Patricia Heaton stars as Frankie Heck in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Frankie Heck is a superhero. Well, no, not an actual superhero – but sometimes it seems to Frankie as though getting her kids out the door for school every morning is a superheroic act. Middle aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country, this harried wife and working mother of three uses her wry wit and sense of humor to try to get her family through each day intact.
Eldest son Axl (Charlie McDermott) is in jaded teen mode; he is unenthused, unmotivated, and often undressed. Overlooked middle child Sue (Eden Sher) is a notorious underachiever who has tried and failed at nearly every extracurricular activity, but persists with a braced smile. The youngest, quirky 8-year-old Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is a self-whispering social outcast and a bookworm.
Some viewers have cited things like the Hecks are a positive depiction of a healthy family or that they are fundamentally good people. To be sure, those are both nice qualities, but as a television comedy, the more important thing is, are they entertaining?
“The Middle” is a crowd pleaser that is refreshing and appealing to its core. The casting and characterizations are enough to hope the series endures. The staff concocts enough strong, organic storylines to carry them through a debut season with very little evidence of weakness or fatigue. Heaton (who also ably narrates) and Flynn both regularly entertain, without us connecting them to their long-running past TV roles. Each is comfortable with the parental material, which largely steers clear of jokes for more satisfying and nuanced humor of interaction. The fine deliveries of the two actors elevate already sound writing.
Rounding out the principal cast are Chris Kattan as Frankie’s sympathetic co-worker, a recurring Brian Doyle-Murray as her sexist old boss, and an unseen, uncredited Bob Clendenin who is funny.
“The Middle” puts a modern spin on the now archaic design of brightly-lit three-walled sets and warmed-up studio audiences. Also, things are more subtle, less broad and rigidly structured here, not to mention that the mother is the lead and the father is not a dunce. Still, the humorous but heartfelt approach to family life renders this a mature, in a likable long tradition.
With five new maze experiences, new “Scare Zones,” a new “Terror Tram” backlot experience and the addition of the blockbuster new attraction, “King Kong 360 3D Created by Peter Jackson” – the world’s largest, most intense 3D experience – Universal Studios HollywoodSM is preparing to bring the legends of movie horror to life for Halloween Horror Nights®, Southern California’s most terrifying and exciting Halloween event. Tickets are now on sale atwww.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood including a new “Killer Deal Nights” option, providing discounts of up to $25 for selected dates. Advance purchase is recommended as event nights will sell out.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood begins Friday, September 24 and continues on weekends and other select nights through Sunday, October 31.
Halloween Horror Nights mazes will include the all-new “A Nightmare On Elm Street™: Never Sleep Again,” “Friday the 13th™: Kill, Jason, Kill!,” Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses in 3D Zombievison,” “Vampyre: Castle of the Undead” plus “Saw: Game On.” Among the six “Scare Zones” is a new “La Llorona” experience, based upon the timeless Mexican legend.
“Chucky’s Revenge” – an all-new “Terror Tram” experience — plus an express visit to the new blockbuster attraction, “King Kong 360 3D” Created by Peter Jackson and an all-new “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” show will also be featured within the event.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s favorite thrill-ride attractions will also remain open for “Halloween Horror Nights” nocturnal affair, many with menacing twists. Favorites include “The Simpsons Ride™,” “Revenge of the MummySM – The Ride” and “Jurassic Park® In the Dark.”
Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” will be available at HalloweenHorrorNights.com and also on Twitter and Facebook, as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Fans are invited to follow John Murdy on Twitter at: Twitter.com/HorrorNights or via Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood (Official).”
Halloween Horror Nights will continue on consecutive weekends and selected weekday nights beginning Friday, September 24 through Halloween, Sunday, October 31. Event dates are: September 24, 25 and October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16,17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31. The event will begin nightly at 7 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event. Official Site here. . .
Chaos reigns in Los Angeles after a mysterious event causes everyone in the world to lose consciousness at exactly the same moment. Was it an act of nature? Something man‐made gone wrong, or something even more sinister? Whatever it was, every person on Earth blacks out for two minutes and seventeen seconds and sees a series of events from their own future, taking place on April 29, 2010 at 10:00 p.m. For some the future will be joyous and hopeful; for others, shockingly unexpected; and for a few, it simply doesn’t seem to exist. Knowing their fate will alter each person’s life in one way or another and poses the questions: Can destiny be changed? And by changing just one destiny, what effect would that have on those of others?
