Something Wicked This Way Comes: 35th Anniversary

Walt Disney Pictures’ 1983 film Something Wicked This Way Comes was released 35 years ago today. A product of Disney’s “Dark Age," it was a true horror film, based on the novel by the same name by legendary sci-fi author and personal friend of Walt Disney Ray Bradbury. Set in the early 20th century, a mysterious Autumn carnival arrives in the small midwestern town of Green Town.  The initial excitement shared by the 2 young chums William Halloway and Jim Nightshade is replaced by terror as the true nature of the carnival is revealed, leading for a battle for the very soul of their home town and its inhabitants. Moody and atmospheric, the film charted new ground for the studio, trying to target a more mature audience while shaking the stigma of being a “kiddy studio."
While poorly received at the time, the film, like many of the “Dark Age” films, now has a cult following.

Take a midnight journey on Dark’s Pandemonium Carnival Train with us as we tell the story of how the film came to be.  Published in 1962, the novel was an expansion of Bradbury’s short story “The Black Ferris." Part of Bradbury’s Greentown Trilogy, it is a tale of the dangers of longing, regret and vanity.  Early on, Bradbury expressed the desire to bring the story to the big screen, and began shopping a screenplay around. Dancer and entertainer Jean Kelly was looking for the film to be his directorial debut, but was turned down by all the major studios.  Eventually the rights were sold to Paramount Pictures with Director Jack Clayton and Bradbury attached. After languishing in years of development Hell,  Walt Disney Pictures bought the rights from Paramount, and kept Clayton on as director. After a disastrous test screening and five million dollars spent in rewrites, redone special effects, and a new score by James Horner, the film was released to a lukewarm reception. Bradbury even called it “not a great film.”

Something Wicked was released on DVD by Anchor Bay, and later by Disney in 2004, with both versions of the soundtrack released by Intrada Records. In 2014, a remake was announced with the author of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith, attached as director. The Disney Company was very different 35 years ago than the Marvel/Star Wars juggernaut that is currently dominating the cineplexes. Chances were taken and mistakes were certainly made (looking at you, Condorman), but the period of experimentation and pushing the envelope gave us a creepy and disturbing period film that will forever have us looking over our shoulders at the approaching storm.

Avengers: Infinity War or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The MCU

It has taken over 10 years to get to Avengers: Infinty War, not that the film has been in development for that long. It is instead the culmination of 18 Marvel films (19, if you include Howard the Duck, which I do) and we might as well throw in ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter. After sitting through the nearly 3 hour long opus, I can say that it's definitely been worth the wait.

There can be no doubt of the power and craft of the Marvel MCU films. It's in their uncanny ability to pack a deeply emotional character story and comedic moments in the middle of amazing special effects and fisticuffs. In this tradition of excellence, Avengers: Infinity War does not disappoint. The story picks up immediately following the events of Thor: Ragnarok as the Asgardian ship is intercepted by Thanos, played with conviction by Josh Brolin. All the familiar characters are reintroduced in subsequent scenes with team pairings that even a casual fan would salivate over. Most of the comedic moments are provided courtesy by the narcissistic banter of the Stark / Strange / Quill triad. It's as fun as you think it would be.

The film isn't just played up for laughs. There are genuinely heart-wrenching moments, especially in the final act, which can't be discussed without spoilers. Never did the run time of this film seem too long, and the pacing and action are tight. The film sets itself up nicely for a second chapter, which will be in cineplexes in a year.  Avengers: Infinity War is a visceral and gutsy thrill ride that will leave you thinking, "Oh no, they didn't!" But yes, Marvel did.

Disney announces chain of Barcades

The Disney Company is planning to build on the current nostalgia driven trend of blending bars with classic video arcade games (Barcades). The new Flynn’s Barcade concept is modeled on the classic video game arcade featured in the films TRON and TRON: Legacy. In 2011, Disney experimented with a Flynn’s arcade as part of their ElecTRONica section promoting the film. Due to the popularity of the site, and the success of barcades like Dave and Busters and 1983 popping up around the country, Disney has decided to capitalize on the trend.

Flynn's at ElecTRONica

Disney CEO Bob Iger has hand-selected Current Executive Vice President of Disney Stores, Paul Gains, to head the project. “We are proud to bring the Disney brand to the exciting arena of barcades.” said Gains. “We hope to benefit from the name recognition of Flynn’s to cater to Gen-Xers who miss the nostalgia of going to their local video arcade with a pocketful of quarters.” Gains also stated that all games will only cost one quarter to play and that change machines will be provided throughout the facilities. To make up for the reduced cost of the games, beer and alcohol will be provided at a premium price.

Artist Rendering

In a shift from current trends there will also be a smoking section of the arcade where patrons can rest their cigarettes on the player control consoles to create the authentic burnmarks so loved by millions.  To further enhance the experience, cast members will be roaming around the arcade wearing 80’s style clothes such as tube socks with shorts, parachute pants, and male cut-off shirts. “We will be the first barcade to incorporate patented Disney Smellitzer technology to recreate the smell of mildewed carpets and body odor that was synonymous with arcades in the 70’s and 80’s.” said Gains. Pilot locations will be opening in Yee-Haw Junction Florida, Blue Ball Pennsylvania, and Walla Walla Washington.