To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.
From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”) comes “Barbie,” starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (“Bombshell,” “I, Tonya”) and Ryan Gosling (“La La Land,” “Half Nelson”) as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera (“End of Watch,” the “How to Train Your Dragon” films), Kate McKinnon (“Bombshell,” “Yesterday”), Issa Rae (“The Photograph,” “Insecure”), Rhea Perlman (“I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “Matilda”), and Will Ferrell (the “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights”).
The film also stars Michael Cera (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Juno”), Ariana Greenblatt (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “65”), Ana Cruz Kayne (“Little Women”), Emma Mackey (“Emily,” “Sex Education”), Hari Nef (“Assassination Nation,” “Transparent”), Alexandra Shipp (the “X-Men” films), Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami,” “Peaky Blinders”), Simu Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), Ncuti Gatwa (“Sex Education”), Scott Evans (“Grace and Frankie”), Jamie Demetriou (“Cruella”), Connor Swindells (“Sex Education,” “Emma.”), Sharon Rooney (“Dumbo,” “Jerk”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton,” “Derry Girls”), Ritu Arya (“The Umbrella Academy”), Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dua Lipa and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”).
Gerwig directed “Barbie” from a screenplay by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” “The Squid and the Whale”), based on Barbie by Mattel. The film’s producers are Oscar nominee David Heyman (“Marriage Story,” “Gravity”), Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, with Gerwig, Baumbach, Ynon Kreiz, Richard Dickson, Michael Sharp, Josey McNamara, Courtenay Valenti, Toby Emmerich and Cate Adams serving as executive producers.
Gerwig’s creative team behind the camera included Oscar-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (“The Irishman,” “Silence,” “Brokeback Mountain”), six-time Oscar-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Anna Karenina”), editor Nick Houy (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”), Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”), visual effects supervisor Glen Pratt (“Paddington 2,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and music supervisor George Drakoulias (“White Noise,” “Marriage Story”), with music by Oscar winners Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt (“A Star Is Born”).
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Heyday Films Production, a LuckyChap Entertainment Production, a NB/GG Pictures Production, a Mattel Production, “Barbie.”
The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and released in theaters only nationwide on July 21, 2023, and beginning internationally on July 19, 2023.
“The Boogeyman” will make grown-ups afraid of the dark again. This is the way horror movies should be made. Based on a short story of the same name by Stephen King, the film’s tight script and pacing is suspenseful when it needs to be, heart-pounding where it wants you, and a touch of heartfelt humor for tension relief before sucking audiences back into the darkness. The film doesn’t waste a minute on pointless characterizations or pop music filler in order to retain its atmospheric mood.
The interaction between wholesome father-daughter relationships and sisterly love appears genuine and authentic enough for audiences to want to see the family dynamic through their ordeal. The monster evolves into a spiritual manifestation of the family’s trauma as it feeds on their fears and insecurities just as any iconic beast should.
“The Boogeyman” showcases the most horrific iteration of the timeless monster that has been conceived. The premise is simple enough to follow what most remember about the basics of a monster lurking in dark and enclosed spaces. Yet the nerve-wracking cinematography and engaging characters bring new light to a familiar fright. The sound design will leave the audience thinking twice hearing the voices of unseen loved ones. Mercifully, the film relies more on the unsettling building of tension rather than shocking gore and redundant jump scares.
Horrifically satisfying. Finally, a horror movie that’s worth a trip to see in theaters. As much as you want to leave in fear, you have succumbed to staying in your seat to see what happens next. Another fine addition to the category of elevated horror.
The 20th Century Studios film has been given a theatrical release after initially being intended for streaming on Hulu. The darkened movie theater-going experience has certainly elevated the grateful potential of “The Boogeyman”. Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair play sisters in their respective roles with uncanny professionalism. Incidentally, both played major roles in the Star Wars universe on the Disney+ streaming service.
It was a delight to see them both on the big screen acting opposite of each other. The horror movie also stars Chris Messina as their desperate father. Marvel and DC cinema fans will also recognize David Dastmalchian in a significant and memorable role.
“The Boogeyman” opens in theaters on June 2, 2023. Directed by Rob Savage. Rated PG-13 for terror, violent content, teen drug use, and some strong language.
Early pre-production on “The Little Mermaid” began in Los Angeles in 2019. During this time, storyboard artists worked closely with Marshall, producer John DeLuca and production designer John Myhre on visuals for the designs of the CG animated characters and the look of the sets. Because a significant portion of the film, specifically everything that takes place underwater, would be created digitally by visual effects supervisor Tim Burke in post-production, it was crucial that these shots were worked out in advance.
Executive producer Jeffrey Silver explains, “We started by doing pre-vis animation that calculated and designed and created the entire way that the scenes would play out, and then we looked at every shot to decide how it could best be accomplished.”
From day one, Marshall stressed the importance of the reality of the land and the fantasy of the sea. He wanted to ensure everything on land was rooted in deep reality and looked as realistic and authentic as possible so as to best show the contrast between the two worlds.
In the second part of the press conference, we had the opportunity to hear from the filmmakers and how they put this production together. In attendance were Alan Menken (composer), John DeLuca (Producer), and Rob Marshall (Director/Producer).
Q: During the World Premiere in Hollywood, the audience was losing their minds throughout this film. Like, cheering after every musical number. How are you feeling about that?
Rob Marshall: “Well, it was a dream premiere. I mean, there’s nothing like that. I mean, when you imagine what it will be on a massive screen like that in the Dolby Theater with this gorgeous audience that was just there to actually enjoy every moment of it, and it was a dream come true for all of us. I mean, it was very emotional. It’s taken us four and a half years to create this film. So to have it play like that with, you know, our entire cast was there, which we brought up on stage, which was incredible. They were on stage as well. It was just, I don’t know, it was one of the great moments in our lives.”
