Disney+ Original movie “Hocus Pocus 2,” reuniting Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, has launched the trailer and first look images.
The live-action, long awaited sequel to the perennial Halloween classic, which brings back the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters for more comedic mayhem, will debut on Disney+ on September 30.
It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. “Hocus Pocus 2” also stars Sam Richardson (“The Tomorrow War”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”), Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”), Whitney Peak (“Gossip Girl”), Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories”), Lilia Buckingham (“Dirt”), Froyan Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), and Tony Hale (“Veep”).
The film is directed by Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin,’” “The Proposal”) and produced by Lynn Harris (“King Richard,” “The Shallows”), with Ralph Winter (“Hocus Pocus,” “X-Men” franchise), David Kirschner (“Hocus Pocus,” “Chucky”) and Adam Shankman (“Disenchanted,” “Hairspray”) serving as executive producers.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego announced July 12, 2022 as the opening date for Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins – the biggest addition to Birch Aquarium at Scripps in 30 years.
Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins follows the world’s smallest penguins on their journey from hatchlings to adults, highlighting the challenges they face in a changing climate while celebrating the features that make Little Blues so unique (and adorable).
Little Blue Penguins are the smallest species of penguin – 10 to 12 inches tall, and weighing just 2 to 3 pounds – and are known for their unique blue color, and their big personalities. Birch Aquarium will be the only aquarium in the Western U.S. to house these gregarious seabirds.
“Many people don’t realize that not all penguins live in the ice and snow. Little Blues are from Australia and New Zealand, where the climate is surprisingly similar to ours,” said Kayla Strate, lead penguin aquarist. “We are so proud to be able to bring this species for the first time to the West Coast.”
The 2,900-square-foot exhibit is named in honor of a $1 million gift from the Beyster Family – who are long-time supporters of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium – and will include an 18,000-gallon pool where guests will observe the penguins socializing, interacting and nest building. The exhibit also includes a small amphitheater for guests to observe birds swimming, and a discovery portal where the aquarium’s youngest guests can get up close to Little Blue Penguins on land and inside their nesting burrows. Upon opening, there will be 15 Little Blue Penguins in the habitat.
“We are so very excited to be adding this amazing new experience to Birch Aquarium at Scripps. The new habitat will allow us to contribute to an international Species Survival Plan and create a fun and engaging guest experience,” said Executive Director, Harry Helling. “Little Blue Penguins will be wonderful ambassadors that can help us to engage our community more deeply and further our mission to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet.”
Little Blue Penguins are native to the coastal dunes and rocky shores of Southern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand and are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) collaborative international program called Species Survival Plans (SSP). Each SSP Program coordinates the individual activities of participating member institutions through a variety of species, research, husbandry, management and educational initiatives.
Though penguins are common in zoos and aquariums, only a handful of AZA institutions have Little Blue Penguins. They are Dallas World Aquarium, the Bronx Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, Louisville Zoo and the Cincinnati Zoo.
Celebrations for the opening of Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins begin June 30 with a preview event for Birch Aquarium donors. There will be a ribbon-cutting on July 12 when the exhibit opens to the public, as well as special events for members, media and other groups. Behind-the-scenes penguin tours will also be available to the public beginning July 26 with special access for Birch Aquarium members beginning July 19.
Birch Aquarium Info:
Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins is included in the cost of general admission to Birch Aquarium which is $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children ages 3-17. Annual memberships are also available. Advanced reservations are required for all guests, including members. Visit aquarium.ucsd.edu for more information or to make a reservation.
Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action/CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.
When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle – a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home.
The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.
Lyle takes a trip through New York in Columbia Pictures LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE. Photo by: Courtesy of Sony Pictures
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
The movie will feature original songs performed by Shawn Mendes and written by the songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul. Joining Pasek and Paul in writing original songs for the film are Ari Afsar, Emily Gardner Xu Hall, Mark Sonnenblick, and Joriah Kwamé. Directed and produced by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, the screenplay is by Will Davies.
Mrs. Primm (Constance Wu) paints a portrait of Lyle in Columbia Pictures LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE. Photo by: Courtesy of Sony Pictures
The film is produced by Hutch Parker and executive produced by Kevin K. Vafi, Dan Wilson, Robert J. Dohrmann, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Tarak Ben Ammar and Andy Mitchell. The Sony Pictures film will release in the US on October 7, 2022.
“Everything starts and ends at Tim Hortons” states the mayor of Gander, a small town in Newfoundland as he arrives at the coffee shop to check in with the townsfolk. It is the morning of September 11th, 2001, and Gander is about to experience the most unexpected 5 days, opening their airport and their hearts to almost 7,000 strangers from all over the world.
