Sunday, August 18, 2024

Poor Things Review


 Of all the things I could’ve watched on family friendly Disney+, Yorgos Lanthimo’s Poor Things is the one I chose and I’m so glad I did! The film is a brilliant surreal period piece with a plot somewhere between Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Alex Martin’s Ex Machina. Emma Stone’s Oscar winning portrayal of the reanimated Bella and Willem Dafoe’s disfigured doctor are standouts. The blend of CG and practical settings with a fantastical story make for an engaging and funny viewing experience. Definitely not for viewing with the kids as we follow Bella’s infantile brain learning how to navigate her womanhood and sexuality. All elements combine for a complete film and masterpiece of modern cinema.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

The review of the movie of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

 


2011’s  Rise of the Planet of the Apes kicked off one of the most consistently high quality (and underrated) movie franchises in recent history. In the age of multiverses and franchise building, The Planet of the Apes has bucked the trend of diminishing returns, until now. The latest installment by Disney owned Fox Studios is set after many generations separated from the Caesar saga. This film serves as a kind of soft reboot, especially when it tackles the outcome of the virus that now leaves the human survivors mute and cognitively impaired. The story is a predictable hero’s journey narrative, and the motion capture technology and visuals haven’t advanced much from the groundbreaking 2011 film. There is a little humor mixed in provided by Peter Jerrod Macon whose voice fans of The Orville series will recognize as Lt. Commander Bortus. His portrayal of the wise Caesar historian Orangutan is engaging and heartfelt. The film, while entertaining, is the weakest of the series.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Deadpool and Wolverine Review


What does an audience want from a long-anticipated Deadpool and Wolverine team up? Director Shawn Levy and star Ryan Reynolds know. So much so that Deadpool literally says it during the one of many signature fourth wall breaks. To the unspoiled, many surprises abound in the form of callbacks and cameos. The entire film screams fan service and not only makes no effort to hide it, it throws it in your face! Yes, by this third film the novelty has worn a little thin, and Marvel killed the vibe with the She Hulk series. The main protagonist is forgettable, and actually it’s unforgivable that a certain brainiac X-Man didn’t show up to provide a redemption arc for the baddie. Also disappointing was the lack of onscreen reveal of Reynolds’s wife Blake Lively as Lady Deadpool, and his daughter Inez as “Kidpool” respectively. Lively confirmed it. Also a mild letdown for the Swifties out there. All nitpicking aside, Deadpool and Wolverine is a fun, if not stellar, introduction of our heroes to the MCU. Gory and foul mouthed, it’s amazing this film even exists under the Disney umbrella.

Sunday, July 7, 2024

My Science Project Review


 Disney’s entry into the 80’s “science” movie craze is a forgettable time bending flick. Decent SFX for the time and a theme song by The Tubes (one of my favorite 80’s bands) can’t make up for the flat teen acting and sketchy attempts at humor. The exception is a truly gonzo performance by Dennis Hopper! Watch Weird Science or Real Genius instead to get your 80’s nerd fix.


Monday, February 13, 2023

Trailer Mania






Everything about Super Bowl LVII was exciting. Football fans watched a nail biter of a game, Rihanna fans got one of the best Halftime shows in recent memory, and movie fans

some amazing trailers. Disney’s entries in the million dollar spots did not disappoint.

Kicking off (pun intended) the big three was the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 4. The new trailer included footage from the prior trailer while adding some new clips matched with a killer track from the band Rainbow. We knew there was going to be funny and heartbreaking moments being that this is the last in the series. Watch the trailer below.


Next up is the trailer from Lucasfilm’s new entry in the Indiana Jones franchise: Indiana Jones and Dial of Destiny. Here we see a de-aged Harrison Ford as a younger Indy. While there are some previously included clips, new scenes give us a glimpse into Indy’s (possibly) last time in the fedora. Watch the trailer below.

Finally, Disney thanks their fans for sharing in the company’s 100 year anniversary. In a promotional reel, the company traces their history through the multiple generations who have found magic through Disney’s films, cartoons, and theme parks. While short on 100th Anniversary celebration details, the commercial is a nostalgic trip to the past. Watch the trailer below.

2023 looks to be an exciting year for Disney fans young and old!