John DeLuca: “And I was amazed at how much they listened. ‘Cause, you know, sometimes it premieres, they just go wild and it’s just like, whooping, you know, excited. But I heard it differently last night. And I’ve seen it quite a number of times. I heard every line and every breath. They were really with it. They were really wanting to go on the journey.”
Q: John, didn’t you say that Under the Sea was the most complex thing to shoot in the film?
DeLuca: “Yes. And to conceive and shoot. And just, to have an idea of what we’re gonna do, and then how we were gonna do it. The logistics of that. I remember Rob and I kind of put it aside for a long time.”
Marshall: “I know, it was so daunting. Because there’s one live actor. One live actor in this massive production number.”
Q: It’s the song. And on this one, ’cause Ariel got to sing.
“Yes, that was the best. I mean, you know, we said, “Alan, we really need her to sing,” and he went into the piano and said, “How about this,” and, “How about this,” and –”
Q: Well, your music in this is iconic and legendary, so maybe that’s the intimidating part.
Alan Menken: “I try to filter everything through the music scene as much as possible because they should have somebody they’re really comfortable within the room who’s plunked out the notes for them, and giving them phrasing notes. And then when I give notes, I want to go through them also.”
Q: Alan, so we got new music for this, which I think is fantastic. Where do you decide, like, where do these come about? How do they land in the film?
Menken: “It’s a group process. Rob and John, David Magee, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and I got together. Like first at your apartment, then at my studio. And we went through how the story’s being adapted by David, and how the structure is. And then there are the potential spots?”
“So it’s simply as simple as that. And those decisions are made, first of all, by character, by moment, but also by sequence of a score, and what’s needed at a certain moment. So we chose the moment when Prince Eric, he’s been told, “Don’t go back out there, you can’t,” and he just thinks about this girl. And it’s a love song to her, and it’s a love song to the sea. And to his uncharted waters. So his life is ahead of him. So it ends up being a really important theme throughout the movie.”
Q: That’s who you are. I don’t know if I’d call it unconventional, but they were saying the rehearsal process was so different from what they usually know in films. And I think they were saying it felt like they were making something so small, but it was so big. Like, they were doing theater work, like, stage work, it almost felt like, during the rehearsal process. Is that a signature Rob Marshall move, or is that what you knew you had to do for this film?
Marshall: “I think it’s something I always do. know, obviously, I come from the theater. the theater.”
“So there’s a process that I think you have to do. Musicals are kind of a hybrid in a funny way. Movie musicals are a hybrid of theater and film. Because you have to, you know, you can’t just walk in and start singing. You have to learn. Or the choreography. It’s like all part of it. I mean, I always feel that my job as a director is to protect the actors. Make them feel safe in a space where they can screw up and be terrible, and then get better. And not feel judged. I mean, that to me is the most important part of it. And so, it does feel small. It feels intimate. Because you’re creating. And you know what, the film is very intimate.”
“I mean, of course, it’s massive in some ways, but the scenes are, you know, in a way, it’s a small story. You know, it’s about a father and a daughter. You know, a father learning to let go, and these two kindred spirits learning to change the world and not be afraid of someone that’s different than them. And so it’s this beautiful story. And, you know, I mean, what I never want any actor to feel is sort of the pressure of the film, and pressure of the filmmaking, and the technical portions of it. Because, especially with this movie, we always talk about it, we didn’t want the technical aspects of the film to lead it.”
Working on a film with so many photo-real elements was a first for most of the department heads, but Marshall fully entrusted everyone with the building of these worlds. “Sebastian, Scuttle, and Flounder are played by CG animated characters,” explains Marshall, “but they do not look animated in the traditional animation sense. They are photoreal. These fantastic puppet masters worked with us so they could actually interact with the other actors so we could capture the video references for all their scenes.”
Ariel’s three underwater friends are also transformed for this new live-action adventure. Flounder is a tropical reef fish, based on a Timid Damselfish. Sebastian’s look was born from a Cuban Land Crab with specific gestures borrowed from a White Crab. And Scuttle is now a black and white diving bird known as a Gannet. Marshall says, “This was done specifically so that Ariel would only meet Scuttle underwater because, at the start of our story, Ariel has never dared go above the surface.”
Q: Can you talk about the experience shooting in Sardinia?
DeLuca:: “Oh, Sardinia. Italian and Italian and Italian and Sardinia. But, I mean, the first thing that comes to mind is lobster pasta. We looked at quite a number of islands. But we did scout a lot of places and ended up with this. To me, I love this small beach we found in Sardinia. And thankfully, Rob went along with it. And it just helped not only us in our imaginations and with the tale.”
It was not without its challenges though, and the finale scene called for over 100 extras, half in the water and half on land, which is always a challenge due to creative reasons and safety protocols. The extras portraying members of Merfolk families all came from the U.K. and were diverse in age, ethnicity, gender, body shape, and disabilities.
Locations in Sardinia included Cala Moresca, a fisherman’s wharf and cove on the Northeast coast, where the fishing village and the scenes around the castle dock were filmed. Rena Majore was selected as Ariel’s beach and was where the iconic scenes where she rescues Eric and emerges from the water onto her rock would be filmed. The rock itself was custom-made and transported to Sardinia and placed in the water at this location prior to the cast’s arrival. The carriage-run scenes with Ariel and Eric were filmed on the rugged coast of Rena di Matteu.
Q: “You have a gift with ballads, particularly for female characters. What is your approach to these characters and their emotions that inspires you to create these iconic songs?”
Menken: “You write for the moment. You write for the concept of how you’re telling a story. What is the tone of the story? What is the exact moment?”