“FlashForward” stars Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford, John Cho as Demetri Noh, Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe, Zachary Knighton as Bryce Varley, Peyton List as Nicole Kirby, Dominic Monaghan as Simon, Brían F. O’Byrne as Aaron Stark, Courtney B. Vance as Stanford Wedeck, Sonya Walger as Olivia Benford and Christine Woods as Janis Hawk.
(Crash Forward – On Location Bonus on the DVD)
Uncover the answers and delve even deeper into the mind-bending story with riveting bonus features, including a behind-the-scenes look at the phenomenal freeway disaster scene and inside stories about the series from the cast and crew. Relive every brilliant twist of the groundbreaking show’s complete series – uninterrupted – in this 5-disc collection. It’s a must-have for any FlashForward fan!
Bonus Materials Include:
ARCHITECTS OF DESTINY – This cool behind‐the‐scenes bonus feature takes audiences from the filming of the pilot episode through the excitement of the season premiere and production of the entire first season, taking an in‐depth look at each of the characters
BLOOPER REEL ‐ A hilarious reel, highlighting some scenes that didn’t quite go as planned
DELETED SCENES
MEET YÛKO ‐ Meet one of Japan’s biggest stars Yûko Takeuchi as she travels from Tokyo to LA, to play Keiko, the love interest Zach sees in his FlashForward. Yûko gets a taste of Hollywood with a tour of the Walt Disney Studios where FlashForward is filmed and her first meeting with the series’ cast and crew.
FLASHFORWARD ON SET ‐ An inside look on set of FlashForward with the cast and crew that make each thrilling episode. • Tempting Fate ‐ An Inside Look At The Blue Hand Club • A Day In The Park ‐ On location at MacArthur Park • When Nature Calls‐ Courtney Vance’s Bathroom Scene • Crash Forward ‐ Car Chase from Course Correction • Emergency Operations ‐ Make‐up and Special Effects at the hospital.
KANGAROO? ‐ What’s up with the Kangaroo? Find out in this humorous piece.
INTERVIEWS FROM THE MOSAIC COLLECTIVE • Tokyo, Japan • London, England • Cocoa Beach, Florida • Los Angeles, California
CREATING A CATASTROPHE: THE EFFECTS OF A GLOBAL BLACKOUT – takes viewers behind‐the‐scenes of the pilot, to discover what went in to creating FlashForward’s most iconic scene, the freeway disaster. Viewers will explore through interviews with David S. Goyer and his on‐set production team how destruction is developed and explosions are executed.
“COULD” ‐ A dramatic look at the second half of FlashForward, narrated by Dominic Monaghan
Turner Classic Movies and Warner Brothers have teamed up to issue a new edition of the TCM Spotlight series, this time a five-film set of WWII-era action pictures starring Errol Flynn. Although highly propagandistic on the surface, these films are quite entertaining and admirably made. Four out of the five are directed by the perennially unsung Raoul Walsh, a filmmaker of great force and economy who presaged the work of Don Siegel (who did the montages for a few of these pictures as well as Casablanca before coming into his own as a director). Walsh had an understated style but he knew how to capture complex movement and character interaction with a minimum of set-ups and cuts. His kind of talent was rare within the studio system, which forced directors to work cheap and fast, and Walsh’s ability to create a fluid narrative within such constraints is enshrined here in this release just as effectively as Flynn’s star power and unmatched charisma.
Unlike so many boxed-set tributes to actors, this one’s actually got a tight, logical theme: Errol Flynn Adventures offers five World War II pictures made at Warner Bros. during Flynn’s reign as a top leading man. Four of the films were directed by one of Flynn’s favored collaborators, the robust Raoul Walsh, and all of them have an urgent wartime commitment that puts them in a zone between entertainment and propaganda.
This DVD has some wonderful extras. Each film is complete with “A Warner Night at the Movies” segment, which gives you the same pre-show features that a film of the forties would have had. A cartoon; a newsreel; short subjects and other little treats make each disc a tribute to the golden age of films when they were accompanied by several extras.