Friday, April 1, 2022

Exciting New Walt Disney World Announcements

 


The Disney Company is celebrating Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary with magical surprise announcements.  Disney Chairman Bob Chapek announced the changes in a small meeting of remaining Chapek loyalists.  "We listened to our guests who are asking for entirely new and exciting experiences.” said Chapek. “We will be responding those requests by creating cost effective temporary overlays to existing attractions." Cheapek went on to say that each park will have new attractions featuring fan favorite Disney classic movies from the 90's and 2000's.  The following is a park by park summary of the announcements.  


Chapek announced "Disney’s The Magical Kingdom will have two new features that paying customers are going to love!" The first announced change will be for Frontierland.  Guests will be transported to the Little Patch of Heaven Ranch and have interactive experiences with characters from the critically lauded classic Disney film "Home on the Range."  The"Milking Maggie" experience will feature a lifelike animatronic cow with realistic milk dispensing udder (they’re not real). The milk will be available to purchase in collectable cups for a "reasonable price." The Country Bear Jamboree will be renamed the “Yodeling with Alameda Slim Show" where guests can yodel along with Slim and the Bears during the nearly 5 minute performance. 


Tomorrowland will see new activity in the former Mission to Mars /Stitch's Great Escape show building. The attraction will be renamed Mission to Mars Needs Moms and will feature characters and themes from the Disney smash hit movie.  Guests will fly to Mars with Milo and Gribble to save Milo's mom who was kidnapped by Martians for some reason. 




"Disney’s The Hollywood Movie Studios will also get into the revenue generating fun with the triumphant return of the Hunchback of Notre Dame stage show” added Chapek. “To maximize revenue while limiting resources, we will basically be using the same costumes, music, and props from the original heavily attended show."  To keep the show current, unused scaffolding will be put in front of the Notre Dame background to accurately recreate the current condition of the original building being reconstructed in Paris.  


Another excitingly unnecessary redesign to celebrate the 50th will be the conversion of 50's Prime Time restaurant into the Mr. Magoo Diner.  "I hear that people love the interactivity of the Prime Time place there and we want to add something new." Paycheck said. "Imagine the fun of having that blind rascal, Mr. Magoo as you waiter! Guests will laugh with glee at Mr. Magoo's visual deficits as he risks physical harm by tripping and spilling hot soup and food on them." An added bonus will be the hiring of actual blind white elderly males to inhabit the role!


"Disney's Kingdom of Animals will go wild with a new addition!" Chapek said.  The safari ride will be rethemed to the hit Disney film "The Wild."  Cheapskate noted. "We will reference everyone's favorite jungle friends Samson and his son Ryan by placing signs with their names on them in front of our real lions."  Additional animals that look like characters from the film will also get signs!  Chapek's eyes light up uncannily as he describes another new change. "Since we already have a Dinosaur ride, we won't change anything, just add the label "Based on the Hit Film"."  DVD's will be sold at a new cart at the exit so people will know the film even exists.


Lastly, EPCOT gets into the celebration. Fan favorite ride Soarin' will receive a new update. "We are excited to announce the update based on the wildly popular Disney classic film, "Valiant" adding new interactive features!" screamed Chapstick.  Visitors will get a pigeon-eye view while flying with everyone's favorite poorly rendered pigeons, Valiant, Bugsy and Lofty. Guests will use squirt bottles filled with white and yellow viscous fluid to emulate birds defecating on people and cars below.  The guest with the most “poop hits” will receive a 5% off coupon for souvenir purchases on their next visit!  

 "We are halfway through the 50th Anniversary celebration and we haven't seen the uptick in attendance we expected, so we hope this will improve attendance and revenue for the company without having to add any costly creativity and innovation." 

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Sync Up Your Calendars!


 There comes a time when the cycles converge and the past becomes the future.
Along with the hope for a better year, 2022 also brings a special surprise for fans of 2011’s TRON:Legacy. If you still have your calendar from 2011, you can use it for 2022! How can this be? It just so happens that 2011 and 2022 share the same days and dates in perfect sync. 
Unfortunately, There is no 1983 OG TRON calendar, because that year works as well.
So dust off that old calendar, and go back to The Grid!