“Help me Spiderman!” yells Jack Sparrow.
Posted on | January 4, 2010 | 3 Comments
It looks like Disney is out to gain as much supernatural abilities as possible to start off the new year! Now that its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment has been officially approved, Disney has now worked out partnering deals with the comic legend himself, Stan Lee. The facts: Disney has paid 2.5 million for a 10 percent share in Lee’s company, Pow! Entertainment. This new deal gives Disney expanded rights to consulting services and creative output from Lee’s company.
So, I know what you’re thinking. “Disney is just wanting to own everything…blah blah…” But stop and think about this for a second. Sure, Disney could throw around money and buy everything, maybe… but I for one think this is a pretty cool move for Disney. Why? I’m a superhero nerd! Disney rocks! If you put the two together then that makes for a pretty awesome combination. We know that Disney’s main goal with this is to bring in more young boy fan bases, much like they have with the young ladies, and I’m not a old boy and I’m already stoked. Basically, it seems like a smart move to me.
Consider riding Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom. You’re sailing throw the port and the town is ablaze! In your fright for the city and its inhabitants you feel a cool chill, and suddenly it starts to rain. You look up and see Storm providing a means to put of the flames. Good ole Spidey then swings down and catches a young boy who falls off the bridge as you go under it… Get the picture? On a serious note, I don’t want to change the ride, it’s great the way it is, but you have to admit… that would be cool.
Disney Releases of 2009 & Coming Soon in 2010!
Posted on | December 26, 2009 | No Comments
Now that 2009 is getting close to coming to an end, it would not hurt to take a few minutes to look back at some of the biggest Disney motion picture releases of the past 365 days. It turned out to be a pretty good year for Disney at the box office, and I am quite sure it will be the same in the new year. Also, while we’re at it, we may as well take a look at things to come for the year 2010.
The best release of the year, in my honest opinion, was Disney/Pixar’s Up. A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young, adventure spirited girl named Ellie. As kids they both dream of going to a lost land in South America and Carl promises young Ellie that it will happen. After many years of being happily married, Ellie dies and Carl remembers the promise he made to her. After hitting a construction worker and being condemned as a nuisance to the community he is forced to go to a retirement home. Before they can take him, he and his house fly away but with an unexpected stowaway aboard; an eight year old boy named Russell, who is trying to get an assisting the elderly badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain, and a rare bird named Kevin. I went to the theaters with my wife to see this movie and the both of us absolutely loved it. Disney and Pixar never fail to deliver on movies with a great story, great characters, and beautiful animation.
G-Force also topped the box office charts for Disney during its opening weekend. With a cast of A-list celebrity voices, and secret agent guinea pigs, it was destined to be a big hit with families all over the country. Following suit in being the number one contender at the box office was the Christmas classic remake, A Christmas Carol. My wife and I checked this movies out in theaters as well, and experienced the awesomeness of it in 3-D. It was really a great movie and stayed very true to the actual story and the darkness that surrounds it. My review for this movie can be read here.
Along with Disney’s A Christmas Carol, a few other big name movies came out at the end of the year. Old Dogs, starring John Travolta and Robin Williams. The movie, which is about two friends and business partners find their lives turned upside down when strange circumstances lead to them being placed in the care of 7-year-old twins, was released in late November. And finally, wrapping up the big releases of 2009 was Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. This movie marked the addition of a new Princess to the cast of the ever-popular Disney Princess’. Released in early December, it is a fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again. This movie, like many of the previous releases, was a box office winner.
The year 2010 looks to be a great for movie releases as well. My wife and I are extremely excited about Disney’s Oceans. Coming to theaters April 22, 2010, it is presented by Disneynature, which is the studio that brought us the record-breaking film, Earth. Tim Burton’s take on the Disney classic Alice in Wonderland is already generating quite a bit of hype for its beautiful artistry and its A-list cast. The trailer, and more information about the movie, can be seen here. Most likely to be the hit of 2010 is the third installment to the Toy Story saga, Toy Story 3. Bringing back its A-list voice cast, Buzz and Woody are out to help their toy friends escape a not-so-good fate when Andy goes away to college. This movie is set to release June 18, 2010.