Desperate Journey (1942) American pilots stranded in Germany during World War II fight their way to freedom. Also stars Ronald Reagan as Flying Officer Johnny Hammond. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Special Features: Warner Night at the Movies 1942 Short Subjects Gallery: 1. Vintage Newsreel 2. OscarÒ-Nominated** Patriotic Short: The Tanks Are Coming 3. Musical Shorts: Borrah Minnevitch and His Harmonica School and The United States Army Air Force Band 4. Classic Cartoon: The Dover Boys at Pimento University or The Rivals of Roquefort Hall 5. Trailers of Desperate Journey and 1942’s Murder in the Big House
Northern Pursuit (1943) Icebound wilds and ice-blooded Nazis! Canadian officer Flynn infiltrates a cadre of Nazi saboteurs, pretending to guide them toward their destination while unraveling their scheme. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Special Features: Warner Night at the Movies 1943 Short Subjects Gallery: 1. Vintage Newsreel 2. Wartime Short: The Rear Gunner 3. Musical Short: All-Star Melody Masters 4. Drama Short: Over the Wall 5. Classic Cartoon: Hop and Go 6. Trailers of Northern Pursuit and 1943’s The Constant Nymph
Edge of Darkness (1943) Resistance fighters battle the Nazis in occupied Norway. Directed by Lewis Milestone.
Special Features: Warner Night at the Movies 1943 Short Subjects Gallery: 1. Vintage Newsreel 2. Musical Short: The United States Service Bands 3. Classic Cartoons: Hiss and Make Up and To Duck….or Not to Duck 4. Trailers of Edge of Darkness and 1943’s The Hard Way
Uncertain Glory (1944) A French playboy gets serious when his country is threatened during World War II. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Special Features: Warner Night at the Movies 1944 Short Subjects Gallery: 1. Vintage Newsreel 2. Musical Short: United States Coast Guard Band 3. Classic Cartoons: Brother Brat and Russian Rhapsody 4. Trailers of Uncertain Glory and 1944’s The Mask of Dimitrios
Objective, Burma! (1945) An American platoon parachutes into Burma to take out a strategic Japanese outpost. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Special Features: Commentary by Historians Rudy Behlmer, Jon Burlingame and Frank Thompson Warner Night at the Movies 1945 Short Subjects Gallery: 1. Vintage Newsreel 2. Joe McDoakes Comedy Short: So You Think You’re Allergic 3. Classic Cartoon: A Tale of Two Mice 4. Trailers of Objective, Burma! and 1945’s Pride of the Marines
Lost was one of my favorite shows. For me, this was the epitome of appointment television and one of the few programs I tried to watch live every week. When I heard that showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse actually requested an end date, I was thrilled at the implications. In my mind, this was proof that there was a gameplan all along. They had a definitive story they were trying to tell, one with a beginning, middle, and ultimately, an end. So why is it that they felt the need to alter the structure of the final season by introducing the now-infamous “flash sideways?”
The end of Season 5 presented a brilliant storytelling narrative. It appeared as if most of the cast were killed off in an explosion. An explosion that would potentially reset the timeline as if they never crashed on the island to begin with. When Season 6 started, these flash sideways appeared to be that alternate reality. They intercut this world with a parallel story in which the timeline never reset, and they were still on the island. Eventually, it appeared that these realities were bleeding together. To me, this was a pretty cool idea, confusing as it may have been. However, Lindelof and Cuse refrained from specifically clarifying what they were doing until the final episode.
I have two major issues with this alternate reality. The first being that it didn’t enhance any of the story that came before. Without giving away the payoff, this reality served no function within the grand scheme of the show. Other than providing a red herring (albeit a really cool one), this storytelling device could have been completely excised from the show, and in my opinion, not affected the story in any way.
My other problem is that the alternate world just wasn’t interesting. The show always felt very cinematic in it’s exploration of the island, but by placing our characters in the real world, the show started to feel cheap and generic. The little teases and clues were always fun, but as the season progressed, the story lost momentum. I found myself anxiously waiting to get back to the island, and what I found to be a terrific storyline.
This would be the story of Jacob and the Man in Black. These two characters provided the real meat of the season, exploring a fascinating history that brought much needed clarification to the present. I’ve read a lot of controversy as to the direction these characters pushed the show, especially in the episode “Across the Sea,” but I completely enjoyed it. Again, I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that their story is truly epic and spans centuries. This is why I found it so frustrating to be completely immersed in their complicated battle, only to be suddently ripped away to something as bland as Sawyer as a cop.
