4K Digital Review of Moana 2

 

It has been eight years since Moana hit theaters and the sequel takes us back into the world almost effortlessly. The sequel picks up three years after the events of the first film. Maui (Dwayne Johnson) is out on a quest to find the god Nalo, who has placed a curse of the hidden island of Motufetu, once a place that brought the people of the ocean together. Moana's (Auli'i Cravalho) ancestors summon a comet for her to follow to take her to Motufetu. She puts a crew together, reunites with Maui and they face Nalo.

Just like in the first movie, Moana 2 is filled with fun and memorable songs, stunning animation and a strong voice cast. Returning and new cast deliver outstanding performances. Moana 2 focuses on the importance of friends and family. It is a wonderful family film to sharer with loved ones.

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos track is solid. Voices are crisp and clear. The surrounds are filled with the musical score and environmental sounds. Another great effort from Disney.

Video:

The 4K Dolby Vision video is stunning. The colors of the ocean are filled with rich blues and greens. Skin tones, clothing and hair look realistic and move fluidly. The animation is crisp and clean. A beautifully stunning transfer from Disney.

Bonus Features:

Full Length Sing-Along – Sing along with your favorite songs while watching the movie with on-screen lyrics.

Call of the Wayfinder – Celebrate Pacific wayfinding with the Moana 2 filmmakers as they meet real-life navigators from the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Hear from Nainoa Thompson, CEO of PVS, and other crew members as they discuss the cultural renaissance of wayfinding.

A New Voyage – Join the filmmakers and artistic leads for a deep dive as they reveal the development of this sequel and discuss the impact that the first film had across the globe. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson talk about what it means to them to return.

Songs of the Sea – Sit down with songwriters Abigail Barlow & Emily Bear, Pacific Islands music legend Opetaia Foa‘i, and composer Mark Mancina as they discuss making the music. Get to know this talented team as they share insight into writing each brand-new song.

Kakamora Chronicles – Ever wanted to know more about the Kakamora? Gather ’round while Moni, everyone’s favorite Motunui historian, tells the tales from real Solomon Island folklore surrounding the mysterious and unforgettable beings known as the Kakamora.

Fun in the Booth – Step inside the recording booth with the brilliant and talented actors of Moana 2 for some creative fun as they bring their characters to life.

Deleted Scenes – Overall introduction to Deleted Scenes by directors David G. Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller.

• Call to Motufetū
• Late to the Party
• Crew’s In for a Bruisin’
• Help Wanted
• Odd Birds
• Reunited
• Simea’s Chant

Song Selection:

• “We’re Back”
• “Beyond”
• “Finding the Way”
• “What Could Be Better Than This”
• “Get Lost”
• “Can I Get a Chee Hoo”
• “Mana Vavau”
• “Beyond” Reprise
• “Finding the Way” Reprise

Conclusion:

Moana 2 is a wonderful sequel bringing us back familiar friends and a host of new ones. The film is packed with fun and delightful songs and stunning animation. The video transfer is stunning and the audio track is another winner. A must have in your collection.

Moana 2 is available on digital now, and will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K UHD March 18th.

*The movie was provided for review purposes by Walt Disney Home Entertainment but my review is strictly my own opinion*

LUCASFILM CELEBRATES 2OTH ANNIVERSARY OF “STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH” WITH THEATRICAL RE-RELEASE

 

Today, Lucasfilm announced the return of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith’’ to the big screen on April 25 to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. The film will run in U.S. theaters and select international territories for one week only and will be available in several formats, including, for the first time,  4DX.  4DX features high-tech motion chairs that sync with over 21 effects, all designed to complement the narrative of the film. 

 

Renowned graphic artist Matt Ferguson created an exciting new poster for the re-release event.

 

“Revenge of the Sith” takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars,  when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thousand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic Empire. Jedi Hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the dark side of the Force to become the Emperor’s new apprentice – Darth Vader. The Jedi are decimated, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Yoda are forced into hiding.

 

The film stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Frank Oz as Yoda, Jimmy Smits, Peter Mayhew, Ahmed Best, Oliver Ford Davies, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Daniels, Silas Carson, Kenny Baker with Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu and Christopher Lee as Count Dooku. George Lucas wrote and directed the film.