“You set up the DNA. I have a palette of musical colors, like, you’re painting them. And then, you start to shape those colors. For instance, “A Part of Your World.” Okay, you could say that’s Ariel’s colors, but also, that figure was simply the water flowing. I was just started with. It’s just that sense of motion, and it all grows out of that.”
“And then, you know, part of it comes from also experience, of just doing it a lot for many years. You let go, and you just sort of pour into that shape that you’ve created. Oh, very important. You create [laugh] a mold, a shape. Where does the song start? Where does the song end? How does the character progress dramaturgically throughout the song? Are we gonna open it for dialogue? Everything that’s happening, the world we’re in, the palette we’ve decided to use, and then, you just go into that mold.”
“‘The Little Mermaid’ is very much a love story in many ways,” says director/producer Rob Marshall. “It is about finding your soulmate, finding someone who you connect with. And that’s what Ariel and Eric ultimately find in this film. Together they begin to break down the walls and barriers between two disparate worlds and strive to eliminate the unfounded prejudice that has always existed.”
Marshall adds, “The way we survived was as a team. We all knew we were working on something very special — an iconic story that has touched millions around the world. Like Ariel herself we all felt a drive to discover something new, something rare, something we had only imagined. It was that leap of faith we all took that not only brought us together but brought us this miracle of a film.”
“The Little Mermaid” arrives in theaters on May 26, 2023. Click here to purchase tickets.
“The Little Mermaid” is Disney’s live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar-winning animated musical classic. Inspired by the Timeless Tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, it is the quintessential story of an outsider, and a story that speaks to everyone.
Ambitious in scale, but grounded in reality, the big-screen musical features a brilliantly talented all-star cast, including Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Noma Dumezweni as The Queen, Art Malik as Sir Grimsby, with Javier Bardem as King Triton and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
Set in the 1830s in and around the waters of a fictious island in the Caribbean, Ariel is a spirited 18-year-old mermaid with a beautiful voice and a thirst for adventure. She is the youngest child of King Triton, who rules the oceans from his underwater kingdom and is the most defiant of his daughters of the Seven Seas. Frustrated with the confines of her life, Ariel is fascinated with the world above the surface, but it is a world inhabited by humans, with whom Triton has forbidden all merfolk from interacting.
Ariel makes a deal with the evil Ursula, a sea witch feared by all merfolk. Ariel chooses to give up her mermaid gifts, including her siren song, in exchange for legs and a chance to experience the human world.
During a recent press conference, we had the opportunity to hear from Talent on what it was like to be part of this live-action film.
Twenty-three-year-old Halle Bailey, one-half of the GRAMMY-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle was cast as Ariel, the strong-willed mermaid from under the sea. Casting a young woman of color in such an iconic role was a no-brainer for Marshall. “Our goal was to find someone who was incredibly passionate, smart, vulnerable, clever, with a great deal of fire and joy,” he says. “When I first saw Halle, she was so young and sort of otherworldly, and the voice was simply angelic. Plus, she had such a deep connection to what she was singing about.” Marshall continues, “We were just looking for the best actor for the role, period. We saw everybody and every ethnicity. There really was no agenda. As a director, your hope is that an actor comes in and claims the role and says, ‘this is mine,’ and that’s exactly what happened with Halle.”
Q: Ariel is the Disney princess, and now you have been bestowed that. Do you feel like you have kind of a kinship with her just any way? Do you feel like you and Ariel have things in common?
Halle Bailey: “Absolutely. I mean, I tell people all the time I feel like Ariel truly has helped me find myself and like this young woman version of me, you know, because I, well, it’s been five years of my life now.”
“From 18 to now being 23, so those are like very intense like transformative years as you’re developing as a young woman. But I feel like especially these themes of the film and what she had to go through with her passions and drive and speaking up for herself, and even though it may be scary, she went for it. I feel like those things I really try to adopt and give to Halle now. So, she’s taught me so much, for sure.”
King Triton is played by Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”). “I was especially drawn to the relationship he has with his daughter,” says Bardem, “because even though he loves her very much, it’s not always in the best ways. He needs to grow up and face what he fears the most, which is his daughter’s freedom, her independence, and that conflict was very interesting to me.”
Q: King Triton has to be a helicopter parent, and you were like he’s the ultimate helicopter parent. Don’t go five feet away from me. But like what about the relationship that you all just, you know, developed with each other? Did you have a little bit of a paternal feeling over here?
Javier Bardem: “Oh, yes. Right in the moment I met her, I just fell for her. I mean, she has this thing where you just can’t help yourself but love her unconditionally.”
“So, that was done on the first day. So, the rest will be just having fun with it and enjoying the process and I feel it was easy for us just to connect and [dance?] together. And I was always mesmerized by the quality of her as a performer, let alone the singing that I knew. But as an actress, how willing and courageous she is. And in going to the places that she had to go to. And that was amazing.”
Scuttle, voiced by Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Crazy Rich Asians”), is a neurotic, dim-witted seabird who thinks of herself as an expert on all things human, and upon whom Ariel relies as a source of information. While clueless most of the time, she is a loyal friend to Ariel.
Q: Awkwafina, what does like seeing this cast, the diversity of it, just the naturalness of it, and what it means to audiences? What do you think about that?
Awkwafina: “I mean, I think that as you said, I think it reflects the world we live in. And I think that everyone deserves to see themselves on screen.”
Q: Do you feel a kinship with Scuttle?
Awkwafina: “Yes, I do feel a kinship with Scuttle. I mean, like I am Scuttle. Like after like two margaritas, you know what I mean, on a Tuesday. I mean, we have that we’re neurotic, things like that. Yeah. Yeah, I am Scuttle.”
Jacob Tremblay (“Luca,” “Good Boys”) is the voice of Flounder, a timid fish and Ariel’s best friend. Flounder is boyishly charming but is still somewhat childish and a little skittish.
