DISNEY AND PIXAR’S “LIGHTYEAR” TRAILER & POSTER

 

Check out a brand-new, action-packed trailer, poster and image for Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear,” an original feature film releasing June 17, 2022. The sci-fi action-adventure presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. 

 

Chris Evans (“Knives Out,” “Avengers: Endgame”) lends his voice to Buzz. “The phrase ‘a dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but I’ve never meant it more in my life,” says Evans. “Anyone who knows me knows that my love for animated films runs deep. I can’t believe that I get to be a part of the Pixar family and work with these truly brilliant artists who tell stories unlike anyone else. Watching them work is nothing short of magic. I pinch myself every day.”

 

Annie Award-winning director and veteran Pixar animator Angus MacLane, who co-directed 2016’s “Finding Dory,” helms “Lightyear.” Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot” short) produces. 

MARVEL STUDIOS’ “ETERNALS” WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS

 

Tonight in Hollywood, stars Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Brian Tyree Henry, Don Lee, Richard Madden, Lia McHugh, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, and Kit Harington joined director/screenwriter Chloé Zhao, producers Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, executive producers Louis D’Esposito and Victoria Alonso, and screenwriters Ryan Firpo, Kaz Firpo and Patrick Burleigh for a walk down the red carpet to celebrate the premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Eternals.”

Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” opens in theaters on Friday, November 5.

 

Disney's Jungle Cruise Digital Review

 

Jungle Cruise takes its inspiration from the beloved attraction of the same name and combines it with elements of several hit films to create a fun adventure for the entire family. Without going into spoilers you will get hints of The African Queen (ironically which the attraction was inspired by), The Mummy and Pirates of The Caribbean. 

Searching for the Tears of the Moon, an ancient tree with mythical healing abilities, we find Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) and her brother (Jack Whitehall) in need of a skipper. They find their man in Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson), a man who is full of surprises. Right behind this trio is German aristocrat Prince Joachim (Jesse Plemons) who wants the tree and it's healing properties for his own sinister plans. 

As we head down the Amazon, we learn through a series of flashbacks about the history of the tree and get some insight about Franks past. We become more attached to Frank and see how Frank and Lily grow closer together. There is slapstick comedy as well as ample references to the attraction itself. Wait until you hear how many great one liners that the skippers actually use on the attraction are in the film! The chemistry of the actors works really well together and comes across the screen in the best of ways. 

Video Quality:

The 4K Dolby Vision video is pristine. The blacks are rich and inky, the details on clothing are well defined and the jungle looks as if you can reach out and touch it. Another excellent digital transfer from Disney. 

Audio Quality:

The 5.1 Dolby Atmos audio is solid with dialogue that is not drowned out by the score or sound effects. The sound effects such as the sounds of the jungle immerse you into the movie as you hear the sounds  of birds behind you.  James Newton Howard's score comes across brilliantly and becomes a character itself. 

Bonus Features

There is a wealth of bonus features here! Starting with the Jungle Cruise Expedition Mode which is as close to an audio commentary that you will get. You get a lot of fun information about the history of the Jungle Cruise attraction as well as some great behind the scenes details about the making of the movie. The Once A Skip, Always A Skip featurette is another favorite as it features a few former and current Jungle Cruise skippers at Disneyland including a friend of mine that I had no idea was making an appearance. Then the deleted scenes are all great and add some further insight into the storyline. 