Come From Away was imagined and created by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who ventured to Gander, Newfoundland in 2011 to interview and hear stories from locals and returning passengers who had come to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
This Canadian musical is based on these true stories and tells a different perspective of the events that took place on 9/11, because while much of the world was glued to the images of the twin towers on their televisions, places like Gander were all-hands-on-deck, preparing to receive thousands of displaced travelers. 4,000 flights in the air were ordered to land at their nearest airport, 38 of which were coming to Gander. The townspeople were unsure how to prepare to double their town’s population in a matter of hours.
Gathering all their resources and energy, the people of Gander supplied shelter, supplies, transportation and friendly faces for the stranded passengers and their flight crews. The ASPCA helped take care of all the animals in the cargo holds, including two chimpanzees on their way to the Columbus Zoo. The Salvation Army mobilized to make food. They even cancelled hockey so the ice rink could serve as a walk-in refrigerator. In one of the largest acts of goodwill and humanity, the passengers were welcomed, busload after busload, to schools and community centers all over the island.
Many lives were changed forever during this week, as relationships changed or blossomed. On September 15th, 2001 they all left as quickly as they came—back to their normal lives—whatever that meant now. Through collective trauma and circumstance, the people made light of the situation to the best of their abilities and created lasting friendships that resulted in reunions continuing today.
I wore eye makeup to the theater and left without it. I don’t think I’ve cried this much during any show I’ve ever seen. I should add, it was almost all happy tears, because it is truly an amazing story to witness. I am not sure what was the most compelling part of the show, as the story was amazing…but the acting, singing, live music, sets, and lighting were all phenomenal. I have never seen anything like this format, with a lot of characters being played by the same 12 actors changing accents and articles of clothing to become someone entirely different.
It was easy to forget they were just someone else, as every actor was fantastic at bringing emotion and comedy to each individual character. Stand out actors for me were Julie Johnson (Beulah and others), Jenny Ashman (Beverley/Annette and others), and Kevin Carolan (Claude and others). Ashman’s performance of “Me and the Sky” was amazing.
The ensemble performance of “Prayer” was so moving, especially today in a time of so much divisiveness, because it demonstrated how the shared need to pray transcended the culture and religions of the people. “Screech In” was also a delight! With no intermission, “Screech In” is a fun pace change that also showcases both the talents of the on-stage musicians and comedic prowess of the actors.
If I were there, I would probably also kiss the fish! (You’ll see what I mean when you go see the show because you HAVE TO go see this show). “Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere” as my favorite song in the show because the vocals were absolutely beautiful.
The set was insanely simple; trees along the wings with stage lights affixed, and 12 wooden chairs with some tables. The back wall, though immobile, had two hidden doors used for many purposes. Neon bar signs were occasionally lit to bring us into the local pub or Tim Hortons.
The use of the chairs to create everything from air traffic control rooms, buses/planes, community centers, and even scenic overlooks was amazing. One scene simply used lights held by the actors and one shift of their chair’s position to go from being air traffic controllers to pilots responding to their commands. Upon the passengers’ arrival in Gander, the stage began rotating to add even more depth to quick character changes and to represent movement. The simple sets and quick movement maintained the perfect pacing of the show.
I am a sucker for Uilleann Pipes, Mandolins, and a Bodhran, and having all the musicians playing on stage behind the trees was a lovely aspect of the show because it allowed them to come into the scenes to play as appropriate to the story. Kiana June Weber is a fantastic fiddle player and was a joy to see performing in the show. Conductor Cameron Moncur was instrumental in maintaining the perfect pacing of this show along with playing three of the instruments himself.
I didn’t know what to expect seeing Come From Away and boy was I blown away. This might just be the best show I’ve ever seen. As an American seeing this show, it was heartwarming and contemplative.
I felt new gratitude for the people of Newfoundland who went above and beyond during an American crisis to ensure all people we taken care of. I felt for the people who knew people in New York and in the skies that day. As a high schooler in Southern California, I did not have a connection to the attacks on 9/11 that made it truly feel real.
This story is an important one to tell because it’s a positive piece of this horrible situation—proof that humanity transcends the pain and darkness of dark times and finds ways to support each other. I hope to take more people to see Come From Away before it’s gone. If you want your faith in humanity renewed, I hope you take the time to come from away and experience this masterpiece and the amazing cast who bring it together.