Q: Were you familiar with Flounder or did you go back and like watch the film multiple times?
Jacob Tremblay: “Yeah, no, I don’t remember not knowing about the movie and not knowing the characters. So, it was cool ’cause obviously is still a big part of my childhood and I love the film.”
” I did definitely watch it quite a few times before going to film because I did wanna make sure that you know when people watch the film, they felt like it was Flounder because obviously there’s a lot of things that I had to embody like his, I guess, like his anxiety and his anxiousness. But at the same time, I wanted to make sure I made him my own, and I think that’s when like having everyone there really came in just being able to riff off each other.”
Prince Eric is played by Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”). “Eric is kind and compassionate and adventurous and spirited,” says the actor. “But when we first meet him, he’s actually quite lost. I don’t think he knows who he is, and there is a kind of churning, restless spirit in him. That is why he’s so drawn to the sea; because he is drawn to the unknown and what’s out there and not just what’s in front of him.”
Q: Now, Jonah, we know being a Disney princess is a big deal, but being a Disney prince is nothing to sneeze at either. Are we ready for this?
Jonah Hauer-King: “I don’t know if I’m ready for it, to be honest, but it was, yeah.”
“But yeah, it’s a great privilege. It’s a huge honor, but I think what’s special about this is it’s all, I don’t know, the whole story, the whole film feels very grounded in reality. So, the Disney prince and the Disney princess aspect is amazing and it’s fun and exciting, but I think watching it last night made me realize that for all of us, even though we’re living in this fantasy space, it just feels really connected to the world and to the real world.”
“And the themes feel connected to the real world now. So, yeah, but who knows? I mean, being a Disney prince is weird, isn’t it? It’s kind of weird.”
Two-time Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Bridesmaids,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”) is Ursula, the cruel and vindictive sea witch, half-woman/half-octopus, who has been banished by King Triton for her misdeeds. As the sister of Triton, she plots her revenge and dreams of one day ruling the sea herself.
Q: What was the best part of filming, and then what was the most challenging thing for you for this film?
Melissa McCarthy: “It was the rehearsal, it was the crazy 60-foot clam shell. It was trying so desperately not to cry every time you sang a melody because I was like, I don’t want her to think I’m crazy, as, like, tears are running down my face.”
“The whole process. Rob Marshall, I think we all agree, sets up this world that is like, it is like why I fell in love with plays. It feels so small and yet you know it’s this enormous thing, but it just feels like if we all do our best, like, maybe we can make a show.”
“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Rob Marshall with a screenplay by David Magee. The songs feature music from Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, with new lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film is produced by Marc Platt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John DeLuca, and Rob Marshall, with Jeffrey Silver serving as executive producer.
American Born Chinese is the Disney+ answer to Netflix’s Stranger Things. A teenage ensemble cast backed with storytelling that involves their parental figures that develop a story with strong character development for viewers of all ages. A coming of age story that brings fantasy elements into the ordinary parts of our characters’ lives, to make for a story worth following.
American Born Chinese based on the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang is a story worth telling in a series format, to develop its characters betterand make for compelling storytelling all while giving us martial arts-fueled action. The martial arts action depicted in the show shares the same sensibility as its graphic novel counterpart in propelling the story forward while making for heroic action.
This show is a true and tried story of a hero’s journey. This style of storytelling on the big screen has been cemented in our minds by way of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy with Frodo and The Original Star Wars Trilogy with Luke Skywalker, which is told here by way of the series lead Jin Wang played by Ben Wang, through his unlikelyjourney as a guide to the series ultimatejourney.
Like any hero’s journey, there is a reluctant hero found in Jin, the series begins with his seemingly ordinary beginning of the school year rituals, which are theninterrupted by the placement of a new student in his school and one who begins to upset Jin’s social life in a humorous fashion. The two go from forced acquaintances to friends that are on a journey toward something bigger than themselves.
Jin’s friend and storied companion is Wei-Chen played by Jim Liu. It is Wei-Chen’s character that opens the show and then his story opens each episode to lay the basis for the episode being told ahead. This opens up each episode in the style of traditional Chinese cinema and against the backdrop of traditional Chinese mythology. His character is developed from traditional Chinese stories that are literally dropped into our central hero’s boring life turned exciting journey.
Wei-Chen’s motivations are the Mcguffin of the show and what upsets the main character’s life to make a choice. That starts after the first true fantasy action element is showcased in our real world when the truth is told by his companion, “It’s real I’m not from this world and I need your help”. The choice he is left with is to be different from what he thinks and from what he is expected to be as an ordinary kid, but to be more to be a hero that literally gets to stand alongside his cultural “superheroes”.
If the series is an answer to other shows, then this is different as it highlights the heroism and hopes with a grounded story that hopes to reach a wider family audience with more culturally celebrated fantasy. Any difficulty that may come from the show is the use and respect towards its source material, that of the graphic novel, and the use of weaving of traditional Chinese cinema by having the fantasy as well as real-world elements told in fashion on top of being told in mostly the Chinese language.
This is done it would seem for the audience to embrace Chinese culture storytelling in this very serialized American show and executed masterfully by the show’s creative team which includes Destin Daniel Cretton who has brought another popular Chinese character and sensibilities to general audiences in Marvel Studios “Shang–Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”.
The direction brought to the show by Cretton really amplifies the fantasy elements of the show while also grounding the human elements that we can all relate to. Most audiences won’t care about the heart and soul behind any big action set pieces across projects if the reason why it is happening is not first explored. The imaginative storytelling only works in the show because the rest of the story is grounded and the human characters introduced can be found sympathetic by any member of the family watching at home, whether that viewer is the parent or a child.