• Jungle Cruise Expedition Mode – Climb aboard a ramshackle tramp steamer (or your own couch) to learn fun facts, discover Easter eggs and catch some pop-up trivia throughout the movie.
• It’s A Jungle Out There: Making Jungle Cruise – Director Jaume Collet-Serra, the cast and crew discuss the importance of the film’s elements, from casting to makeup to the use of an ancient indigenous language, in creating the world that honors one of Disneyland’s most beloved rides.
• Dwayne And Emily: Undoubtedly Funny – Go on-set with the two stars, whose newfound friendship helped them project a natural onscreen chemistry. Although their characters challenge each other throughout the film, the actors make each other laugh. A lot!
• Creating The Amazon – Explore the cinematic artistry involved in creating the world of “Jungle Cruise,” including how Frank’s boat coursed “dangerous” water in a tank in Atlanta, how a town was built in Kauai, and how a ferocious jaguar came to life, among other amazing effects.
• Once A Skip, Always A Skip – Join a panel of “Skippers” at the Disneyland Resort as they reminisce about the rewards, challenges and surprises they’ve experienced while helming the world-famous “Jungle Cruise” attraction, and hear their advice to aspiring skippers everywhere!
• Outtakes – Step behind the scenes of the production to catch the cast in a series of flubs, falls, foibles — and a whole lot of laughter.
• Deleted Scenes
  • MacGregor Drives The Boat
  • MacGregor Water Skis
  • Joachim And Nilo On The Dock
  • Frank Talks To Proxima & Lily’s Nightmares
  • Sub Gets Stuck
  • Proxima Surprises MacGregor
  • Frank Gets The Cold Shoulder
  • Trader Sam And Lily Walk In The Jungle
  • MacGregor And Trader Sam Say Goodbye
  • Frank Makes Tea For Lily

Final Thoughts:

Jungle Cruise is a solid summer movie full of action, adventure, comedy and heart. It's a fun ride and filled with great extras! Highly recommended! 

Jungle Cruise is now available to purchase on Digital and will be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD November 16.

Disclosure:

I was provided a free digital copy of Jungle Cruise for this review. All of the opinions are my own. No other compensation was received. 

DISNEY+ TO LAUNCH FIRST TWO EPISODES OF MARVEL STUDIOS’ “HAWKEYE” NOV. 24

 

Disney+ unveiled plans today to launch the first two episodes of Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” when the highly anticipated six-episode event debuts exclusively on the streamer November 24. Subsequent episodes will launch each week on Wednesday. Check out a new 60-second spot that offers fans a glimpse of Clint Barton and fellow archer Kate Bishop in action.

 

Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” is an original new series set in post-blip New York City where former Avenger Clint Barton aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. But when a threat from his past shows up, Hawkeye reluctantly teams up with Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), a 22-year-old skilled archer and his biggest fan, to unravel a criminal conspiracy. The series also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on Nov. 24, 2021.

DISNEY+ DEBUTS NEW TRAILER & POSTER FOR “OLAF PRESENTS”

 

Disney+ and Walt Disney Animation Studios unveiled plans for a new series of shorts starring the snowman-turned-storyteller, Olaf, as he recreates moments from Disney Animation classics “The Little Mermaid,” “Moana,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Tangled.” “Olaf Presents” launches exclusively on Disney+ Day – a global celebration that will come to life across The Walt Disney Company on Friday, November 12, with new content releases, fan experiences, exclusive offers and more.

 

In “Olaf Presents,” Olaf steps into the spotlight and goes from snowman to showman as he takes on the roles of producer, actor, costumer and set builder for his unique “retelling” of five favorite Disney animated tales in “Olaf Presents,” a series of new animated shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The charismatic and versatile Olaf demonstrates his theatrical flair, taking on such iconic roles as a mermaid, a genie, a lion king (and most of the parts in between), as he entertains Arendelle with his delightful abbreviated versions of these beloved tales. Josh Gad returns to voice Olaf with veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond directing and Jennifer Newfield producing.

DISNEY+ DEBUTS TRAILER AND KEY ART FOR “THE BEATLES: GET BACK,” DIRECTED BY PETER JACKSON

 

Disney+ released the trailer and key art for the upcoming three-part series “The Beatles: Get Back.” The Disney+ original docuseries, directed by Peter Jackson, will be arriving on Disney+ just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Made entirely from never-before-seen, restored footage, it provides the most intimate and honest glimpse into the creative process and relationship between John, Paul, George, and Ringo ever filmed.  Be sure to check them both out, and don’t forget to watch “The Beatles: Get Back” when it rolls out over three days, November 25, 26, and 27, 2021, exclusively on Disney+.