15-time All-Star and basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and ABG Entertainment today announced a partnership with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the producers of world-class live events and location-based entertainment experiences including LA’s own Haunted Hayride, for the first-ever SHAQTOBERFEST Halloween event, taking place at the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA this October.
Officially open to the public beginning late September through Halloween, the interactive experience will be the ultimate Halloween destination for family-friendly trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, delicious treats, specialty libations, frightfully fun nighttime haunted trails and exciting live entertainment that encapsulates O’Neal’s playful personality.
“Halloween can’t come soon enough,” said O’Neal. “Thirteenth Floor Entertainment and I have some tricks up our sleeves to make this the most spook-tacular Halloween event ever!”
SHAQTOBERFEST Info
Located alongside one of Los Angeles’ most haunted landmarks, SHAQTOBERFEST will include six thrilling Halloween-themed areas for guests to explore, each featuring Halloween trails, games, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors and more. The experience will be narrated by O’Neal’s instantly recognizable voice.
“We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Shaq and ABG Entertainment for a truly unique Halloween experience coming this fall,” said Chris Strafford, CEO and Founding Partner of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment. “SHAQTOBERFEST will be unlike any other Halloween attraction that we have ever produced, and we couldn’t be more excited to be launching it at one of the area’s most well-known locations and show our fans what we’ve created for them. Not to mention, we’re really excited to be able to produce an event in Long Beach, which has a long running history of hosting amazing Halloween celebrations.”
Each afternoon will provide family fun trick-or-treat offerings and entertainment for children of all ages who are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes. Come nighttime, the energetic lights and music turn on as the witching hour begins, unleashing O’Neal’s ghoulish minions into the haunted trails and midways as the spirits of SHAQTOBERFEST are brought to life.
“We are incredibly excited to launch the first-ever Shaqtoberfest,” said Matt Goldstein, SVP, Entertainment and Special Projects at ABG Entertainment. “Fans of all ages are going to have the time of their lives celebrating Halloween with Shaq.”
For more information and to stay up to date on ticket information, activations and location announcements visit Shaqtoberfest.com
If you love the holidays and can’t wait for the winter months to come, don’t worry, because it’s time for Halfway to the Holidays! Whatever way you celebrate with loved ones, you can get in the spirit early with festive happenings going on at Disney Parks. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled starting June 23 to make sure you don’t miss a second of the fun festivities coming up this week.
One of the best ways to celebrate is the tasty way, and we’ve got a few eats, sips, and novelties for you to get your fix until the winter comes around. From the Peppermint Churro at California Churro over at Downtown Disney District to the Very Merry Minnie Mouse Cupcake at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, both coasts are serving up the dishes to get you feeling in the spirit to celebrate!
Let’s see all the exciting treats making their way to Disney Parks in honor of Halfway to the Holidays.
For a limited time at Downtown Disney District, you’ll find two delicious eats to enjoy for this exciting occasion. First up, we have the Christmas Dinner Corn Dog from Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs. Beginning June 23 through 30, this twist on a classic features a corn dog made with a turkey hot dog, hand-dipped in batter, rolled in panko crumbs, and served with a side of cranberry sauce for dipping. It’s like a holiday feast on the go!
For those with more of a sweet tooth, from June 23 through 30, California Churro has the Peppermint Churro, a churro rolled in crushed peppermint and drizzled with a mint frosting topped with peppermint candy pieces. Few things give you the feeling of the season more than peppermint, and this churro sure does the trick.
At Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll also find some delightful options to choose from. At Gasparilla’s Island Grill, found at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the pastry team has brought back one of their sweet treats. From June 23 through 26, you can get a festive favorite, the Very Merry Minnie Mouse Cupcake. It’s a chocolate cupcake filled with cookies and cream mousse and topped with ganache-dipped buttercream, cookie ears, and a chocolate holiday bow. That sure does sound delicious!
If peppermint is one of your favorite flavors, then you need to take a trip over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where The Mara is also joining in on the fun. This team has whipped up the brand-new Peppermint Bark Cheesecake, a peppermint cheesecake with a chocolate cookie and peppermint crust and whipped vanilla panna cotta. This delicious treat is also available June 23 through 26.
Are you wanting to bring the holidays home with you? If so, there’s a novelty that’s coming to Disney Springs! The Gold Christmas Tree Popcorn Buckets are back for the festivities. If you weren’t able to get your hands on them during the holidays previously, no need to fret because all across Disney Springs at outdoor vending carts, you’ll be able to find these buckets. Not to mention, popcorn is included with the purchase – what a treat! But don’t wait too long because these are only available while supplies last.