Particularly fascinating were the evolutions of Ben and Locke. I wouldn’t dare to ruin the specifics of their characters, but I can say that by the end, these were not the same people we were introduced to many years ago. If there is one thing that the writers understood, it was character. Even in the flash-sideways, they never lost sight of that. It was the greater story that suffered.
One of the highlights of the recently released DVD is a short film entitled “The Man In Charge.” I can’t discuss the specifics of this without ruining key plot points, but I can say that Ben plays a pivotal role. It was a nice treat to get to go back and revisit some of these characters I thought I would never see again. This short also provides a couple of additional answers, although nothing we hadn’t pretty much guessed by this point to begin with. There is also a documentary that runs just over 38 minutes entitled “Crafting A Final Season.” Featuring several interviews, this puts into perspective how difficult the process of ending the show was. Both from a story-telling perspective, as well as an emotional one, this was a tough program for most of the cast and crew to put behind them.
(The Cast and Crew talk about the final script on red paper)
Also included is a feature called “A Hero’s Journey,” which breaks down the characters from the perspective of, as the title says, a hero’s journey. I found this particular segment to be pretty uninteresting overall. After this was the extra called “See You In Another Life, Brotha.” This was a classic line from earlier in the show, but this feature explored the flash-sideways and gave a lot of different perspectives on the situation. Mostly consisting of the cast discussing how liberating it was to shoot real-world scenes, this feature did nothing to sway my opinion of this storyline.
As with every Lost DVD, they also include several behind-the-scenes features specific to individual episodes. There are six on this set, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I love getting to watch this kind of analysis on a case-by-case basis, seeing the cast and crew in their element, actually creating these moments.
In ranking the seasons, I would probably place Season 6 towards the bottom. That doesn’t mean that it’s not worthwhile, and even occasionally great. There are moments that rival anything they’ve ever done before. You just have to sit through a lot of filler to get to them, which is something I’m not used to with this show.
A record field of more than 14,000 registered participants will take to the streets of Disneyland Resort and the city of Anaheim for the fifth anniversary of “The Happiest Race on Earth” — the Disneyland Half Marathon. In addition to the 13.1-mile half marathon, the weekend features activities for the entire family, including a Health & Fitness Expo, Disneyland Fabulous 5K presented by the Los Angeles Times, and Kids’ Races.
In true Disney fashion, the fifth anniversary of the race weekend will be celebrated in several ways. Athletes who complete the half marathon will be rewarded with a commemorative edition finisher medal featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle circled by a vibrant number “5” and running Mickey Mouse. Nearly 570 “Legacy Runners” — those who will be running in their fifth Disneyland half marathon — will also receive special recognition throughout the race weekend.
Participants from 16 countries and all 50 U.S. states are set to compete in weekend races. More than 14,000 are registered for the Half Marathon Sept. 5, and 5,000 are registered in the Family 5K and Kids’ Races, Sept. 4. Participants and the general public can also visit the Disneyland Health and Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel. The expo features the latest in official Disneyland Half Marathon merchandise and more than 90 vendors of fitness apparel, footwear, sunglasses, high tech gadgets and nutritional products.
The Disneyland Half Marathon features a course unlike any other in the world. Passing through the two Disneyland Resort theme parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — and the streets of Anaheim, participants will experience a race full of inspiration that only Disney can provide, including live entertainers and Disney characters at the start line and along the route. The road race has become popular for its flat loop course and mild climate — ideal for personal best times. Hosted by the Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim, it reached registration capacity — for the fifth consecutive year – in late spring.
“We are so proud to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Disneyland Half Marathon,” said Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis. “This unique event has become a tradition of fun and memories for thousands of athletes and their families. We share the success of this event with the city of Anaheim. Since 2006, we have jointly brought more than 80,000 participants from around the world to the Anaheim Resort Area.”
Throughout the race, runners will pass Disneyland icons such as Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn, Anaheim landmarks such as the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center and will see themselves on the jumbo screen running on the field inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim, before finally crossing the finish line next to the Disneyland Hotel.
An estimated 2,350 runners are eligible to earn a special medal for the third annual Disney’s Coast to Coast Challenge Race. To be eligible, runners must have completed the Walt Disney World Marathon or Half Marathon or Disney’s Princess Half Marathon this year at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., in addition to completing the 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon. The Coast to Coast medal showcases the iconic statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse (known as the Partners Statue).