 

Directed by three-time Oscar®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “They Shall Not Grow Old”), “The Beatles: Get Back” takes audiences back in time to the band’s January 1969 recording sessions, which became a pivotal moment in music history. The docuseries showcases The Beatles’ creative process as they attempt to write 14 new songs in preparation for their first live concert in over two years. Faced with a nearly impossible deadline, the strong bonds of friendship shared by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are put to the test. The docuseries is compiled from nearly 60 hours of unseen footage shot over 21 days, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg in 1969, and from more than 150 hours of unheard audio, most of which has been locked in a vault for over half a century. Jackson is the only person in 50 years to have been given access to this Beatles treasure trove, all of which has now been brilliantly restored.  What emerges is an unbelievably intimate portrait of The Beatles, showing how, with their backs against the wall, they could still rely on their friendship, good humor, and creative genius. While plans derail and relationships are put to the test, some of the world’s most iconic songs are composed and performed. The docuseries features – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles’ last live performance as a group, the unforgettable rooftop concert on London’s Savile Row, as well as other songs and classic compositions featured on the band’s final two albums, Abbey Road and Let It Be.

 

An exciting new collaboration between The Beatles and Jackson presented by The Walt Disney Studios in association with Apple Corps Ltd. and WingNut Films Productions Ltd., “The Beatles: Get Back” is directed by Peter Jackson, produced by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, Olivia Harrison, Peter Jackson, Clare Olssen (“They Shall Not Grow Old”) and Jonathan Clyde (“Eight Days a Week”), with Apple Corps’ Jeff Jones (“Eight Days a Week”) and Ken Kamins (“The Hobbit” trilogy) serving as executive producers. Jabez Olssen (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) serves as the film’s editor, the music supervisor is Giles Martin (“Rocketman”), Michael Hedges (“The Adventures of Tintin”) and Brent Burge (“The Hobbit” trilogy) serve as the series re-recording mixers, and the music is mixed by Giles Martin and Sam Okell (“Yesterday”).

'AMERICAN BORN CHINESE' GOES STRAIGHT TO SERIES FOR DISNEY+

 

Disney+ has greenlit "American Born Chinese," a genre-hopping action-comedy series, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The Disney Branded Television series is produced by 20th Television.

 

Destin Daniel Cretton (Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," "Short Term 12") is set to direct and executive-produce.

 

Written and executive-produced by Emmy^® Award-winning Kelvin Yu ("Bob's Burgers") and Charles Yu ("Legion," "Westworld"), the series is also executive-produced by Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan (both of "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D." for Disney+, "Fresh Off the Boat" for ABC, and "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" and "Jumanji: The Next Level" feature films). Asher Goldstein ("Short Term 12," "Just Mercy") and Gene Luen Yang are also executive producers. Kelvin Yu serves as showrunner. 

 

"American Born Chinese" tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his immigrant home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. The show is a genre-hopping action-comedy that explores issues of identity, culture, and family.

 

"We are delighted to continue our relationship with Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan and thrilled that Destin Daniel Cretton is set to direct," said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. "The team are visionaries in bringing character-driven adventures to life, and we cannot wait for our audience to experience this fantastically memorable and imaginative adaptation of the graphic novel. This is a great universal story that moves between worlds and explores the impact of culture, identity, and acceptance through the lens of adolescence."

 

Added 20th Television President Karey Burke, "This has been a labor of love for Melvin Mar, and like the force of nature he is, the team he has assembled in Kelvin, Destin and Jake is as inspired and otherworldly as Gene's beautiful graphic novel. We are so proud to be their studio and grateful to Ayo and everyone at Disney Branded Television and Disney+ for their belief in this series."