Also at Disney Springs, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Companywill be serving up not one, but two special items. From June 23 through 26, you can get the Peppermint Mocha with dark chocolate sauce, peppermint syrup, and whipped cream or the White Chocolate Gingerbread Latte, a delicious combination of white chocolate sauce and gingerbread syrup topped with whipped cream. What could be better than a little touch of the season in your coffee? These delights are also available hot or iced and can have some spirits added for those over 21.
Disney Parks Halfway to Holiday starts June 23!
*this info was reposted from the Disney Parks Blog
Summertime at Disneyland has arrived, and with that hot Southern California weather, there’s a brand new oasis worthy of a visit just a short walk away from the Happiest Place on Earth. Calaca Mamas Cantina is here to serve you with a unique Mexican flair that will make families of all ages hungry for more.
Founded by a dynamic sister duo, Angela and Mariam El Haj, Calaca Mamas brings a one-of-a-kind and magical flair front and center for this delicious new addition to the Disneyland Resort area. This Día de los Muertos themed restaurant is filled with stunning decorative pieces that are true cultural authentics, many of them personally collected by the sisters on their journeys around Latin countries.
One of our favorite pieces can be seen right as you enter. The cantina has their own ofrenda, honoring those special loved ones, creating a personal touch that fits right in with the rich heritage and culture this place represents.
Once you feast your eyes on all these beautiful touches, your hunger is sure to turn towards the incredible menu that features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that are flexible for almost any unique diet. In addition to your classic staple proteins like Carne Asada, Pollo, and Carnitas, guests can also pick special vegan and vegetarian options that include charred cauliflower, mushrooms, and jackfruit Al Pastor, each coming with a special salsa that is paired perfectly to unlock flavor profiles that can please everyone.
This is a gamechanger, especially in a family resort setting where flexibility and dietary restrictions make it challenging to find variety and flavor at a price that is affordable and fits within a travel budget. Calaca Mamas has you covered in more ways than you can count!
This also includes a special kids menu that is interactive, fun, and filled with flair. Kids will get the ability to choose from a variety of options that have special designed taco holders and come in a multitude of styles that include dinosaurs, mythical creatures, and much more!
To go along with that theme, Calaca Mamas also features a complimentary balloon artist that can whip up exciting and imaginative creations sure to surprise and awe children of all ages. The kids aren’t the only ones who get to share in the fun, as adults will be able to unlock a large assortment of special drink and food varieties, many of which are made in house. Whether you want a classic margarita, or a special drink with a unique twist like the Hen Chata, a special house made Horchata slush that comes with a shot of Hennessy, there really is something for every taste, age, or budget.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! With so many specialities, it will be hard to choose between the cantina’s signature churros, served in a table top churro cart complete with sparklers, chocolate, and a special dulce de leche dipping sauce. You can also try the Flan De La Abuela, which is a family recipe passed down from the sisters great grandmother, all made in house to perfection. It’s a for sure item that is sure to get rave reviews for any hardcore flan fan!
If you can’t decide, the cantina also can dish up everything in the Uno De Todo, which features the signature churros, house made flan, tangy margarita pie, delicious fried ice cream, coconut chia pudding, as well as the chef’s chocolate sorpresa, which is a chocolate themed surprise that changes weekly and designed specifically to please the chocoholic in all of us.
Calaca Mamas Cantina info:
You can find Calaca Mamas Cantina at 1550 S. Harbor Blvd, directly across the street from the Harbor Blvd entrance to the Disneyland Resort. The cantina is open 7 days a week. You can check out the full menu and learn more by visiting their official site!
Coming to theaters this week on June 17 from Disney and Pixar is the definitive origin story of Star Command’s most famous Space Ranger, Lightyear.
While Lightyear functions as the prequel to the 1995 Toy Story and the origin story to its comically earnest Buzz Lightyear, it is actually the in-story film that Andy originally saw and loved and from which he got merch.
In 1995, Andy got a toy from his favorite movie… …this is that movie.
— Pixar's Lightyear (@PixarsLightyear) June 14, 2022
In Lightyear, we see a Buzz more serious and grounded than the toy we know as he goes about his mission to bring a crew of more than 1,000 scientists and technicians back to Earth. Some unexpected encounters and crucial misjudgments leave the ship marooned on the hostile planet T’Kani Prime where the crew goes about the process of constructing a makeshift colony while Buzz wallows in the guilt of having failed his mission. Clutching onto the hope of recreating the broken hyperspeed crystal needed to power the ship and get it back on its way home, Buzz finishes a failed test flight to find that, because of speed-induced time dilation, in the minutes it took him to return, four years have passed for everyone else on the planet.
