Coming this Fall to the Disneyland Resort!
Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season on DVD
Last November, I wrote a pretty scathing review of the seventh season of Scrubs. It pained me to watch one of my favorite comedies devolve into the mess it had become, but I tried to remain positive. I ended my review with the hope that the writers would find a “new level of creativity that has been long missing,” and that they “remember to be funny while they are doing it.” Well, I am thrilled to say that they succeeded on both counts.
A large part of this improvement can be attributed to all the new characters. This season found a new group of interns joining the Sacred Heart staff, and in a perfect example of a show coming full circle, the characters that began the show as interns eight years ago must now train the new batch. As well as providing a thematically perfect season, these new additions also proved to be a hilarious group of comic foils for the leads to play off. All the interns were cliched stereotypes on the surface (the tough one, the peppy one, etc.), but there was a depth to them that was unexpected and thoroughly entertaining. As the season went along, they became real characters, and I found myself just as involved in their stories as those of the leads.
Now don’t get me wrong, this season isn’t perfect. Every year, Scrubs has a gimmick episode (the musical, the sitcom, the fantasy, etc.) and this season found the gang in the Bahamas. This two-part episode was painfully unfunny, and although it tried to acknowledge the ridiculousness of the situation with several references to a similarly themed Brady Bunch episode, the whole thing fell flat. Coming right in the middle of the season, it didn’t fit with the rest of the year.
One of the longest extras on the newly released Season 8 DVD is a documentary about the filming of this “very special episode” in the Bahamas. They acknowledge the ridiculousness of the whole premise, but seemed to genuinely think they were making a hilarious episode. They weren’t. Interestingly, the biggest feature on the Season 7 DVD was also a documentary about their gimmick episode (a Monty Python-esque fantasy), and it too was pretty bland. While I love the show, the DVD extras could definitely be more compelling.
Having said that, I did enjoy the Webisodes included on the disc. They feature the interns (in case you can’t tell, I really like this group), and while they do include cameos from the principal cast, they also showcase the ability of these characters to carry their own show. There are rumors about a possible spin-off, and I really hope we get that show someday.
The DVD also includes some mildly funny bloopers, deleted scenes, etc. Overall, it’s a solid set, but I thought this great season deserved a better release. I should also note that the Season (series?) finale is one of the most perfect endings to a sitcom I have ever seen. I don’t want to give anything away, but it is a beautiful ending; artistic and emotionally satisfying. It gives closure to all of the main characters in an incredibly moving way. Any desire I had for another season was immediately removed after this, and I really hope that we get to remember seeing these characters for the last time in this perfect ending.
AMERICAN SON on DVD
A young Marine returns home for what might be the last time in American Son, a gritty and affecting drama coming to DVD on August 25, 2009 from Miramax Films and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Exclusive bonus features, including interviews with the filmmakers, provide an unflinching look behind the scenes of this cinematic tour de force about a young man’s uncertain coming of age.
Mike (Nick Cannon) just arrived from Iraq. He meets a Latina girl named Cristina (Melonie Diaz) on the bus who he falls in love with. Mike and his father Eddie try to help their brother who is a crack fiend but to no avail. Mike struggles to find himself whether he really is fit to be a Marine. Mike and Cristina for the most part hang out and party. He flips out at a party and beats up a gang member for hitting on his girl Cristina. Mike and his long time friend Jake (Matt O’Leary) have a fall out. Her mother then finds out that Mike is going to fight in Iraq. It’s tearful ending when you watch her mother send away her young son to war.
This indie film’s special features are limited to three which aren’t particularly interesting or entertaining. These sections include “On Leave in Bakersfield: Behind the Scenes of American Son” which is a walk-through of the filming process, two deleted scenes appropriately removed from the film with optional commentary, and feature length audio commentary by director Neil Abramson and producers Danielle Renfrew and Michael Roiff.
It’s the sensational performances by Nick Cannon and Matt O’Leary that keep the film compelling, despite the fact that its attempts to make a statement fall flat. Given that the film does have a some good moments to offer, I don’t discourage people from seeing it. It’s far from a poorly made film, just a routine one that doesn’t have much creativity at its core. What you’re left with is something that’s been done before, and in a much better fashion. It’s not the first film featured with sex, drugs, and hostilities and it certainly won’t be the last.