The next Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will take place Sept. 2–4, 2011. Registration is scheduled to open Jan. 3, 2011, for the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon.
Disney villains will invade Disneyland park along with Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes when Halloween Time returns to Disneyland Resort Sept. 17 through Oct. 31. Highlights of the Disneyland Halloween season include the return of Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy – the thrillingly “haunted” version of the popular Tomorrowland attraction – and the longtime favorite Haunted Mansion Holiday, in which Halloween and Christmas collide for an attraction inspired by “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.” Guests also will enjoy the new, nighttime water spectacular “World of Color,” performing nightly at Disney California Adventure park.
Halloween Time offers families a chance to enjoy seasonal attractions and décor, as well as interact with beloved Disney characters decked out in whimsical Halloween costumes. Guests also will experience spooky fun with Disney’s more sinister characters, the Disney Villains. In addition, the private-party celebration that has been so popular with guests will return for 10 special nights in October as Mickey’s Halloween Party.
Moving to Disneyland this year with a new name, Mickey’s Halloween Party is the separate-ticket event that invites adults and children to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat at the resort. This nighttime celebration is scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays in October (1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26 and 29) plus Halloween night itself, Sunday, Oct. 31. Highlights include:
· Trick or Treating in the ultimate Disney neighborhood, with even more treats along “Mickey’s Hide-and-Go-Treat Trails” · New dance parties – at Tomorrowland Terrace and the French Market · The “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington (presented exclusively for guests of Mickey’s Halloween Party) · New surprises in “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade, performed twice nightly · Character photo locations featuring Mickey and his pals, princesses and other favorites · The opportunity to arrive three hours before the party starts to play in Disneyland · Nearly all the favorite Disneyland rides and attractions
Tickets purchased in advance for Mickey’s Halloween Party are $49 most days, while tickets purchased on the event days are $54. For Oct. 31, all tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party are $59.
Favorite Disney characters, including Mickey himself, will dress up in their favorite costumes. It’s the ideal environment to have fun, eat special holiday treats, play interactive games, listen to “spirited” music and watch a nightly character cavalcade that celebrates the season.
For Halloween fun at Disneyland, guests will enjoy Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland. The experience begins as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but suddenly launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe. Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space. The exhilarating drops and curves of the journey are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.
Jack Skellington also returns to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring back Haunted Mansion Holiday to New Orleans Square in Disneyland. Transformed to a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas tradition, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.” Jack and his friends provide plenty of havoc and surprises as they celebrate the holidays in their unusual style. Jack’s return to the Haunted Mansion includes the traditional Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion Ballroom, with some special spooky surprises in this year’s design.
Halloween Time offers frightfully delightful fun for children and adults.
· For spine-tingling fun, drop in at The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure park, where a “supernatural” event happened on Halloween evening, 1939, forever haunting the building. · Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is transformed for the Pumpkin Festival. More than 300 pumpkins will be on display in shop windows and none of them are the same! · Visitors to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland will find ranch animals, pumpkin carvers, Halloween décor and activities for youngsters, all presided over by Sheriff Woody. · Meeting Disney characters will be easier than ever as Disney villains gather to plot Halloween mischief at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in spooky attire greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. · Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland will honor Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead with traditional skeleton figures on display Sept. 19 through Nov. 2. · Special Halloween treats will be available in Disneyland, including menu items such as Zero’s Ghostly Ghoulash, served in a dog dish in honor of Zero. · Halloween Time gifts are offered in Disneyland Resort shops. Gifts include jack-o-lantern mouse ears and collectable pins depicting Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes.
For more information about Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, see www.disneyland.com/halloween. This site will be updated with frightfully fun details.
The first-ever D23 EXPO in 2009 left Disney fans asking when there would be another. On Thursday, Aug. 19, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club begins ticket sales for the next adventure – an incredible three-day event that brings the entire world of Disney under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center next Aug. 19–21.
Tickets for the D23 EXPO 2011 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time. From August 19–December 31, 2010, tickets will be $37 for a one-day adult admission and $27 for children 3-12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will be $30 for a one-day adult admission and $22 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 $204 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit www.Disney.com/D23.
In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, D23 Members can also buy new D23 EXPO VIP packages that are only available to members. These new packages offer incredible exclusive opportunities and will have very limited availability.