Driven by his need to right his mistake and finish his mission, Buzz makes flight after flight, growing further detached from the rest of his contemporaries as they age and move forward in their lives and he stays stuck in the same place, temporally and emotionally. With his pet robot cat Sox as his only constant companion through the years, Buzz finally seems ready to make a breakthrough with the crystal formulation when a variety of surprise changes and encounters force him to reassess his relationships with time and the people around him.
A virtual press conference with the cast and creatives from Lightyear was held recently, with voice actors Chris Evans “Buzz Lightyear,” Keke Palmer “Izzy Hawthorne,” Dale Soules “Darby Steel,” Taika Waititi “Maurice ‘Mo’ Morrison,” James Brolin “Zurg,” and Peter Sohn “SOX” present for the first half, and Galyn Susman (Producer,) Angus MacLane (Director/Screenwriter,) and Michael Giacchino (Composer) bringing up the second half.
Press Conference highlights:
Palmer on finding connections with Izzy: “Her love for her grandmother Alicia and the legacy that she wants to uphold. She wants to make her family proud and that’s something that I think we all can relate to. The fact that she’s not afraid to pivot–I really admired that about her, and I feel like she displays so many great leadership qualities…she knows how to push her friends forward and she knows how to see something in somebody so they can carry out their duty. She empowers others and I just love the character.”
Soules on Darby’s past: “I think her past is very mysterious and we wanna keep it that way. We do know that she was incarcerated and that while everyone else is voluntary in the Junior Zap Patrol, she isn’t exactly voluntary. She’s there in the hope that she will reduce her parole if she does well.
“So that’s the part you know. The part you don’t know that I found out that I really loved was that I was treated with such respect by Buzz Lightyear, Captain Lightyear, and that really informed the heart of her. Because as gruff and tough…as she looks, she does respond to being treated with respect and he does that and it works like a charm. In a lot of ways, I suppose she is like me: She’s no-nonsense, she’s rough…I think those are the two things I would say. And very loyal to those who do treat her with respect.”
Waititi on commonalities he found with Mo: “Well Mo, I feel, is very similar to how I was in the early days: A little aimless and trying to focus on something…I was interested in a thousand different things and I wanted to do everything all at once, but I never really finished my projects. That was something I learned how to do later on. So it was easy to tap into that because, you know, I feel like I’m someone who works a lot, but also wrestles with this part of me who doesn’t wanna work at all ever again. So, those are the two sides of me that are always in constant conflict. I think we’ve all got that side of ourselves where we’d rather just retire now, but we can’t because we’re contractually obliged to finish all these damn projects.”
Brolin on preparing for Zurg: “Well, they heard my voice and they just wanted to hire me as ’cause it was nasty, you know?
“In reality…I walked in there cold. The night before I got a sheet with some of the dialogue. None of it quite made sense. It was one of five sessions. I thought I’ll knock this out in a half-hour. Four hours later of sweat with each session, with Angus saying, ‘try it like this” and working with me each day, I learned more out of actors’ common sense, whatever we have, about what the character was about. I had to piece it together. I haven’t seen a polished film yet and I’ll see it tomorrow night to see what the hell my character was all about. I have no idea.”
Evans on his prior relationship with Buzz: “I mean, I loved Buzz Lightyear, I loved Toy Story…when Toy Story came out, it kinda kicked the doors down in terms of a new approach to the medium. So I was thrilled and excited to know that there was more to come, and so to that extent, I loved all the characters in Toy Story deeply.”
Evans on what other Disney characters he would like to portray: “If there were another character to play…I don’t think I could pull it off, but I was always a really big fan of Robin Hood, the old animated Disney movie Robin Hood. I just thought Robin Hood was so cool, you know? I think of all the animated characters in the Disney library, Robin Hood stands alone. I think he’s just smooth and charming and capable and, you know, I don’t have that cool British accent, but I’d love to give it a crack.”
ROBIN HOOD
Evans on which of his catchphrases is his favorite: “Oh, man. That’s impossible, you know, ’cause obviously ‘To Infinity and Beyond‘ is something I knew well before ‘Avengers Assemble.’ It was dear to me in much earlier chapters of my life.
“But, you know, as proud as I am to play this role and as honored as I am to be a part of this universe now, that line belongs to someone else. It almost kinda felt like I was wearing someone else’s clothes or something, you know? So you do your best to honor it and put your own spin on it, but let’s be honest, that’s Tim Allen’s line. So personally, at least ‘Avengers Assemble,’ I was the first one in the pool for that one.”