USH presents an ALL-NEW “Halloween Horror Nights.”
With the announcement of four new maze experiences, four new “scare zones,” a new “Terror Tram” backlot experience, a “Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute” and a new “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” production, the re-imagining of Halloween Horror Nights for 2009 at Universal Studios Hollywood is now complete, setting the stage for the most intense and impactful “live” horror event ever to be presented in a theme park environment.
Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California’s most terrifying Halloween event, begins a 16-night run on Friday, October 2. Tickets are on sale at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com beginning today at 4:00pm.
New “Halloween Horror Nights” attractions will include “Saw: Game Over,” a “live” maze experience based on the “Saw” film franchise, per an agreement among Universal Studios Theme Parks, Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures. The interactive maze, “Halloween: The Life and Crimes of Michael Myers,” per an agreement reached between the theme park and Compass International Pictures. will be the first attraction based upon the “Halloween” films to be created by a U.S. theme park. The “live” multi-sensory horror experience, “My Bloody Valentine: Be Mine 4 Ever,” per an agreement between the theme park and Lionsgate®, the leading next generation studio, will be based on the 2009 theatrical re-make of the original 1981 Canadian slasher classic and will be the most lifelike representation of film horror ever created for a Halloween maze attraction. “Chucky’s Fun House” will be a fresh, flesh-and-blood incarnation of one of Universal’s most iconic horror franchises, and a more intense, interactive horror experience will be realized on the new “Terror Tram: Live or Die” walk-through attraction on the historic Universal backlot.
The “Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute,” bringing the mayhem of the classic horror spoof to life on-screen and on-stage with live performers singing and dancing in the celebrated, outrageous “Rocky Horror” costumes, will also be part of the Halloween Horror Nights event, per an agreement between the theme park and Twentieth Century Fox’s Licensing & Merchandising Division. An all-new “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” show will also be featured within the event.
New “scare zones” will include a live staging of the 2004 Universal cult hit, “Shaun of the Dead,” a “Welcome to Hell!” where the seven deadly sins are punished by stilt walking demons whose torments are punctuated by dramatic fire effects. In the “The Meat Market,” fog will roll across rotting, maggot-infested animal carcasses and the whirling blades of the butchers’ chainsaws will be the only noise loud enough to drown out the sound of buzzing flies. In the final “scare zone,” “Freakz,” the denizens of and old carnival Freak Show will have developed a taste for human flesh.
Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” are available at www.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).”
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 Mummy – The Ride” and “Jurassic Park® In the Dark.”
“Halloween Horror Nights” will continue on consecutive weekends and selected weekday nights beginning on Friday, October 2 through Halloween, Saturday, October 31. Event dates are: October 2-3, 9-11, 15-18, 23-25, 28-31. The event will begin nightly at 7:00 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event.
ADVENTURELAND on Blu-ray and DVD!
Having grown up in the eighties, I was really looking forward to the nostalgia promised by the trailers for Adventureland. In this respect, the previews didn’t lie. Everything regarding the time period feels right. The film doesn’t simply appear to be recreating the stereotypes of the decade, but genuinely feels as if it is from that time. However, the trailers also billed the film as a comedy, and in this respect they were completely off the mark.
For those who don’t know, Adventureland is the name of the mediocre theme park where James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) is forced to take a summer job. Once there, he meets the expected crew of misfits, jocks, hot girls, and of course Em, the requisite love interest (Kristen Stewart). Everybody working at Adventureland seems to want more out of life, and have dejectedly resigned themselves to their fate. They all feel trapped, even the park mechanic (Ryan Reynolds) who is cheating on his wife with Em.
As should be pretty apparent, there aren’t a lot of laughs in this movie. All of the characters are pretty miserable, and their only escape is through constant partying, drinking, and drug use. In fact, the only real humor of the movie comes from the managers of the park, played by the always hilarious Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig. Coming from SNL, they don’t really fit into the film thematically. Their characters are much broader and way more over-the-top. However, I found myself far more entertained whenever they were on screen.
Despite their presence, this is a subtle movie filled with realistic characters and authentic performances. However, it’s not all that entertaining. I loved the look and the feel of the film, but I didn’t find myself caring about any of the characters. Maybe I just couldn’t identify with their angst, but I really was expecting something more.