The show does not shy away from the experience of a Chinese American in the modern age but rather drives the show forward in this aspect of the main characters’ lives. In doing so this show is a beautiful telling of one Chinese American’s family yearning to understand and fit into their American life. The show does this wonderfully while being disguised as a coming-age fantasy adventure. Whether this storytelling is portrayed in the workforce for the main character’s parent or the main character himself being an awkward high school, both are told in heartfelt ways, that we can all relate to.
The instances of the Asian American experience are touched upon within each episode, where different cultural experiences are highlighted. The family participates in different examples of Asian American traditions throughout the series. Some examples of this are the support of local Chinese businesses, to eating traditional foods at home, and even the community involvement of the local Chinese church. These elements are grounded so when the fantasy sequences come to full display, the viewer may be complied to believe that it is possible that they too could experience the unexpected in their everyday lives.
Filling out the cast who make up the heart and larger message of the show are several mainstays from the Asian American community in Hollywood. Beginning with the always dependable Chin Han who plays Jin’s dad Mr. Wang. Mr Wang’s character arc makes for a compelling story that although ordinary is relatable to anyone in the workforce as well as anyone who is a husband and a father. His story as an immigrant husband and a father shows why this character actor is dependable in the projects he appears in time and time again. Rounding out the cast and who play the fantasy characters in the series are Daniel Wu and Michelle Yeoh who are the legends from mythology come to life who must contend with how this hero’s journey will affect our very real world.
Michelle Yeoh plays the Obi-Wan Kenobi to Jin Wang’s Luke Skywalker, both in their stories can help the hero on his journey but cannot take it for him. Rounding out the cast is Key Huy Quan as Freddy Wong whose character is an upsetting reminder of what society at some point perhaps expects Asian Americans to be rather than what Asian Americans truly are. All give satisfying performances in this already satisfying series.
At times this show is a slow burn like any streaming series in its category. But it pays off with strong character-driven moments in what makes a case for a compelling performance. Any good story reminds us of how we live and what we can do better to change it, this displays that here for a whole new audience while also reminding their elders to come along for the journey. Everyone can enjoy this hero’s journey, especially when that hero is one who it would seem enjoys magna, the MCU, and elements of the DC universe and loves superhero storytelling just like me and you. Get ready to meet a new hero in American Born Chinese.
Beginning on September 28, 2023, Guests staying at this exciting new Disney Vacation Club property will have the opportunity to bask in the California sun in the brand-new Palette Pool area, an inviting oasis designed for relaxation and play.
Mickey Mouse captured the heart of audiences everywhere with his nautical shenanigans in the iconic Walt Disney Animation Studios short, “Steamboat Willie.” Soon you will be invited to join his zany steamboat journey in a brand new splash pad at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel dedicated to the endearing creativity and adventurous spirit of everyone’s favorite deckhand!
The new refreshing retreat includes the Palette Pool, Palm Breeze Bar, and a whimsical splash pad incorporating elements from “Steamboat Willie.”
As you can see in the brand-new animation below, a large grayscale model inspired by the boat in “Steamboat Willie” will be helmed by none other than Mickey Mouse as it springs to life with imaginative water play features. From the boat’s cascading waterfall, misty fog effects rising from the boat’s funnels, and a variety of pop jets and fountains, little ones are sure to have a splashtastic time!
Guests will be able to soak up more inspiration by taking a dip in the crystal-clear, palette-shaped swimming pool or by recharging in the rainbow glow of multicolored lounge areas in this mid-century modern hangout.
Guests can also enjoy refreshing drinks and snacks at Palm Breeze Bar. This delightful outdoor venue will feature modern decor inspired by the imaginative artistry of Disney Legend, Mary Blair. You may recognize Mary Blair’s quirky designs from the timeless attraction, it’s a small world, or the fanciful murals in the Grand Canyon Concourse at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort Hotel. However, her unique styling and bold use of color influenced the artistry of so many Disney Animation films, including some featured in the rooms at the Villas at the Disneyland Hotel!
And the Disney magic continues long after the sun sets on the Palette Pool. Families can watch their technicolor dreams come true as the Steamboat Willie splash pad transforms from black and white to vivid colors with the help of some artistic lighting.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will be the fourth tower at the award-winning Disneyland Hotel, offering more than 340 rooms and welcoming guests to a variety of villa-style themed accommodations featuring just-like-home amenities. Each room will showcase modern décor inspired by Disney Animation classics such as “The Jungle Book,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Fantasia” and more.
Guests can see artifacts and relics from the Indiana Jones archives and snap a picture at a themed photo op.
The fan event screenings will take place at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 29, and 8:15 pm on Friday, June 30, each with their own exclusive items included with a ticket. The Thursday Fan Event is $50 and the Friday Fan Event is $60.
Attendees at the Thursday Fan Event will receive one assorted Funko POP!, one exclusive mini poster, collectible tin with popcorn, a beverage, an event credential, and a lanyard with their ticket.
Attendees at the Friday Fan Event will receive one mug with a fedora lid, one canvas tote, one exclusive mini poster, popcorn, beverage, and event credential and lanyard with their ticket.
Daily showtimes for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” from June 29 through July 4 are 9:00 am, 12:45 pm, 4:00 pm, 8:15 pm, and 12:00 am. July 5 through July 24 are 12:45 pm, 4:00 pm, 8:15 pm, and 12:00 am.
Sensory Inclusive Screenings are available July 15 at 12:45 pm and July 19 at 8:15 pm. Open Caption screenings are available July 12 at 8:15 pm and July 16 at 12:45 pm. Spanish Dubbed screenings are available July 9 at 12:45 pm and July 18 at 8:15 pm.
LEGO and Bandai Namco are celebrating the 43rd anniversary of PAC-MAN with the reveal of the new vintage LEGO ICONS PAC-MAN Arcade set – one of the most famous and nostalgic arcade games ever.