Lightyear Producer Galyn Susman and Director Angus MacLane talk before a review on March 7, 2022 on Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)
MacLane on coming up with the idea for Lightyear: “Well, the idea came to me as I’ve always wanted to tell or know about the backstory of the Space Rangers and Star Command and Buzz Lightyear, what the movie is from that. I also wanted to make something that was fun to make after doing Dory, which was fun, but it was really
challenging when you have a protagonist that’s always forgetting about what they want. So what I decided to do was just think, well, wait a minute, why don’t we just make that movie like a cool sci-fi movie? And I pitched it just like that: ‘What was the movie that Andy saw that made them want a Buzz Lightyear figure? Why don’t we just make
that movie, just make something awesome and simple like that, with all of the nerdy, geeky, sci-fi goodness that we want to see in the movie?’ That was really the initial pitch. From there, that was the simple idea that we sold within the studio.”
MacLane on IMAX: “Yeah, the origin of it was, I knew that this film needed to be a theatrical experience and as part of the theatrical experience…animation oftentimes is seen as like a kid’s table, like less than. IMAX is a format that celebrates the cinematic experience. By doing a film in IMAX, you’re kind of signifying this is a movie that’s big, and by doing it from the beginning in IMAX, you’re really saying this is something we believe in, the company believes in, IMAX believes in to give you a premium format experience. So once I had that idea, I pitched it to the president of Pixar, Jim Morrison, and he was like, ‘yeah, absolutely.’ Like, he totally got the value of investing and making this, from the beginning, an IMAX film.”
MacLane on SOX: “I always imagined, what’s the short film of him waiting for Buzz to come home? It’s just him, like, checking his watch. Well, Sox was named by Matt Aldrich, who was the first writer on the film who left the project amicably to work on his own stuff. But…it was something he and I developed early on as an antithesis to all the things going on in the film. He was very low-tech. He was very clunky. Where Buzz was going to look very sleek and was going to move very believably, this would be like a cat that was fooling no one. Like it looks like a cat, but the limited robotic movement…as an animator, you think about Ken in Toy Story 3 or you think about Wall-E in Wall-E. These are characters that don’t move that much, but every time they move, there’s an appeal to them. There’s a clarity and a simplicity. There’s no place in motion to hide. So Sox represents because this is a movie kind of made in the ’80s of the kind of clunky animatronic fascination that was sweeping the nation then, when it was like, we’ll have anthropomorphized animals that are completely clunky.
“You know, Disneyland had a lot of these, and I realized it was never clear to me if they thought kids were supposed to think they were alive? But they have their own kind of goofy charm for their limitation and that’s what Sox was–a completely limited cat-flocked character, that was good-natured and was always there for Buzz.
Susman on Alisha Hawthorne and her wife: “Yeah, it was very important. That whole relationship is about showing Buzz, what he doesn’t have. We really just wanted to show a loving, meaningful relationship and having a kiss as part of that. And we were really, really happy that we could do that.
MacLane: “Yeah, certainly a representation was something we were excited about, but more than anything, it’s a reflection of the reality of the world that we live in. We feel like science fiction was always my entree into a more diverse society, starting with Star Trek which, at the time, was very diverse for a show of its era.
“So it’s in that spirit that we take from Star Trek of trying to find the most diversity we can in our cast.”
Giacchino on the takeaway message: “I think for me, this film…I mean, someone in a previous interview asked me who my favorite character was and I think, Izzy in a way because I just love this idea of embracing your fear and using it as a tool to move forward and progress yourself, and not to let it paralyze you, not to let it take over. ‘Cause, you know, in this world, it’s easy to do that.
“I think a big message that the movie pushes out into the universe is to embrace your fear and use it as an ally, to push you forward. I think, for me, musically, you know, emotionally, that’s really what I wanted to say, was this idea of, yeah, there are scary things around us every day, but you can push through them, and you can use that fear, to help you overcome it and learn something and then move beyond. Fear is something that’s never going to be absent from your life, and the sooner you sort of take it in and use it to your advantage, the better off you’ll be.
“And that’s one of my favorite things about the movie.”
The Walt Disney Archives returns to D23 Expo presented by Visa with an all-new exhibit, Walt Disney Archives presents Step in Time, a celebration of the nearly 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company. As part of the kick-off to Disney100, this chronological exhibition showcases Walt Disney Archives historical assets like never before with immersive, themed environments from animated shorts, films, and film premieres, as well as television productions and Disney Parks favorites, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Poppins, Tron, and Walt Disney World Resort’s Haunted Mansion.