In watching the extras on the Blu-Ray, it feels as if there was a point where this was going to be a more straightforward comedy. Featuring fake commercials, an orientation video, etc. there seems to be a higher degree of satire than made it into the film. One of the many reasons the film feels so natural in depicting the eighties is the terrific soundtrack from the time. In putting the Blu-Ray together, they included a feature where you can select any of the songs from the film, and go directly to the scene where that song is featured. There is also a commentary with writer/director Greg Mottola (Superbad).
However, the most interesting feature for me was the brief making-of video where they showcase the real theme park where they filmed the movie. It was shot in a park called Kennywood and they didn’t have to change anything in terms of location. This is a real park that barely evolved visually since the eighties, and it is really neat to see that places like this exist in today’s modern, high-tech world.
Overall, I find it really hard to recommend this movie. I can appreciate the subtlety they were going for, but as a whole it just doesn’t work. I get why they had to market the film as they did, and I just wish that the finished product was more like what the advertising promised. Adventureland might make a decent rental for the eighties nostalgia, but beyond that, it’s just not worth it.
Movie Review: "Post Grad"
Post Grad is exactly what is expected from the trailer. We are dealing with a typical ‘romantic dramedy’ with a thousand subplots, subpar comedy, and one predictable outcome. Animated film director Vicky Jensen’s (SHREK) debut live-action film hits on nothing new except for the main subject matter. The execution however turned the movie into just another romantic comedy and lost all its originality from the dramedy that it was supposed to be.
The superb all-star cast is the only thing saving this movie from disaster. Post Grad was definitely watchable, and I’ll even say cute, but by no means original or heartfelt. This story is based upon the writer Kelly Fremon’s own post graduation experience when she herself had to move back home with the parents and look for any job, but yet still was unable to be hired. That much I understand. It’s when the movie takes a dramatic turn toward other plots that I realized this was made for a mass, disposable income audience with no real care for why the movie was written in the first place.
Ryden Malby, played by the lovely Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”), has been on path toward success all her life. She has always had straight A’s and been very involved with her school. Ryden has now graduated college with an English degree overconfident that her dream job is inevitable. College graduates however are entering the toughest job market in the last 30 years and Ryden is now up against a great amount of candidates that all want her dream job too. Of course she is quickly thrown out to wolves better known as the real world. Now faced with the dilemma of finding a job in the crowded City of Angels, she must also come face to face with her over passionate job hunt against the people she should actually be passionate for.
Yep, there’s the guy of the story. Zach Gilford (“Friday Night Lights”) is not exactly the love interest. He is rather the guy Ryden never saw that was always in front of her eyes who actually was in love with her. She knows it’s there, but was never sure. Strangely enough the production notes for the film don’t even mention this love story, which is odd because of how prevalent it is in the film. Hell, it’s what the climax of the movie is really all about where as the actual subject matter of the film is quickly solved and runs for… ok I guess I can’t give too much away, even though I’m sure anyone who is someone will predict this unromantic, under dramatic finish. If this is going to turn into a romantic comedy, let’s get some better written and memorable lines.
Another major predicament Ryden comes to face with is her extremely loving yet eccentric family. Every member of this family is wonderful. Not only are the actor’s great, but their character as well. Michael Keaton stars as Ryden’s crazy idea entrepreneur of a father who is never concerned about the destination of his daughter. He knows that she has something special about her that will get her where she needs to be even if it might not be what she had planned.
Other family members include her mother Carmella, played by the hilarious laugh-out-loud comedic Jane Lynch (“Glee”, 40 Year-Old Virgin), and the chain-smoking grandmother Maureen (Carol Burnett). Both get into some amusing physical humor and the grandmother delivers some classic old lady lines. Okay, I admit I laughed a bit.
My main concern is that I felt that Post Grad was all over the place and never knew what it wanted to be. Most will find the situations very relatable too allowing the film to be quite enjoyable. The potential for the film was huge and I have no doubt some indie will come and take this subject for all it is worth. I only wish they could have done it with the first attempt. I guess our lesson from Post Grad is to keep trying.
THE SIMPSONS: SEASON 12 on DVD!
Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie return for more outrageous adventures when “The Simpsons” The Complete Twelfth Season arrives on DVD August 18th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The longest running animated series in television history, the latest DVD collection features all 21 classic episodes from the 2000-01 season including Bart’s boy band odyssey in “New Kids on the Blecch” featuring pop sensations N’Sync and a hilarious less-than-ordinary day for Homer, Bart and Lisa in “Trilogy of Error.” The season also boasts an impressive line-up of talented guest stars including Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Justin Timberlake, Stephen King, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Daltry and many more.
“The Simpsons” The Complete Twelfth Season is loaded with special features including an introduction from Matt Groening; audio commentaries on every episode with Groening and “The Simpsons” Executive Producers, Writers, Actors and Directors; deleted scenes; animation showcases; original sketches; special language feature; featurettes and more. As an added bonus, the set comes in collectible packaging modeled after the overweight and over opinionated retailer Comic Book Guy.
While every season has its ups and downs, there has never been an episode that made me want to give up on it. THE SIMPSONS is a show that you really can’t judge an episode until you have seen it 10 times or so, know all the dialogue and jokes. In that way, it is sort of like a great song. The more you watch it, the more you get out of it.
“The Simpsons” The Complete Twelfth Season Special Features:
All episodes are compiled on four discs (full frame, aspect ratio 1.33:1). Each episode is presented with English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Spanish and French Stereo and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The following is a breakdown of each disc:
Disc One:
o Treehouse of Horror XI
o A Tale of Two Springfields
o Insane Clown Poppy
o Lisa the Tree Hugger
o Homer vs. Dignity
o Additional Bonus Features Include:
• Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
• Illustrated Commentary: Lisa the Tree Hugger
• Animation Showcase: Treehouse of Horror XI
• Deleted Scenes
• Special Language Feature: Homer Vs. Dignity
Disc Two:
o The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
o The Great Money Caper
o Skinner’s Sense of Snow
o HOMR
o Pokey Mom
o Worst Episode Ever
o Additional Bonus Features Include:
• Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
• Deleted Scenes
• Comic Book Guy: Best. Moments. Ever. featurette
• Illustrated Commentary: HOMR
Disc Three:
o Tennis the Menace
o Day of the Jackanapes
o New Kids on the Blecch
o Hungry, Hungry Homer
o Bye Bye Nerdie
o Simpsons Safari
o Additional Bonus Features Include:
• Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
• Deleted Scenes
• Animation Showcase: Day of the Jackanapes
Disc Four:
o Trilogy of Error
o I’m Goin’ to Praiseland
o Children of a Lesser Clod
o Simpson Tall Tales
o Additional Bonus Features Include:
• Commentaries featuring Executives Producers, Writers, Directors, Cast and many more
• Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by Executive Producer Mike Scully
• Global Fanfest
• Sketch Gallery
• Illustrated Commentary: I’m Goin’ to Praiseland
• The Commercials
Hannah Montana The Movie on DVD
Teen superstar Miley Cyrus brings her wildly popular Disney Channel alter ego down home when Hannah Montana The Movie comes to Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD on August 18, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The first-ever full-length Hannah Montana theatrical movie is available for a limited time only in a Three-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack that includes the film in both Blu-ray and DVD formats, as well as Two-Disc and Single-Disc DVD editions. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and Two-Disc DVD include DisneyFile, a digital copy of the movie that can be viewed on an array of electronic devices.
In an industry first for Blu-ray technology, Walt Disney Studios’ Hannah Montana The Movie Blu-ray Disc release will feature an interactive experience that allows viewers to create a wish list of items displayed in the film and move desired items onto the internet via BD-Live capabilities. Through “Hannah’s Country Store” viewers will be able to click on the products in the movie, obtain information about the product, and purchase the merchandise. Also available is BD Radio Disney where fans can stream live Radio Disney audio through their home entertainment system, complete with artist and song information and lyrics! Users can also quickly link to site offering their favorite songs for purchase.
Being a superstar as well as a normal teenager is getting even more complicated for Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus). Her crazy double life as pop sensation Hannah Montana is taking its toll on the teen and her family. So Miley’s dad, Robby Ray Stewart (Miley’s real-life father, Billy Ray Cyrus) decides a visit to the family farm in Tennessee to celebrate Grandma Ruby’s (Margo Martindale) birthday will bring his little girl back down to earth. Far away from the bright lights and the big city, Miley reconnects with childhood friend Travis (Lucas Till).