The PREMIERE PACKAGE includes: • Three days of admission to the D23 EXPO • Reserved seating at all events and presentations in the Arena • Access to a relaxing Premiere Lounge with concierge and complimentary refreshments, as well as a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives • A D23 EXPO autograph book • A special Premiere Package gift bag
The SORCERER PACKAGE includes: • All benefits in the Premiere Package • A private tour of and reception in the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” exhibit the night before the Expo opens • Exclusive hardhat tour of the show floor prior to opening • Limited edition artwork signed by Disney artist Dave Pacheco • Reserved seating at all presentations and panels • A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist • Special shopping opportunities at the Disney Dream Store • A hardbound, collectible D23 EXPO guidebook.
Only 250 Premiere Package tickets will be available at $500 per ticket. Availability of the Sorcerer Package will be strictly limited to 50 D23 Members at $1,000 per ticket. Both packages are only available to D23 Members.
All D23 Members – both Gold level and Silver level – can take advantage of these exclusive admission savings and access to the special packages when tickets go on sale on Thursday, Aug. 19 at www.D23Expo.com.
The D23 EXPO 2011 will also feature the Disney Legends Awards – a tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; the return of the D23 Live Auction boasting extraordinary rarities and specially designed items for Disney fans; an all-new Fan Art Contest themed to the 50th anniversary of One Hundred and One Dalmatians; Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives with an expanded exhibit of costumes, props and set pieces from Disney’s rich history; plus amazing live events, special celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks and unique experiences that celebrate the past, present and future of Disney. The D23 EXPO 2011 is scheduled to take place Aug. 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
In 2009, the first D23 EXPO brought together all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof including The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products, The Walt Disney Archives, ABC, Disney Channel, Radio Disney, and Disney Interactive Media Group to celebrate all things Disney. Stars like Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Courteney Cox, Betty White, Robin Williams, John Travolta and the cast of Wizards of Waverly Place made appearances; Miley Cyrus and Honor Society performed in concert. Imagineering legends took to the stage, and key Disney executives and creative talent including Walt Disney President and CEO Bob Iger and Disney and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter.
Gold-level D23 memberships are $74.99, and Silver-level memberships – which provide all benefits with the exception of a Disney twenty-three subscription – are just $34.99 a year. All discounts and special promotions are available to both Gold- and Silver-level D23 Members.
Disney fans can become members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at www.disney.com/D23, select shops at the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World Resorts and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23.
Golden Globe® nominee* Courteney Cox (Friends) stars in the hilarious hit comedy Cougar Town: The Complete First Season. After spending the last seventeen years as a wife and mother, recently divorced Jules (Cox) has reluctantly waded back into the dating pool and quickly finds herself in over her head. Now forty-something and single, Jules tackles real-life issues – dating, parenting and friendship. It doesn’t help Jules that her two best friends can hardly stand each other, her ex-husband is hanging around more now than he did during their marriage…and there’s that handsome divorced neighbor that Jules can’t quite get out of her head. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and featuring a cast of television’s brightest comedic stars, Cougar Town struts its stuff in this DVD collection, along with exclusive bonus features and one or two special surprises. Cougar Town – it’s more than a place, it’s a state of mind.
COUGAR TOWN: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON was created by Bill Lawrence (creator of Scrubs) and Kevin Biegel and also stars Christa Miller (“Scrubs”, “The Drew Carey Show”, “Seinfeld”), Busy Philipps (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”, “ER”), Dan Byrd (“Heroes”, “CSI”), Josh Hopkins (“Private Practice”), Ian Gomez (“The Drew Carey Show”) and Brian Van Holt (“John from Cincinnati”).
Set in the South Florida town of Gulfhaven (which of course is fictional), the series follows Jules Cobb, just hitting 40, who’s gotten divorced after seventeen years of marriage. She now lives with her 17 year-old son Travis, working as a real-estate agent with quirky friend Laurie. She lives next door to her best friend Ellie, a new mother with husband Andy. Across the street lives Grayson, a divorced bartender who annoys Jules with his revolving door of hot young ladies leaving his home. Lurking around is Jules’ ex, Bobby, an incredibly dim-witted ex-golfer who lives on a boat in the middle of a parking lot.