The exhibition will provide fans an opportunity to experience some of the most iconic Disney moments over the course of September 9, 10, and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the Expo hosted by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
A timeline in the center of the exhibit will showcase the breadth of extraordinary Disney events over the past century and will act as a guide for visitors as they journey through the 12,000-square-foot experience. Guests will have the chance to literally “Step in Time,” into various immersive areas around the perimeter of the space, showcasing rare historical objects as never before, in recreations of the settings from which they originated.
The gallery space will be divided into nine highly themed areas, providing fans the opportunity to capture photos and become part of Disney’s rich history themselves. From captaining the boat in Steamboat Willie, walking the blue carpet at the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and visiting with the carousel horses from Mary Poppins, to being serenaded by Breathless Mahoney at Club Ritz (Dick Tracy), visiting Flynn’s Arcade (Tron), and coming face-to-face with the bride in the attic of the Haunted Mansion, fans will have the opportunity to relive moments from 100 Years of Wonder, all while making new memories to last a lifetime.
Walt Disney – Personal, travel bag, Gulfstream N732G logo printed on both sides. “Walt Disney Productions'” 1964
The popular Walt Disney Archives Stage returns, hosting more than a dozen panels and presentations throughout the weekend. Notables such as Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline, author and historian Graham Allan, Walt Disney Imagineering global ambassador Bob Weis, Imagineers from the Illusioneering Lab, and historian and artist Stacia Martin will offer a unique peek “behind the magic.” Fans will enjoy exploring many of Disney’s worlds, including the impressive 50-year legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parade, a look back at the 1980s and 1990s edition of theMickey Mouse Club, and the first half-century of the Walt Disney World Resort.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I airplane will be on display at D23 Expo. To accompany the return of this piece of Disney history, which is having its exterior restored and will be available for guests to see in the Arena of the Anaheim Convention Center, the Walt Disney Archives has curated an all-new exhibit featuring specially selected items that represent the history of the aircraft.
Included will be a customized instrument panel originally located near Walt’s favorite onboard seat (enabling him to monitor flight conditions), a telephone handset (which gave Walt a direct line of communication to the pilot in the cockpit), and a flight bag adorned with an image of Mickey Mouse sitting on the tail of the famed plane.
Plus, join the Archives team and special guests on the 1,250-seat Backlot stage on Saturday, September 10, at 10 a.m. for a look at the creation of the upcoming Disney100: The Exhibition, which opens next February at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
A limited number of single-day tickets for Sunday of D23 Expo 2022 are available for $99 for one-day adult admission and $79 for children ages 3–12. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $89 for a one-day adult admission. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2022, visit D23Expo.com.
Advance tickets are on sale now for Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder,” plus check out a new TV spot featuring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson and director Taika Waititi inviting fans to plan ahead and get tickets now ahead of the July 8 opening. Also available are seven new character posters featuring Thor, Mighty Thor, King Valkyrie, Korg, Gorr the God Butcher, Zeus and Goats Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder. (see them below)
Be one of the first to see “Thor: Love and Thunder” at Marvel Studios’ G.O.A.T. Marathon: Greatest of all Thor showing all four “Thor” films hosted by Nerdist at the El Capitan Theatre July 7.
The G.O.A.T. Marathon will begin at 6:00am and show “Thor”, “Thor: The Dark World”, “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.” Guests are encouraged to cosplay as their favorite Marvel characters. Tickets are $125 and include a t-shirt, lanyard with credential, drawstring bag, button badges, patch set, breakfast, Thor themed popcorn tin with refill and two bottled beverages.
Daily showtimes for “Thor: Love and Thunder” starting July 7 are 4:15pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm. Showtimes July 8 through 10 are 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:15pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm. Showtimes starting July 11 are 1:00pm, 4:15pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm. Showtimes are subject to change.
Guests are invited to arrive early to view a display of costumes from “Thor: Love and Thunder” and then see a Mighty Love and Thunder Laser and Light Show before the movie. For more information, visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/thor-love-and-thunder-on-sale-now/.
Sensory Inclusive Screenings are available July 13 at 7:30pm and July 23 at 1:00pm. For more information on Sensory Inclusive Screenings, visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/sensory-inclusive-screenings/. Open Caption screenings are also available on select dates.
A Mighty Ticket Package is available for $80 and includes four reserved tickets, four 64oz popcorn tubs and four bottled beverages. Additional tickets can be added by calling 1-800-Disney-6 (347-6396).
The El Capitan Theatre has taken enhanced health and safety measures for its guests and cast members. All guests must follow posted instructions while visiting. For health and safety information including theatre policies and procedures visit https://elcapitantheatre.com/safetyinformation/.