Their budding romance, along with the love of her family and friends, gives Miley some much- needed perspective on life. But when her pushy publicist (Vanessa Williams) comes calling and a smarmy reporter (Peter Gunn) tries to dig up the dirt on Hannah, Miley is forced to make the hardest decision of her life.
Hannah Montana The Movie stars Miley Cyrus as everyday high school girl Miley Stewart and her rock star alter ego Hannah Montana. Cyrus is joined in the film by her stellar cast mates from the hit Disney Channel series including Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel
Musso, Billy Ray Cyrus and Jason Earles. In addition, fans will enjoy special appearances by Lucas Till (Walk the Line), Vanessa Williams (“Ugly Betty”), Tyra Banks (“America’s Next Top Model”), Barry Bostwick (“Nancy Drew”), Melora Hardin (17 Again), and hit recording artists Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.
Check-out the trailer:
ROCKIN’ BONUS FEATURES
The Three-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack includes these exclusive bonus features:
• The HoeDown ThrowDown Home Experience – everyone in the movie has to learn to do it, and now you can too. Famed choreographer Jamal Sims and some of our cast members will show us all step by step how to do the dance everyone is talking about.
• The Hannah Montana Store – an interactive experience that allows viewers to create a wish list of items displayed in the film and move desired items onto the internet via BD-Live capabilities. Through “Hannah’s Country Store” viewers will be able to click on
the products in the movie, obtain information about the product, and purchase the merchandise.
• 7 Music Videos
• Find Your Way Back Home – Miley, Emily, Billy Ray, and other cast members share with us “THEIR” hometowns: the people, places & things that make ‘em special. We’ll go to a pottery class with Miley & her sister, visit their favorite ice cream shop, and other haunts around the Franklin Tennessee Town Square. Billy Ray saddles up his iron horse to show us home viewers a firsthand account of the beauty a country town like Thompson’s Station Tennessee has to offer. But not everyone is from a small country town. Emily will show us what it’s like to grow up in the entertainment Mecca we like to call Hollywood. Perhaps it will inspire us all to find a little reason to brag of our own hailing?
• Production 101: Jackson Style – Jason Earles is more than Miley’s big brother on TV. He is quite the accomplished actor. Here he will put his talents to use by interviewing cast & crew and giving us a true behind the scenes look at how this movie was made. He’ll cover the fashion, the music, the stars, lights, camera…action!
• Bloopers
• Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
• BD Radio Disney – Fans can stream live Radio Disney audio through their home entertainment system, complete with artist and song information and lyrics! Users can also quickly link to site offering their favorite songs for purchase.
Both the Three-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack and Two-Disc DVD include the following bonus features:
• New Music Video
• Find Your Way Back Home
• Production 101: Jackson Style
• Bloopers
• Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
All in all, the Hannah Montana The Movie is a fun DVD for fans of the pop phenomenon. It should give kids and adults alike ample entertainment.
Pete’s Dragon: High Flying Edition on DVD
Pete’s Dragon is an uplifting musical adventure about a spunky young orphan that blends live action and stellar Disney animation. With his only friend Elliot, a tubby, 12-foot tall dragon who can make himself invisible, Pete (Sean Marshall) takes refuge from his abusive adoptive family in the seaside town of Passamaquoddy, Maine. After Elliot’s invisible antics wreak havoc with the residents and Pete gets the blame, Nora (Helen Reedy) is touched by the youngster’s plight and takes him to live with her and her tippling father Lampie (Mickey Rooney) in the Passamaquoddy Point lighthouse. Lampie’s tipsy tales of the boy and his dragon amuse the disbelieving townsfolk, until the local quack, Dr. Terminus, discovers that Elliot is real and hatches a scheme to capture the dragon. An exciting and inspiring story with unforgettable music, including the Academy Award nominated “Candle on the Water,” “There’s Room for Everyone” and “Brazzle Dazzle Day,” Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition will be a perennial favorite with children and parents.