Originally released on May 22, 1980, by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (previously Namco) in Japan, the PAC-MAN video game became a cultural icon. After 40 years of being a part of pop culture worldwide through games, TV shows, music, and more, the LEGO Group has collaborated with Bandai Namco to bring the 80s classic back in brick form. This collaboration led to the unique discovery that PAC-MAN’s famous yellow color was inspired by the LEGO Group’s signature color.
The new LEGO set design shows an arcade version of PAC-MAN and allows you to recreate some of the legendary ghost-munching moves of the game. In addition, builders can create large colorful brick versions of PAC-MAN, BLINKY, and CLYDE that rotate on a base and can be displayed on top of the cabinet or separately.
Once complete – you can light up the coin slot, plus there is a small vignette of a female minifigure playing PAC-MAN on an arcade, hidden inside of the cabinet.
PAC-MAN FUN FACTS:
On May 22nd, 1980, the first focus test was held for PAC-MAN, where members of the public got to see the yellow character for the first time.
PAC-MAN is yellow, as designer Mr. Iwatani was inspired by the iconic yellow of the LEGO brick.
The character shape is based on a pizza with a slice missing.
The game was released in Japan on June 29, 1980 – before being made available in the rest of the world.
A PAC-MAN cartoon hit appeared on TV screens in the 80s.
Buckner & Garcia released the hit single “PAC-MAN Fever”, which went as high as 9th place on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in March 1982.
In 1993, Billy Mitchell of Florida became the first person to ever achieve the game’s perfect score of 3,333,360 points. In order to achieve a perfect score, the player would have to clear all 256 stages without a single miss, and consume all PAC-DOTs, fruits, and ghosts (consume 4 ghosts with each POWER PELLET).
In recognition of the Pac-Man 1980 release, where it installed 293,822 arcade units within 7 years, the Guinness World Records acknowledged the game as the “Most Successful Coin-Operated Game” in the world.
Describing the process of designing the new set, Sven Franic, LEGO Designer comments: “A cultural icon for the past 40 years, it was a delight to bring PAC-MAN to brick life. We are always looking for new and exciting ways to bring classic gaming experiences to life. Our team of talented designers worked tirelessly to capture the essence of the beloved PAC-MAN arcade machine in brick form, from PAC-MAN himself to the colorful, maze-like environment he inhabits. Every detail was carefully considered and crafted, resulting in a one-of-a-kind LEGO creation that captures the magic of the original game while adding a playful new twist and a couple of Easter eggs – in true video game style. We are thrilled to share this incredible build with the world and cannot wait to see the joy it brings to fans of all ages.”
Adding on the collaboration, Aadil Tayouga, Director of Licensing and Business Strategy at Bandai Namco Europe says: “Bandai Namco and the LEGO group share a lot of common values, notably aiming at providing fun for all people through quality products. In addition to these values, since PAC-MAN yellow was actually inspired by the LEGO Group yellow, it made the connection even more natural. It has been a tremendous collaboration with the passionate teams at the LEGO Group and we hope that fans will enjoy this kit.”
LEGO VIP members will have early access to purchase the LEGO PAC-MAN Arcade set from 1st June 2023 from LEGO.com/PAC-MAN and LEGO Stores, or available to all from 4th June 2023 at the recommended retail price of $269.99 / €269.99 / £229.99.
The LA County Fair is back in full swing, with a little more than half of the fair to go we wanted to let you know one of the Fair’s best-kept secrets! The $7.70 Value menu is here and it’s fair-wide! The value menu this year includes over a hundred different food vendors to choose from. With this many options, we opted to share a few of our favorites that are not only savory but give you a bang for your buck.
We decided to start with something simple and we think almost everyone can enjoy a hamburger meal deal! We found this deal at TASTI BURGER, we had a Small Regular Burger, Smalls Fries & 16oz Drink for you guessed it 7.70! It was a filling burger, the traditional size of burger you might find at your local diner, and with a drink and fry to pair, it was a good meal to start off our 7.70 meal deal journey.
We asked for a Coke, but there were plenty of soda options to choose. This deal is located in the area which is known as Downtown Fairplex, right outside Building four. You’ll see the sign for TASTI BURGER, you can’t miss it outside building four if you want to try this great deal.
Our next stop took us to “Piggly’s Seafood” located at “The Hill” area of the fairground. We found our favorite deal yet. For those who love Mexican seafood, this is a sure-fire hit. The offer we found at “Piggly’s Seafood” was a plate of fries, a 16oz drink, served with a large fish taco. The fish taco was indeed a fair-sized version of a traditional fish taco with all the fixings and dressing on top of juicy fried fish on a large corn tortilla. Like our first $7.70 deal this was a deal sure to be a filling meal for only 7.70.
Another reason you should visit this deal at Piggly’s is because of the self-serve drink option, most vendors at the fair will serve your drink for you, but not here at this booth, they invite you to serve your own drink. There are not just traditional soda options to choose from, the booth also offers lemonade both regular and pink lemonade at no additional cost, something that other booths typically up-charge for.
What is fair food without fried food and barbecue, that is what we were looking for next on our journey through the $7.70 menu. We found a good barbecue deal from one of the best spots for barbecue at the fair at BUBBA’S BBQ. At Bubba’s, we found a deal for pulled pork. This included a Pulled Pork Slider, Chips & 16oz Drink. If you are looking for a taste of what Bubba’s has to offer this year at the fair, this is a deal to try.
The savory pork slider with sweet bbq sauce served on the side made for a tasty meal for someone who was on the lookout for a “taste of the fair”. This can be found right across from the Grandstand with a big neon sign you can’t miss BUBBA’S BBQ.