The first few episodes of the show are rough as it goes a bit too much into Jules wanting to be with a younger guy, openly drooling over players at a high school football game. She soon meets a young guy named Josh, who she has to “school” in his kissing technique. It puts a lot of emphasis on Jules’ age with the opening scene. They also play around a bit too much with the overt nature of the series’ tone, a lot on sex lives and such.
Cox is the centerpiece and she does an amazing job with Jules. Her humor carries her through as she’s constantly getting into other people’s affairs and the show is smart enough to call her on how she makes herself the center of the universe with her own problems. But she has a quality of likability that always has you rooting for her. Cox is also great with the sexual tones of the show, still fantastic at her age and obviously enjoys showing it off but also ably shows the fears of women aging, especially around a community of gorgeous younger women ready to step up.
Bonus Features: DVD Exclusives • Bloopers • Deleted Scenes • Taming Cougar Town – Discover How Cougar Town Has Evolved From Its Initial Comedy Pilot Into Today’s More Subtly Sexy ABC Hit • ‘Ask Barb’ series
* *Best Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy (2010)
DVD non-Exclusives • Jimmy Kimmel Live: Saber-Tooth Tiger Town • Ask Barb – The Ultimate Cougar Answers Your Questions • ‘Stroking it with Bobby Cobb’ series
I have to admit, I’ve really been dreading this review. It’s not easy for me to admit that I don’t understand something, and unfortunately, that’s the situation I find myself in now. Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, recently released on Blu-Ray, is probably an epic masterpiece. I mean, this is the first time that Shakespeare’s text has been filmed in its entirety. The story is legend, the characters infamous, and the dialogue classic. But after over four hours (!) of watching, I couldn’t even begin to recount what happened. Brilliant as it all may be, I just couldn’t follow it.
That’s not to say that I couldn’t appreciate what I was seeing. Shot in 70MM, the film is a gorgeous visual expierence. This is a lavish production; Shakespeare on a grand scale. After seeing Hamlet presented this way, I couldn’t imagine watching it scaled back to the stage. Branagh does a masterful job directing, placing the audience into the psyche of these characters. Although the Bard could have never comprehended his material being presented this way, the material almost feels as if it’s tailor-made for the cinema.
Although I never understood “what” was happening, I always felt as if I had a grasp on the emotional resonance of each moment. It’s obvious that Brannagh has an exceptional grasp on the material. I mean, as a director, he’d have to. But he never resorts to the “point and shoot” method of filmmaking. It feels as if every move of the camera is calculated, and every edit designed for maximum impact. This is pure cinema, perfectly suited to his talents.
I’ve always found it impressive when a director stars in their own film. As Hamlet, Brannagh did seem occasionally over-the-top, but I’m sure that’s the way the character is designed to be played. It’s a very theatrical performance, one that might work better on the stage. And yet, it still works here. It’s not the type of performance that I’m used to, but then again, this isn’t the type of film that I’m used to seeing.
Especially surprising is the ensemble he managed to put together. It’s quite the eclectic cast, with everyone from Robin Williams to Charlton Heston showing up. I was genuinely surprised to see some of the performances he got from people who I’ve never associated with Shakespeare. The only actor I didn’t care for was Jack Lemmon. Above all others, his acting felt recited rather than performed. But again, considering the material, even simple recitation seems impressive.
It’s apparent that there was a passion for the material from those involved. This enthusiasm comes through quite heavily in the bonus features. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that there is any new material, but rather, recycled features from previous releases. However, I still enjoyed seeing those involved elaborate on the thrill it was for them to make this movie. I found myself getting jealous of their enthusiasm for the project. It’s as if there’s a great story out there that I’ll never know thanks to my own inability to comprehend the nature in which the story is told.
The features include an introduction by Branagh, a feature on the history of Hamlet, and the theatrical trailer. There is also a commentary with Branagh and Russell Jackson, editor of “The Cambridge Guide to Shakespeare on Film” as well as the professor of drama and theatre arts at the University of Birmingham. When writing these articles, I almost always watch the commentary tracks; however, after four hours of watching the actual movie, I just couldn’t bring myself to watch this one. I’m sure it’s a fascinating listen for those interested. Unfortunately, that isn’t me.
Overall, I’m glad I had the opportunity to watch the film. I found it fascinating more than entertaining, and would highly recommend it to those who are already fans of the story. However, if you are like me, and struggle with Shakespeare to begin with, I can’t really recommend this film. Honestly, this is the first time that I’ve reviewed a film that felt like homework. And if it was, I’m afraid I would have failed.