DISNEY+ UNVEILS SEASON 2 TEASER TRAILER & POSTER FOR LUCASFILM’S ACCLAIMED SERIES “ANDOR”

 

Disney+ released the teaser trailer and poster for the highly anticipated second season of Lucasfilm’s Emmy®-nominated thriller “Andor,” which returns for its long-awaited conclusion on April 22.  Season 2 will see the characters and their relationships intensify as the horizon of war draws near and Cassian becomes a key player in the Rebel Alliance. Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound. 

 

Rife with political intrigue, danger, tension, and high stakes, the series is a prequel to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which portrayed a heroic band of rebels who steal the plans to the Empire’s weapon of mass destruction: The Death Star, setting the stage for the events of the original 1977 film.  “Andor” sets the clock back   five years from the events of “Rogue One” to tell the story of the film’s hero, Cassian Andor, and his transformation from disinterested, cynical nobody into a rebel hero on his way to an epic destiny. 

 

Says creator and executive producer Tony Gilroy, “One of the great thrills of making ‘Andor’ is the scale of the story and the number of characters we’re able to meet -- ordinary people, Imperial overlords, passionate revolutionaries. They are real people making epic decisions, all of them staring down questions with terrifying consequences. Cassian’s journey is the soul and spine of our story, but it’s the choir that makes the show. I’m so excited for audiences to see where we go in Season 2.”

 

The final season will unfold over 12 episodes broken down into four chapters of three episodes each. The first chapter will premiere April 22, with subsequent chapters debuting each week. 

 

“Andor” Season 2 stars Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, Alan Tudyk, with Ben Mendelsohn and Forest Whitaker. The series was created by Tony Gilroy, who also serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Diego Luna, Luke Hull and John Gilroy. Tony Gilroy wrote the first three episodes, with Beau Willimon writing episodes 4-6, Dan Gilroy penning episodes 7-9 and Tom Bissell putting pen to paper for episodes 10-12. The directors for the series are Ariel Kleiman (Eps. 1-6), Janus Metz (Eps. 7-9) and Alonso Ruizpalacios (Eps. 10-12). 

SPECIAL LEGACY FEATURETTE FOR “DISNEY’S SNOW WHITE” AVAILABLE NOW

 

A brand-new legacy featurette on “Disney’s Snow White,” the live-action musical reimagining of the studio’s classic 1937 film, is now available to download and share. The magical music adventure which journeys back to the timeless story with Rachel Zegler in the title role and Gal Gadot as her Stepmother, the Evil Queen, opens exclusively in theaters March 21, 2025. 

 

The stunning featurette includes interviews with cast and filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage, and clips from the studio’s 1937 animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

 

“Disney’s Snow White” is directed by Marc Webb, written by Erin Cressida Wilson, and produced by Marc Platt, p.g.a., and Jared LeBoff, p.g.a., with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer. The film features all-new original songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and an original score composed by Jeff Morrow. The film also stars Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey, Tituss Burgess as Bashful, Martin Klebba as Grumpy, Jason Kravits as Sneezy, George Salazar as Happy, Jeremy Swift as Doc, and Andrew Grotelueschen as Sleepy.

 

“I am so excited for audiences and fans around the world to see this sneak peek and to revisit the magical world of Snow White,” says Webb. “Our goal has always been to honor the original animated film, and we are extremely grateful to the team of amazing artists – from puppeteers to voice actors and motion capture technicians – for bringing these magical, charming characters to life in such a unique way.”

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Celebrates 60th Anniversary on March 2 - Newly Restored and Remastered 4K to Debut This Year

 

BURBANK, CA (February 20, 2025) – This March 2, 2025 will mark 60 years since the tunes of Rodgers & Hammerstein brought theatrical hills alive with the cinematic treasure The Sound of Music. This year, fans of all ages will experience the heart-warming sights and sing-along sounds of the classic film in a beautifully restored and remastered version to be released in 4K image resolution, courtesy of the precise work endeavored by the Walt Disney Film Restoration team. Over the course of 9 months, the restoration team oversaw digital scanning of preserved film footage and expert clean-up efforts to correct any dirt, warping or other issues encountered. “Our team is honored to care for and re-deliver this classic film to audiences around the world so they can enjoy it in all its originally intended visual and audio glory,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director, Restoration & Library Management. Weaving artistic skills with innovative technology in a process more delicate than the petals of an edelweiss, the 60th anniversary restoration of The Sound of Music sings with both vibrant color and resounding melody, sharing the cinematic legacy anew for generations to come.