As we moved on to fried food we discovered that one of the most infamous foods that has come out of the fair was alive and well amongst the $7.70 deals. The infamous Deep Fried Twinkie we found at FRIED A FAIR. The booth has plenty of fried foods to try but we were focused on trying the deal that paired the Deep Fried Twinkie & 16oz Drink.
The Deep Fried Twinkie is just that a Twinkie, if you want bragging rights in future conversations that you went to the fair and tried one of those fried foods, this is just the way to do it. This sweet treat paired with a 16oz drink is perfect to wash down all that fried goodness. We had to walk to the “Fun Zone” area of the fairgrounds to enjoy this offer, we found it closest to the Yellow Gate entrance.
Our last stop and our favorite deal on the $7.70 list was at the DOLE WHIP booth. We had a Dole Whip Cup, you can choose from four flavors and we choose the traditional pineapple flavor. No treat reminds us more of The Happiest Place on Earth than a Dole Whip, and with a cup that can best be enjoyed by two, it’s no wonder that this was our favorite deal.
The other four flavors you can choose from; Strawberry, Pineapple, Lemon, and Mango. You can try all four as they fall under the same deal. Our second favorite was the Lemon. A nice refreshing treat after all the food we had eaten at the fair.
You may be thinking simply going to the fair can be an expensive experience even with the value menu, but not if you’re aware of the ways you can save on your return! Entry or reentry at the fair can be a deal when you buy the Passport To Savings booklet. This is a coupon book full of more than 100 great savings offers.
This little green book includes over $1,000 in savings inside the Fair on food, games, rides, and products, AND a FREE return ticket to the Fair (valued at $20)! We bought one and are surely going to use it to return to the fair to enjoy more of the fair and all the deals it has to offer.
The LA County Fair runs NOW thru Labor Day Monday, May 29th. Hours are 11 am thru 11 pm. The LA County Fair is located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona, CA 91768.
Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel will take the wraps off a multi-million-dollar renovation this fall with a new name and refined look that pays homage to the park’s founders, Walter and Cordelia Knott. The new Knott’s Hotel promises to deliver an entirely new expression of the ingenuity and hospitality for which the Knott family has always been known.
Perfectly situated just steps away from California’s original theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, and just minutes from other Orange County destination attractions, the new Knott’s Hotel will offer an elevated getaway for both business and leisure travelers alike. The redesigned 322 guest rooms will present a stylish, country guest house feel, reflecting the founders’ charm and laid-back warmth. Each room will have undergone a thoughtfully designed transformation with hand-crafted accents and details that embody an upscale farmhouse style. The renovation will include updated family-sized rooms with ample space for up to six guests and additional amenities such as a kitchenette.
“The renovation is a transformative endeavor for our property and reflects our commitment to offering the current spaces, amenities, and services that locals, visitors, and guests are looking for,” said Don Prescott, the hotel’s general manager. “Our goal is to create a truly immersive, eclectic environment that makes guests feel at home while showcasing the uniqueness that can only be found at Knott’s.”
When it debuts this fall, Knott’s Hotel will emerge as one of Orange County’s premier locations for corporate meetings, special events, and weddings. With new enhancements, planners will see a completely transformed programmable meeting space, spread across two floors to more than 20,000 square feet. Each meeting room will be equipped with the latest technology, allowing for seamless integration of computer, video, and audio equipment, wireless high-speed internet access, and a state-of-the-art digital audio/visual system. The highlight of the reimagined space can be found in the ninth-floor ballrooms, which will feature unmatched skyline and park views.
The hotel also will debut a new craftsman-designed outdoor courtyard with a rustic timber-frame structure, suggestive of Walt’s sense of beauty in reclaimed wood, adobe brickwork, and Mexican artisan tile, many of which influenced Southern California and the park’s themed areas. Cordelia’s touch will be seen in the beautification of the outdoor space, as giant fruitless olive trees and festoon lighting provide an airy atmosphere for evening cocktails and appetizers, private receptions, events, or small gatherings.
Executive Chef Shannon Tracewell oversees the culinary team and carefully sources local ingredients to craft a multitude of delicious catered menu options. From small board meetings to seated dinners for more than 300 guests, the Knott’s Hotel will boast the quintessential event space for the widest array of gatherings.
In addition to newly catered culinary selections, guests will be able to step into a modern version of the farm to experience a brand-new dining concept at Thirty Acres Kitchen and Bar. The name is a nod to the original 30 acres of the Knott’s farm and will feature a double-sided, wrap-around bar that extends into the lobby. The 300-degree bar will serve locally inspired craft cocktails and small plates. The full-service restaurant menu will offer distinct twists on traditional American cuisine, complete with signature seasonal dishes and menu items connected to the park’s season.
The open-concept kitchen will feature Cordelia’s chalkboard of recipes, along with a subway tile mural replica of Paul von Klieben’s painting, a staff artist and a key park employee in the 1940s, depicting life in the early years on Knott’s Berry Farm. The new restaurant concept complements the neighboring Mrs. Knott’s Fried Chicken Restaurant at Knott’s Marketplace, which serves the legendary fried chicken dinner that started it all back in 1934.
Other property enhancements include a reimagined hotel lobby, where guests will be welcomed with warm, rustic textures and decor, including a guest registration wall made of oversized replicas of the farm’s first boysenberry jam jars, filled with fresh flowers and seasonal displays. After a day at the park, business meeting, or seminar, guests can relax and visit in the lobby great room filled with an eclectic mix of comfortable chairs and seating areas while enjoying the ambiance of a custom-designed grand lantern chandelier made of salvaged glass.