Animation and live-action combine to bring the magical friendship between a young orphan and his unusual best friend to life in Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition, on DVD August 18, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. A classic feel-good Disney tale for the entire family, Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition is packed with adventure, comedy and soaring musical numbers that have charmed children and adults since its 1977 debut. Now available in this special edition DVD, Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition comes with nearly an hour of brand-new bonus features, including a look at Disney’s live action/animation legacy, alternate versions of some of the film’s most beloved songs and much more.
Pete’s Dragon was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Score). The film boasts an extraordinary cast that includes Sean Marshall (“To Race the Wind”), Helen Reddy (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band), Mickey Rooney (Night at the Museum), Jeff Conaway (Grease), Shelley Winters (The Poseidon Adventure), Jim Dale (“Pushing Daisies”) and Red Buttons (“ER”), with Charlie Callas as the voice of Elliot the Dragon.
Check-out a Clip from the DVD:
Bonus Features
- • Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Disney’s Movie Magic – An entertaining new look at Disney’s pioneering work in the magical mix of live-action and animation, narrated by the star of Pete’s Dragon, Sean Marshall.
- • Deleted Storyboard Sequence: “Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliot” – A rare demo dialog track and storyboard sketches.
- • Original Song Concept: “Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)” – The first demo recording for one of the film’s unforgettable musical sequences with story sketches for an early concept of the song Pete sings to Elliot.
- • Original Demo Recordings (Audio Only) – A special audio-only feature that includes early demo versions of “Brazzle Dazzle Day” and “Every Little Piece” before they evolved into the songs heard in the movie. Also includes “The Greatest Star of All,” a song originally intended to be sung by Ferdinand, a character later deleted from the film.
- Promotional Record (Audio Only) – Pop versions of “It’s Not Easy,” “Brazzle Dazzle Day,” “There’s Room For Everyone” and Academy Award nominee for Best Song, “Candle On The Water,” originally released together on a 7” record to promote the film’s music.
- “Where’s Elliot?” – The Disappearing Dragon Game
- Pete’s Dragon Art Galleries
- Publicity
- Trailers
- About Pete’s Dragon
- Disney Family Album
- The Plausible Impossible
- Lighthouse Keeping
Pete’s Dragon is a favorite from my childhood, creating fond and happy memories. The songs and relationship between Pete and Elliott still make it a relevant film today. It is also a sweet and innocent tale that includes no gross or inappropriate humor, perfect for children of all ages.
Disneyland Resort Holds 46th Annual CM Canoe Race Finals
For more than 45 years, the Disneyland Resort has hosted Cast Member Canoe Races that take place every summer around the Rivers of America. This tradition allows participants to experience teamwork, stay healthy and have fun all at the same time.
The Canoe Races are an annual six-week competition that gives Cast Members a unique opportunity to race around the Rivers of America before the park opens to guests. The event began in 1964 when Cast Members working at Disneyland challenged each other to a race. Since then, the Canoe Races have grown into a worldwide Disney Cast Member tradition, with versions of the event held at Disney parks around the globe.
Working at a place as unique as the Disneyland Resort allows for Cast Members to participate in fun and exceptional activities that not only promote team work, but focus on individual health and wellness. In addition to canoe races, Cast Members can often be found early in the morning practicing yoga or competing in a variety of sports leagues.
Movie Review: "Ponyo"
I vigorously tried to enjoy this animation style. I really did. Unfortunately, it never captured my heart. Its simplistic design and blotchy backgrounds did nothing for me. There are some astonishing action sequences that the animators did a fantastic job with though. By no means was this film an easy feat, but it just doesn’t have much beauty other then in its vibrant colors. I realize that this is Hayao Miyazaki’s style and is very well received in Japan. I, however, am just not a fan and have no other reasoning except for I feel like I’m watching a Saturday morning cartoon on the big screen. Of course there are many other pieces that make up the film, but Ponyo still falls flat. Literally!
Ponyo is a cute innocent story based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid”. Writer and director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) brings a new adaptation beginning with a magical goldfish that has a strong desire to become human. The story begins with Sosuke (Frankie Jonas), a kind-hearted 5-year-old boy finding a strange little fish at the shore. He decides to keep the fish and take care of her himself.