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About Marvel Thor: Love and Thunder
The film finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – one of self-discovery. But his efforts are interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor.
Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late. Directed by Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok,” “Jojo Rabbit”) and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, “Thor: Love and Thunder” opens in U.S. theaters July 8, 2022.
Six Flags Magic Mountain, the undisputed “Thrill Capital of the World,” has announced an exciting lineup of events and the introduction of the new Six Flags Annual Pass program. During a season that already includes the largest array of guest experience improvements in the park’s 50-year history, the summer kicks off with an exciting event lineup, a new pass that provides more flexibility and value than ever before, and coming soon, the addition of the park’s record 20th coaster.
Events include:
Coca-Cola July 4th Fest (July 2 – July 4) – One of Southern California’s most spectacular fireworks shows runs nightly July 2 through July 4 at 9:15pm. Guests can celebrate the red, white and blue with an ice-cold Coca-Cola, live music, limited-time culinary offerings, and the most thrilling collection of world-class coasters. This event is included with theme park admission.
WONDER WOMAN™ Flight of Courage – The park’s record 20th coaster—the most at any theme park on the planet—makes its debut this summer as the tallest, longest single-rail coaster in the world. Riders will take flight single file, on an incredible journey up a towering 13-story first drop, reaching speeds up to 58 miles-per-hour while soaring through a series of dives, banks, rolls, and turns over 3,300 feet of track.
Fright Fest (Select Nights September 10 – October 30) – One of Los Angeles’ most thrilling Halloween events, Fright Fest, returns with Thrills by Day and Fright by Night featuring a bone-chilling lineup of haunted attractions. Plus, face your fears in total darkness on the park’s most popular monster coasters…without the lights.
Holiday in the Park (Select Evenings November 24 – January 1) – Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a magical winter wonderland featuring millions of twinkling lights, beautifully themed areas throughout the park, festive shows and delicious holiday food and treats.
Six Flags has also made technological improvements throughout the park for more streamlined operations in rides and culinary locations. It includes the addition of several digital ride wait time monitors and mobile food ordering through the Six Flags App. Plus, park beautification enhancements consist of more shaded guest seating areas and an array of drought-tolerant plants.
Six Flags Announces New Annual Pass Program
Six Flags unveils a new pass program featuring different levels of benefits tailored to suit each guest’s preferences. This flexible new program offers the option for 12 easy monthly payments:
Annual Thrill Seeker Pass;
$140.00 or 12 payments starting at $11.67;
Includes admission to Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles and Phoenix (blockout dates apply), plus general parking and special savings on food and merchandise;
Annual Extreme Pass;
$195.00 or 12 payments starting at $16.25;
Includes admission to all Six Flags Outdoor Parks plus preferred parking, two Junior Passes (valid for guests 42” and under) and special savings on food and merchandise; and
Annual Ultimate Pass;
$350.00 or 12 payments starting at $29.17;
Includes access to all Six Flags Outdoor Parks plus front gate parking, two Junior Passes (valid for guests 42” and under), a ten-meal dining plan, and special savings on food and merchandise.
For a limited time, guests also have the option to purchase Passes valid through Labor Day including:
Summer Pass for only $99.99, which includes admission to Six Flags Magic Mountain; and
Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles Pass for only $99.99, including admission to the water park and general parking.
Guests can purchase and manage their Six Flags Annual Pass now by visiting sixflags.com/magicmountain or through the Six Flags App, where they can access a full list of benefits associated with their pass.
To celebrate the countdown to the theatrical release of Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear,” Disney+ invites fans to explore the history of Buzz Lightyear and get a sneak peek at the making of the all-new film. Pixar Animation Studios’ “Beyond Infinity: Buzz and the Journey to Lightyear” explores the evolution of an icon, tracing Buzz Lightyear’s route from toy to the hero featured in the new film. Check out the trailer and key art celebrating today’s launch of the documentary on Disney+.
Featuring filmmakers, storytellers, artists and members of the “Lightyear” voice cast, “Beyond Infinity: Buzz and the Journey to Lightyear” details how Buzz’s original action-figure design was realized, and how that look was translated years later into a human hero. Delving into the cultural impact of the galaxy’s most famous Space Ranger and his significance to Pixar filmmakers, this doc grapples with what actually is beyond infinity. It is directed by Tony Kaplan and produced by Sureena Mann.
Opening in theaters in one week (June 17), “Lightyear”—the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy—follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure. The film is directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”) and produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”).
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