“This enhanced version of The Sound of Music is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic masterpiece. As we enter the 60th year, the restoration will safeguard our beloved classic for generations to come,” says Imogen Lloyd Webber, who oversees the Rodgers & Hammerstein brand as EVP Marketing and Communications for Concord Theatricals and Originals.
 
“The Walt Disney Company couldn’t be a better partner to bring to life an amazing international celebration of The Sound of Music’s enduring and meaningful impact on culture,” adds Sophia Dilley, EVP of Concord Originals.

In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Her warmth, charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father. But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. A five-time Academy Awards®-winning classic, and one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable Rodgers & Hammerstein treasures like “Edelweiss,” ”My Favorite Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” and “Do-Re-Mi.”
 
Watch for future announcements on the rollout of 60th anniversary celebration for The Sound of Music and brush off your do-re-mi skills in the meantime!

MARVEL STUDIOS DEBUTS NEW TRAILER & POSTER FOR “THUNDERBOLTS*” DURING TODAY’S BIG GAME

 

Today during the Big Game, Marvel Studios released a new trailer and poster for the upcoming feature film “Thunderbolts*.”  

 

Marvel Studios also announced the exciting news that Son Lux will be scoring “Thunderbolts*.” The three-member, American experimental band was Oscar® and BAFTA- nominated for their score for 2022’s best picture “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”  

 

In  “Thunderbolts*,”  Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

  

Returning to their Marvel Cinematic Universe roles are Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The cast also includes newcomers to the MCU—Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer and Wendell Edward Pierce.

 

Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*”with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek and Jason Tamez serve as executive producers.

 

Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” opens in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2025. 

MARVEL’S FIRST FAMILY LAUNCHES “THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS” INAUGURAL TRAILER & POSTER

 

Take a look at the teaser trailer and one of the teaser posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. 

4K Digital Review of A Real Pain

 

A Real Pain follows the story of two cousins, David (Jesse Eisenberg), and Benji (Kieran Culkin), going on a trip to Poland after their grandmother passed away. She was a Polish Holocaust survivor, and the two cousins are on a Holocaust tour to pay tribute and honor her memory. At one time the cousins were as close as brothers but over time they drifted apart. David went on to get married and have a child and also have a successful career, while Benji lives in a basement and has no motivation in life. 

Culkin won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting  Actor and for good reason. His character Benji is a complex person. He can make you love him and then he can make you hate him. You never know what to expect from him. He can make you laugh and he can make you cry. David is shy and reserve with Eisenberg giving a solid performance. 

The video quality is fantastic here. The colors, the lighting brings a depth to every scene. The cinematography reflects the slower pacing of this film and does not draw attention to itself. 

The audio quality is perfect. The ambient sounds play in the background while the dialogue is front and center and is crystal clear. The beautiful score is almost entirely from the works of 19th century composer Frederic Chopin. 

Bonus Features:

• Beautiful Fate: Making A Real Pain – Take a tour through the heart and history of Poland while going behind the scenes of A Real Pain. Explore the themes of family and connection with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Experience all the humor and humanity that brought this story to life.

Conclusion:

A Real Pain is a truly special dramedy. A rare film that blends both drama and comedy to tell a heartfelt story of two cousins who fully understand one another and at the same time not understand each other at all.

A Real Pain is available on digital now and on Blu-Ray on February 4th.

* The movie was provided for the purpose of review by Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The review is strictly my opinion.*

TRAILER FOR MARVEL ANIMATION’S “YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN” SERIES

 

Disney+ released a brand-new trailer, key art and images for Marvel Animation’s upcoming, original series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” The 10-episode animated series launches one month from today—January 29, 2025—exclusively on Disney+.

 

“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming a hero, with a journey unlike we've ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.

 

The talented voice cast includes Hudson Thames, Colman Domingo, Eugene Byrd, Grace Song, Zeno Robinson, Hugh Dancy and Charlie Cox. The head writer is Jeff Trammell and Mel Zwyer is the supervising director. Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt and Trammell serve as executive producers.