Other highly notable movies to hit theaters in 2010 include Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, The Last Song, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. All of these movies are either a part of a very successful franchise and/or contain money generating actors and actresses and will definitely be huge hits at the box office.
These are really only a few of the bigger things to come for the upcoming year. It looks like it will definitely be a great year for Disney movies, and I can’t wait to check most of them out!
Tags: Alice in Wonderland > Disney > Movies > Oceans > Old Dogs > Prince of Persia > Princess and the Frog > Toy Story 3 > Up
Versus: Bolt vs A Bug’s Life
Posted on | December 22, 2009 | 3 Comments
For a while I have been thinking of a fun little category to add to this blog to give the audience more of a way to get involved, and the idea of friendly competition popped up! Therefore, I have decided to start a versus category where everyone in the Disney audience can throw their opinions out in deciding which of what is better! Normally the versus will be between Disney movies and characters, but I may throw some resorts, parks, and attractions in the mix. Lifeiskuku.com’s first versus match starts off with two animated hits, Bolt and A Bug’s Life.
The first movie contender is Disney’s Bolt. Released November 21, 2008, the movie stars the voices from Miley Cyrus, John Travolta, Dan Fogelman, Ronn Moss, and Randy Savage, and is Disney’s 48th animated movie. Bolt tells the story a dog who plays a heroic dog in a hit TV show and has some trouble recognizing that he doesn’t even have superpowers. This becomes something of a hindrance when he is accidentally shipped from Hollywood to New York City. From there he has to make his way home with the help of a manky old cat and an overweight hamster in a plastic ball. The trailer of the movie can be seen below:
The second contender in this match up is Disney’s A Bug’s Life. Released on November 25, 1998, the movie is voice casted by Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Hayden Panettiere, John Ratzenberger, Brad Garret, and Bonnie Hunt. Every year, a bunch of grasshoppers come to the anthill and eat what the ants have gathered for them. One day in spring, when the offering’s preparation has just been finished, Flik accidentally drops the whole offered seeds into the river. The grasshoppers come and give the ants a second chance to collect food until fall. Flik sets off to find bugs that are willing to fight the grasshoppers and, due to a double misinterpretation, returns with a circus crew, giving everybody new hope. When the misunderstanding finally gets cleared out, there is only little time left for a new plan, which has to work… The trailer for the movie can be seen below:
And there we have it, our first two contenders in lifeiskuku.com’s Versus! Feel free to throw your opinions out there and support which movie you think is better!
Last Minute Christmas Gifts
Posted on | December 17, 2009 | No Comments
So, I’m looking through my calender, not really paying attention to exactly how close Christmas is, when I realize that it’s next week! For me personally, that’s great because I’m just such a huge fan of the Christmas holiday, but for those people who have not started shopping yet, it may soon become a headache. Luckily, my wife and I have already knocked out most of our shopping, so I think we’re going to end up alright, but, for those of you who are lagging, and happen to have a Disney fan or two on the list, here are a few things that I have found that would be great gifts!
With the release of The Princess and the Frog comes a easy, simple, and not too expensive gift idea. Head to your local movie theater, or the one that the recipient goes to, and purchase tickets and/or a movie gift card. If you do the card, why not add a few extra bucks to cover the cost of a drink and popcorn? This would make a great gift, especially for the young princess of the family!
If you know someone who as a Nintendo Wii, and enjoys the Disney Channel, and singers like Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers, there is a game out called Disney Sing It: Pop Hits. It’s not too expensive, and it can normally be found at Wal-Mart or places like GameStop.
Disney recently released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on BluRay and DVD. This would definitely make a great gift for any Disney fan, especially for something to go into the movie collection. It would also be a good idea to grab for that fan in the family just to make sure they have it before it goes into the Disney vault.
Lastly, for all the board game lovers, Monopoly Disney Edition would make a great present. It, again, is not expensive, and is something that can provide hours of enjoyment for a very long time.
And there you have it, just a few simple ideas that are sure to please!
Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”
Posted on | December 16, 2009 | No Comments
Over the weekend my wife and I went to see Disney’s “A Christmas Carol,” and we all know one of the best parts of going to see a movie are the trailers. Of course, it being a Disney movie, we got to see the trailer for Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” For those of you who do not know much about it, it’s a real life remake of the animated movie, but with Mr. Burton taking it over, it’s probably going to be quite strange. Johnny Depp plays the role of the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter plays the role of the Red Queen. These two teamed up together in Sweeney Todd, which was also directed by Tim Burton.
Here is a look at one of the trailer’s for those who have yet to see one.
The movie is scheduled to release March 5, 2010.
“A Christmas Carol” Review
Posted on | December 12, 2009 | No Comments
It took a few weeks, but I finally went to see Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” last night. It was absolutely freezing outside, so it almost made sense that this was the movie that should have been watched in the first place. Anyway, going into the movie I knew it was not going to be a comedy from reviews and opinions that I had read since the movie’s release, so I went in with the mindset that it would be more like the original book, and it is indeed very dark and gloomy. It has moments that are pretty frightening and made even myself jump a little.
I definitely want to start off by suggesting that I would not take young kids to see the movie. It, of course, is set in a dark atmosphere and contains many visuals and circumstances relating to death. Having gotten that out of the way, I would recommend anyone else to go and check it out. Do as I did and don’t go into it thinking it’s going to be a comedy. There may be a few funny parts here and there, but it is truly a serious story.
In my opinion, Jim Carrey does a great job covering the voices of Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Past, and the Ghost of Christmas Present. The Ghost of Christmas’ Yet to Come doesn’t speak in the movie, but the journey with him is quite possibly the most frightening one. The visuals are really absolutely amazing. If you don’t want to go for the story, I would definitely go for the visuals. I saw the movie in 3-D, and of course I would recommend that as well. It really draws you into the movie as you pull for Scrooge to change his ways. If you are at all familiar with the story, you know that it is a good one, so on that note it’s worth going to see as well.
Overall I was very pleased with the movie and am really glad that I went to see it in theatres before it left them. I’m not sure seeing the movie at home in 3-D would have the same effect. Honestly, it does make a good Christmas to see for the time of year as well. It touches on one of the issues that Christmas is truly about, so in that I do recommend it!
The New lifeiskuku.com Layout
Posted on | December 10, 2009 | 1 Comment
Hey guys, sorry the site was down for a little while but I was implementing a new set up for the site. I have made it more interactive that way anyone who has wanted to can start commenting and finding information so much more easier. Thanks for all your patience and I hope you like the new set up.
Annie Award Nominations for Disney
Posted on | December 10, 2009 | No Comments
It looks as though Walt Disney Studios has made a splash in regards to nominations for the 37th annual Annie Awards. Announcements came earlier this morning for numerous nominations, including a whooping eight for Princess and the Frog, and nine for the ABC TV special Prep and Landing.
Presented by the International Animated Film Society, the Annie Awards honor animated features, television, commercials, and other achievements in the field of animation.
Going back to its animation roots, Disney secures several nominations for its new animated feature Princess and the Frog, including best animated feature, animated effects, character animation, production design, and voice acting. Other notable nominations include Mickey Mouse Clubhouse< for best animated children’s television show and Pete Doctor (Up) for best direction in a feature. Bob Peterson and Tom McCarthy (Up) are also nominated for best writing in a feature production.
The winners will be announced Feb. 6 at a ceremony at Royce Hall at UCLA.
A Look Inside the Animal Kingdom Lodge
Posted on | December 10, 2009 | No Comments
To start this off bluntly, The Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the best themed resorts that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer, hands down. Bringing Africa to us, this resort provides breathtaking adventure around every turn! Set up as a savanna lodge, visitors can experience the allure of an African adventure that will truly create some amazing memories.