The odd style from Miyazaki becomes apparent quickly. As Sosuke takes the fish, the sea begins to break apart into separate living creatures and grows eyes. Making a very odd noise, they go after Sosuke to take the fish back. It turns out that these sea creatures are brought to life by magical potions created by the fish’s dad, Fujimoto (Liam Neeson).
Liam Neeson’s character is similar to King Triton in The Little Mermaid. He is an over protector of his children with a lot of heart. His character is like an environmentalist that doesn’t like how the humans are trashing the ocean. My problem is that he was also supposed to be the antagonist. Fujimoto just wasn’t evil enough to be a bad guy. His actions were clear from the beginning and I never really saw much of a change if he was supposed to have a learning experience to change him for the better. If anything, the character should have tried to do something actually evil and realize what they were doing was wrong. There is a little bit of this, but not enough to justify him being the only bad guy.
The themes Fujimoto expresses about being environmentally conscious along with his warmth and care he had for his daughter were all to obvious. In fact, the arrival of Ponyo’s mom, Gran Mamare (Cate Blanchett), was so short and to the point that I feel his obstacle to overcome was too rushed. This is a shame because Gran Mamare is by far the neatest and prettiest character throughout. For awhile these themes are so strong and forced down our throats that I felt as if I was watching an extended version of “Captain Planet” only with an added epic soundtrack.
The soundtrack was definitely grand and ultimately beautiful. It added a great deal of emotion and impressive large scenes to the film. Although, without the majestic orchestrated music I feel the movie would have felt empty. There are times of awkward silence between dialogue and then other times where the voice cast echoes of poor dialogue. Many of the scenes have moments where I felt like Miyazaki depended on dialogue too much using it when the pictures on the screen should have done the job on its own. Sometimes the film did show what was happening, but the characters would talk to themselves in order to get across what was happening and give too much sense of what was forthcoming. For instance, near the beginning Ponyo’s father talks to himself claiming his secret area with a bad door would get into the hands of the wrong being that something terrible would ensue. Guess what happened just a few moments after.
I understand that the translation from Japanese causes unnatural and odd sentence structure, but John Lasseter stated that they were avid about translating the dialogue to sound more natural as well as have it sync with the opening of the characters mouths. This was said, but I don’t feel delivered. There were even some areas that just didn’t translate well. The name ‘Ponyo’ alone means chubby but without the negative connotation. There is no word for this in English and I believe there were other instances that they actually had other circumstances like this in the film.
Of course with bad dialogue comes even worse voice acting. Some of the voice acting was good, however at other times sounded as if the actor was just reading off a paper. Liam Neeson even sounded unprofessional, but I blame this more on the unnatural dialogue. Ponyo does feature an excellent cast of voices including Cate Blanchett, Cloris Leachman, Tina Fey, Matt Damon, Lily Tomlin and Betty White. Ponyo was voiced by Noah Cyrus, yes, Miley’s sister, and actually did a great job. Frankie Jonas however felt like he was just reading rather than acting.
The story of Ponyo’s and Sosuke’s innocent love and morals that we should contain was cute, but I have issues with other little subplots of movie. One major instance was when Sosuke’s mother Lisa (Tina Fey) leaves to help the elderly where she works from a supernatural tsunami and her son never appears too worried while he searches for her. The same goes for Lisa and her husband out at sea. Even after the storm when it appears no ships have made it, she never shows to care enough. Perhaps this is caused by the film being more of a young children’s movie then anything.
Ponyo does have some breathtaking scenes and some cute moments between Ponyo and Sosuke along with the quite hilarious Betty White and Lily Tomlin, a cranky old woman. Other than that, I don’t see the draw. I know others have loved this movie and it did extremely well in at the box offices in Japan, but for me it’s not something that interest me. I respect the fact that this is ALL hand drawn animation though. Music composer Joe Hisaishi did a fabulous job helping the movie move along. I just can’t see what anyone I know will enjoy about it. Maybe I have poor taste if I keep hearing so many other positive reviews.
Click for the Production Stills Gallery. . .
Haunted Mansion Celebrates 40 Years of Happy Haunts!
Its been 40 years since the Grim Grinning Ghosts first opened their doors and invited guests into the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Take a look back to the beginning with Walt and the Imagineers who created the beloved attraction. From stretching rooms to hitch hiking ghosts the 999 Happy Haunts never disappoint and always invite guests to hurry back!
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