The Pantry, proudly brewing Starbucks coffee, offers quick snacks, pastries, and grab-n-go options is a new addition and next door is an expanded, renovated gift shop – Berry Place – offering sundries, wearables, sodas, and snacks. Rounding out the property amenities are a fitness center and spacious outdoor pool featuring a renovated pool deck and kid’s splash area where guests can enjoy the California sunshine.
The Knott’s Hotel is located at 7675 Crescent Ave. Buena Park, California 90620. For more information, call (714) 995-1111 or visit KnottsHotel.com. The property will remain open to guests during renovations.
Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood join the #JurassicJune celebration with special, limited-time experiences to honor the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking film, Jurassic Park. Across both coasts this summer, theme park guests can celebrate one of the greatest cinematic adventures ever created with exclusive merchandise, specialty food and beverage offerings and screenings of the 1993 iconic film.
Here’s how guests can celebrate Jurassic Park at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood:
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando guests can step through the iconic gates of Jurassic Park at Universal Islands of Adventure and explore an immersive land home to exciting experiences inspired by the record-breaking franchise, including “Jurassic Park River Adventure” – where a leisure raft ride turns into a daring eight-story plunge to escape a ferocious T. rex; “Jurassic World VelociCoaster” – Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster; and more.
The Jurassic Park Tribute Store: A store more than 65 million years in the making…Jurassic Park is taking over this summer in the Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida. Opening on May 26, the immersive retail location will invite guests to explore the history of the blockbuster movie as they venture through a series of themed rooms that highlight everything from pre-production elements like storyboards and blueprints to photo ops that recreate memorable scenes from the iconic film. Guests can also shop exclusive 30th-anniversary merchandise including apparel, hats, key chains, plush, collectibles and more.
Jurassic-Themed Menu Items: Guests visiting Thunder Falls at Islands of Adventure can sink their teeth into a new Coconut Cajeta Churro (a caramel-infused churro drizzled with coconut flakes and caramel sauce) and Prehistoric Raptor Wings (chargrilled chicken wings marinated with olive and spices then tossed in a sweet chili sauce and served with cilantro lime rice, black beans, and a plantain chip). Guests can also enjoy an exclusive Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Fanta flavor – the “Wild Refresherrrr” – starting June 1.
• Jurassic Park Film Screenings at Universal Cinemark in CityWalk: Guests can catch screenings of the original Jurassic Park on June 9, 10 and 11 at Universal Cinemark.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood pays homage to the landmark movie with its popular “Jurassic World—The Ride.” The adventure continues the saga of the blockbuster franchise, taking guests into the exhilarating world of dinosaurs that originated in Jurassic Park.
Exclusive Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Merchandise: Universal Studios Hollywood will mark Jurassic Park’s 30th anniversary with an assortment of merchandise from apparel and plush to collectibles and more to celebrate the film. Select items will be available at the UNIVRS and Universal Studios Store on CityWalk and within the theme park at the Universal Studio Store and Jurassic Outfitters, located adjacent to “Jurassic World—The Ride.”
Jurassic-Themed Food and Beverage Offerings: Universal Studios Hollywood will serve up a new selection of Latin American-inspired food and themed anniversary beverages this summer at Jurassic Cafe, located next to “Jurassic World—The Ride.”
The new menu will feature Grilled Veggie and Beef Skewers, Brazilian Cheese Bread, Raptor Hummus, Coconut Flan, Dino Chocolate Tres Leches Cake and a Family Feast (two half chickens and two skewers, hummus, chips, cheese balls, mojo pork and vegetables).
Guests can quench their thirst with Jurassic World-themed Boxed Water, an exclusive Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary “Wild Refresherrrr” Fanta Flavor or an Amber Mojito.
The popular Isla Nu-Bar’s menu will expand to include a new “Jurassic Water” cocktail and dinosaur-themed wines – Pterrior Dactyl Rosé and Blanco-Osaurus. Additionally, cocktails can be served in a new souvenir Volcano Tiki Cup.
Jurassic Park on the Big Screen at Universal Cinema AMC in CityWalk: Moviegoers can catch screenings of the original film at Universal Cinema AMC the weekend of June 9.
The activities at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are just part of a collection of exciting experiences taking place during #JurassicJune and beyond to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park. Fans can look forward to new broadcast, digital and game content, as well as exclusive merchandise across a variety of categories at retailers around the world, a re-release of the film, retail promotions, anniversary celebration events, fan conventions and more to celebrate the awe-inspiring film. Follow #JurassicPark30 for more information about anniversary activities.
The Habit Burger Grill, the California-based restaurant company renowned for its award-winning Charburgers grilled over an open flame, signature sandwiches, fresh salads, and more has announced that they are celebrating National Burger Month by offering a limited-time offer of two Charburgers with cheese, two fries, and two drinks… all for just $20.
“’We wanted to make it even easier for our fans to bring a friend to the Habit so for a limited time we’re offering two Charburgers with cheese meals for just $20. Our award-winning chargrilled burgers are made-to-order with the freshest of ingredients, which speaks to the care and craft that we put into each item,” said Jack Hinchcliffe, Global Chief Marketing Officer, The Habit Burger Grill.
“And we’d love for people to grab this meal and share it with the people they care about—whether on a picnic with a best friend or at home with a significant other. There’s nothing like a good meal to bring people together.”
The $20 offer (tax extra), available now through June 27, can be ordered on The Habit Burger Grill’s digital channels, including the Habit Burger mobile app and habitburger.com, and is also available on participating third-party delivery partners such as DoorDash for $22.
The Habit Burger Grill was named in Thrillist’s list of “Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State!” With its cooked-to-order mantra, The Habit Burger Grill’s open flame sears a distinctive smoky flavor into their famous Charburgers, fresh marinated chicken, sushi-grade ahi tuna, and a tenderloin steak. Guests at The Habit Burger Grill can always count on freshly made, handcrafted quality served with genuine hospitality.