Batman wings into an exciting new era, teaming with a mighty honor roll of DC Comics Super Heroes in this action-packed series. Through the show?s first 13 Animated Adventures in this 2-Disc Collection, the Dark Knight allies with Aquaman, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado, Green Arrow, Wildcat, Deadman, Bronze Tiger and Atom to take on an array of evildoers ranging from mad scientists to intergalactic crooks, from power-mad dictators to out-of-control teenagers. He even travels to a parallel world, becoming the villainous Owlman! In this cool, cutting-edge and often funny series bringing back old-school comic-book styling and dry wit to crimefighting, Batman faces any peril ? including other heroes stealing the show ? in his relentless pursuit of justice.
“The Brave and the Bold” takes its title from the comic book series of the same name. Originally published as a anthology series, Brave and the Bold would cement its place in history with issue #38 which featured the first appearance of the Justice League of America. Following that successful debut, the comic became a series of team-up stories usually with Batman and another hero battling some menace they wouldn´t be able to handle on their own.
This Batman isn´t moping around in the Bat-Cave. He´s less intense and more fun-loving. Sure, he saw his parents murdered in front of his very eyes as a child, but he isn´t letting that get him down. He´s someone who actually enjoys the adventures and battles that come with costumed crime fighting.
The format for each episode usually begins with a prologue as Batman and another hero finishing up a case and rounding up the villain. Following the opener, the show begins as the Dark Knight joins forces with yet another superhero to do battle against the forces of evil.
The DVD set includes two discs containing the first 13 episodes of season one. There are no Special Features included.
While the new series is quite enjoyable, not everyone will like the lighter tone. It still deals with the serious issue of Bruce’s parents being killed, but doesn’t dwell on that topic. Most of the time it does a fairly good job of staying away from being too silly, but sometimes it does dip a little too low. The loud-mouthed, over-the-top Aquaman is the best example of when it goes too far. But if you really are a Batman fan, this DVD set will be a nice edition to your collection.
The mystery and legends of an ancient time will be experienced like never before when Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time arrives on 3-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), 1-Disc Blu-ray and 1- Disc DVD on September 14, 2010 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is the perfect film to experience the cinematic magic of Blu-ray – the pristine 1080p picture and DTS-HD Master Audio sound quality enhance the explosive action and special effects – and contains more bonus features than the DVD.
Academy Award® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (2005, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Brokeback Mountain), Academy Award® winner Sir Ben Kingsley (1982, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Gandhi), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2, The Da Vinci Code) and Gemma Arterton (Clash of the Titans, Quantum of Solace) lead the international cast in this epic action-adventure film filled with spectacular visual effects, exotic locales and breathtaking action. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy, National Treasure) and directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time boasts a sandstorm of bonus features that bring viewers deep into the mystical lands of Persia and unlock the secrets behind the scenes of this imaginative and entertaining adventure. The combo-pack exclusive ―Sands of Time‖ feature gives fans control of the Dagger of Time, allowing them to rewind time and uncover behind the scenes magic in over 40 spellbinding segments.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is available in a 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), 1-Disc Blu-ray, and 1-Disc DVD and Movie Download.
Synopsis: In the spirit of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films transport you to the mystical lands of Persia for this wildly entertaining, epic action-adventure. It‘s a race against time when a rogue prince (Jake Gyllenhaal) reluctantly teams up with a rival princess (Gemma Arterton) to safeguard a magical dagger that gives its possessor the power to reverse time and rule the world. Filled with death-defying escapes and unexpected twists at every turn – Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a fun-filled adventure that will keep your pulse pounding long after the credits end.
DVD Bonus Feature:
An Unseen World: Making Prince of Persia – A look behind the scenes on the set of the film.
1-Disc Blu-ray Bonus Feature: All of above DVD bonus plus
Deleted Scene – The Banquet: Garsiv Presents Heads
3-Disc Combo Pack Bonus Features: All of the above DVD and Blu-ray bonus features plus
CineExplore: The Sands of Time – Take control of the dagger and use it to unlock secrets behind your favorite scenes! Turn back time and uncover over 40 spellbinding segments – including ―Walking Up Walls,‖ ―Filming in Morocco‖, and ―Ostrich Jockey Tryouts‖ – with this exclusive interactive feature. Blu-ray puts you in control!