Commented executive producer and writer Kelvin Yu, "Gene Luen Yang's book is a staple in American literature, and deeply important to a whole generation of readers. Destin and Melvin are storytellers working at the highest level imaginable. It's all so exciting and so humbling to be a part of."

 

Director and executive producer Destin Daniel Cretton said, "Reading Kelvin's riveting adaptation of Gene's incredible novel had me laughing and crying and jumping out of my chair on every page. I feel deeply connected to the characters in this story and the brilliant team bringing it to life. This show is going to be unlike anything we've experienced on TV, and I can't wait for the world to see what we're cooking up."

 

Remarked Gene Luen Yang, who created the graphic novel, "I feel so lucky to be working with this team. Melvin Mar is a man with a vision, and I'm deeply grateful that he took this project under his wing. Kelvin Yu is a phenomenal talent. His script brings to television everything I wanted to get across in my book. And Destin Cretton... who in America isn't a fan of Destin Cretton right now? I can't wait for him to bring his signature blend of action and heart to the show. When I was in high school, I was such a big Disney fan that I had at least one Mickey Mouse item on me at all times: a wallet, a watch, a belt buckle, a t-shirt, something. Being a part of Disney+ is a dream come true."

MARVEL STUDIOS’ “ETERNALS” ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE PLUS CHARACTER POSTERS & NEW FEATURETTE

 

Fans can purchase movie tickets to Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” to be among the first to watch the film in theaters on Friday, November 5.  Get a special look at the MCU’s newest Super Heroes with just-off-the-press character posters and enjoy a brand-new, action-packed featurette for the movie.

Fans can purchase advance theater tickets through Fandango to see the movie on the big screen in select cinemas. 

Advance theater tickets now on sale at: Fandango.com/Eternals

Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings Levels Up to Digital November 12 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD November 30

 

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 1, 2021) – Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings debuts on all major digital platforms November 12 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on November 30. Marvel fans can enjoy never-before-seen bonus material including 11 deleted scenes and a gag reel.

 

Film Synopsis

Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must face the past he thought he left behind and confront his father, leader of the dangerous Ten Rings organization. The film also stars Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, and Florian Munteanu, with Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan and Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu.

 

Beginning November 12, “one of Marvel’s best origin stories” (Sean Mulvihill, Fanboy Nation), Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings will be available to all Disney+ subscribers. The film also arrives on all digital stores such as Apple TV, Prime Video and Vudu with exclusive bonus features.

Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings Bonus Features*

• Gag Reel – Take a look at some of the fun mishaps on set with the cast and crew of Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings.
• Deleted Scenes
• They’re Waiting – Shang-Chi and Katy connect with Xialing over a call.
• Take a Shot – Katy has a moment of resolve during a battle.
• Apology – Years after his sudden absence, Shang-Chi tries to apologize to Xialing.
• I’m Here – Shang-Chi and Katy have a conversation in the alley. Katy reassures Shang-Chi that she will always be his support system.
• Pep Talk – In order to turn the tide, Razor Fist encourages Katy during the middle of a battle.
• Greatness – Trevor and Katy bond over passions in their getaway car.
• Escape Tunnel – The gang slips out through Trevor's escape tunnel in order to secure a getaway vehicle.
• Two Sons – Xu Wenwu compares Shang-Chi and Razor Fist during a tense dinner.
• Postcard – Shang-Chi and Xu Wenwu reunite as father and son. Shang-Chi makes it clear he disagrees with Xu Wenwu's philosophy.
• Just Friends – Katy and Xialing get to know each other. Xialing asks Katy some personal questions.
• Do It Yourself – Xu Wenwu returns to his empire after the Iron Gang boss is captured.
• Building a Legacy – Go behind the scenes and explore Shang-Chi’s explosive debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Family Ties – A deep dive into the rich but complicated legacy of Shang-Chi and Xu Wenwu.
• Audio Commentary – View the film with Audio Commentary by Destin Daniel Cretton and Dave Callaham.