30 years, Mimi’s has delighted guests with fresh, seasonal entrées and signature breads and muffins. Mimi’s new Taste of France seasonal menus feature entrées inspired by France’s legendary food and wine regions. From sunlit fields and vineyards to Parisian open-air markets, the fresh flavors, authentic ingredients and simple preparation are the basis for Mimi’s new seasonal menu series.
The Tour de Provence is the first destination on Mimi’s Taste of France culinary journey, offering unique, flavorful entrées in attractive value priced meals. Among the enticing new dishes: Cinnamon Brioche French Toast, Le Grand Bleu Burger, Chicken Provence, and Provençal Glazed Shrimp & Asparagus Ravioli. The Tour de Provence Seasonal Breakfast Entrées range from $3.99 to $8.99, the Two-Course Seasonal Lunch Menu is $10.99 and includes a beverage, and the Three-Course Seasonal Dinner Menu is $13.99.
The French art of cooking with chocolate is the inspiration for Mimi’s new Chocolate Mousse Muffin and Chocolate Mousse Muffin Sundae. Guests can enjoy a free two-pack of Mimi’s muffins including the new Chocolate Mousse Muffin with valid coupon and any purchase, while they last, on Bastille Day. The printable coupon is available at www.mimiscafe.com or through Mimi’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mimiscafe.
From July 5 through Aug. 15, guests can simply “like” Mimi’s on Facebook to participate in the Chance for France Giveaway and enter for a chance to win more than 100 prizes. The grand prize is a five-day, four-night trip for two to Provence, including round-trip air transportation and accommodations. The giveaway will also include a one-year supply of Mimi’s famous muffins for five lucky winners and $25 Mimi’s Cafe gift cards will be awarded to 96 participants. The grand prize winner will be announced in September.
Mimi’s Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mimi’s offers private dining rooms for special gatherings, catering and to-go menus, and online ordering. Many restaurants have a full bar featuring specialty cocktails, and all restaurants serve wine and beer. For information, please visit MimisCafe.com, or find Mimi’s at Facebook.com/MimisCafe and at Twitter.com/mimis_cafe. Sign up for Mimi’s® eClub to receive a free breakfast coupon and exciting deals throughout the year.
*Valid for one (1) offer per table with printable coupon available at www.mimiscafe.com or through Mimi’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mimiscafe. Purchase required. Not valid with any other offers, no cash value, excludes alcohol, tax, and gratuity. Must print coupon and present to server to receive discount.
Along with the debut of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, these new experiences will complete the transformation of Paradise Pier, a section of the park reminiscent of a seaside amusement park of the 1930s.
The fun at Paradise Pier adds to the excitement of Disney Soundsational Summer, June 3 through Sept 5, offering guests even more ways to make special memories at the Disneyland Resort,
New dining locations also make their debut July 1, offering a variety of options for lunch, dinner and snacks at Paradise Pier — Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Garden Grill and Bayside Brews, a beer and pretzel kiosk. This spring, the popular Corn Dog Castle made its return and Seaside Souvenirs opened as a restyled merchandise location.
During the past two years, Walt Disney Imagineers have added new attractions, enhanced the entertainment offerings and updated the architecture in Paradise Pier, the boardwalk area surrounding Paradise Bay. The water spectacular “World of Color” opened in 2010, along with Silly Symphony Swings, and guests first enjoyed the high-scoring fun of Toy Story Mania! in 2008.
Ariel and Goofy are now part of the cast of Disney characters along Paradise Bay, inviting guests to stay and play all summer long.
Goofy’s Sky School – Joining the fun along Paradise Pier July 1, this coaster attraction invites guests to enroll in Goofy’s Sky School, a hilarious adventure filled with zany dips, twists and family thrills. Inspired by the classic Goofy “How-to” shorts of the 1940s and 1950s as well as the cartoon short, “Goofy’s Glider,” the attraction takes “novice pilots” on a flying lesson through the wild, blue yonder. Zipping over and through the clouds, the flight path rises three stories high with plenty of wacky antics and instruction from Goofy via whimsically animated billboards.
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta – The sights and sounds of the boardwalk are part of the flavor at this quick-service Italian eatery, which offers something for everyone. The menu includes delicious pasta dishes and salads, and guests will be able to watch their flatbread pizza being pulled piping hot from the ovens. Flatbreads run the gamut from a traditional cheese or pepperoni to a Portobello mushroom and spinach flatbread with pesto, artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta-salata and Pecorino Romano cheese. Pasta fans can dig into classic spaghetti and meatballs, pasta tossed with chicken in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, or five-cheese ravioli with pesto and toasted pine nuts.
Hearty salads include a chicken Caesar; Mediterranean chef salad with provolone, salami, capocollo, fresh mozzarella, cured ham, roasted peppers, olives and greens in a red wine vinaigrette; and a field greens salad with Craisins® dried cranberries, raisins, caramelized pecans and a basil vinaigrette. Vegetarian options are also available.
Paradise Garden Grill – Guests will find a Mediterranean spin on the food at this location with a variety of skewers and kabobs. Signature items include chicken, beef, vegetable, and tofu skewers served with rice pilaf, cucumber salad and grilled pita bread, with a selection of sauces, including Moroccan chili tomato and tandoori-spiced yogurt. Refreshing Greek salads and a kid’s menu are also available
Bayside Brews – Warm, salted pretzels are an ideal treat to pair with a cold beer, available at this new kiosk beginning July 1 at Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure park. Bayside Brews will offer beverages and six types of beers on tap, for guests 21 years of age and older. The beers include domestic and specialty brews.
Corn Dog Castle – This boardwalk favorite returns to serve one of California’s favorite beach snacks. The quick-serve eatery offers two choices for corn dog fans, original and hot link. A meatless option is also available, as a delicious, deep-fried cheddar cheese stick.
Seaside Souvenirs – This quaint boardwalk mercantile recalls the nautical-themed curio shops of seaside towns across the land. Formerly known as Souvenir 66, the mementos here are themed to the nearby The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction, and it also carries general merchandise and sundries.
Fun Facts About Goofy’s Sky School: The attraction is inspired by the classic Goofy “how-to” short films of the 1940s and 1950s as well as the cartoon short, “Goofy’s Glider.” The flight instructor’s motto is on the entrance sign: “Fly the Goofy Way.” The attraction tells the story of Goofy’s decision to launch a flight academy following a failed attempt as an egg farmer on his California farmland. Residents of the egg farm-turned-flight school still linger on the premises, making this wacky flight school even more thrilling. Guests will enjoy unexpected turns on this “flight,” which features several “switchback” sections over 1,200 feet of track. Attraction vehicles will hold four guests per car. Guests must be 42 inches tall to ride, and FastPass is available for Goofy’s Sky School.
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