I first stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in May, 2008. My wife and I just got married and we spent our honeymoon at Disney. On a side note, going to Disney for your honeymoon and anniversary is such a great idea. My wife and I felt like we were welcomed and celebrated everywhere we went. Up until this point I had stayed at a couple of resorts at Disney World when I was younger, but I was extremely excited about this one because it was going to be new to me, and my wife. My wife and I live, and got married in South Carolina, so driving to Disney World was an easy trip, and having driven, I do not think I would have had it any other way. There was just something about driving up to the Animal Kingdom Lodge sign and feeling the rush of excitement. If we thought that was something, imagine how excited we were when we pulled up to the resort itself. From the outside, it was absolutely amazing. Immediately we were sucked into the theme of the resort. We never knew the “real world” existed until we had to leave.
One of the best things the Animal Kingdom Lodge provides for its visitors is a lobby that so extremely amazing that you really do not know how to handle the sight of it. There were several times that my wife and I just stayed there a while to possibly plan out the day, or even just to recollect the day. To me, however, there is a best time of day to visit the lobby. At day, it’s beautiful, but at night, it is even more so. The lighting is amazing. It sets such a comfortable tone that you’ll never want to leave. Towards the back of the lobby is a gigantic glass wall that provides a glimpse into the African environment outside.
During the day is a great time to explore the outskirts of the resort. There are a vast number of areas to view many of the animals that live at the resort. Most of the key places to do so provide a cast member who is present to answer any questions that you may have regarding the wildlife. There is also an amazing pool which has a water slide and a couple of Jacuzzis around it. Close to the pool area is the Uzima Savanna where you’ll see flamingos bathing in a pool of their own. There is also a pretty cool day bar by the pool as well. Disney is always good at creating environments to appeal to all age groups.
The nightlife at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is as fun of an experience as the day life. The lighting is kept to a minimum, of course, and this is done so to not interrupt the natural cycles of the wildlife outside. As I noted, the lobby at this time is truly remarkable. Directly next to the lobby is the Victoria Falls Lounge. It’s most likely one of the most serene and intimate of all the lounges or bars at the Walt Disney World Resort. Below the lounge is “Boma, ‘Flavors of Africa.” Here you will find an African style buffet with many of the regions best dishes. My wife and I didn’t get a chance to eat at “Boma” but we did have reservations at ‘Jiko, ‘The Cooking Place.” We very much enjoyed our experience at “Jiko.” The tone was extremely peaceful and had a great view of a stone-lined pond and creek right outside the window. The food was amazing. My wife had the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon, which was delicious, and I had the Grilled Swordfish. It was honestly the best thing I have ever eaten. Upon recently looking over the “Jiko” menu, it looks like it may be a seasonal dish. For those who get the dining plan when visiting Disney World, I would highly recommend making reservations here.
The Zawadi Marketplace gift shop, which is adjacent to the lobby, is another great place to stop, day or night. It has a wide variety of African art along with the usual Disney World and Animal Kingdom Lodge souvenirs. We actually found ourselves visiting the shop quite frequently.
The rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are very comfortable and appealing and are, of course, themed like the rest of the resort with the feel of African style. My wife and I had views of the animals both times that we visited, which was another great added element. I would say that it is not necessary to book a room with a view because you may not be on the room long enough to enjoy it, but it is very neat to have.
In closing, I know this was a pretty lengthy read, but a lot had to be said. My wife and I spent our honeymoon and first year wedding anniversary at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and it is really a great place to stay. To be honest, anything that I have said about it doesn’t give it justice. Next time your staying at Disney World and you’re not staying at the lodge, take an hour or two to check it out. It’s a wonderful place to take pictures, eat, and experience the allure of the African savanna!
My Disney Blog and its First Month
Posted on | December 10, 2009 | No Comments
Well, it’s been a little over a month since I started my Disney blog site, and from the looks of it, I think that I’ve made a great choice by finally deciding to get into it. My wife knows I’m all about Disney, and she also knows that I have been wanting to start blogging for quite some time, so the pieces fit perfectly. To be honest, I do have some high hopes for my site, and I am sure that anything can happen, especially when you blog about something like Disney!
Before I actually started this blog I had been really big into Facebook and Twitter. Social media is an extremely addicting thing to get in to, and once you do, it’s very, very fun. I was reading a friend’s blog earlier this month at MyDisneyBlog.com and he discussed when he first got into Twitter. What he says about it is absolutely true. He is now swarmed with friends and could easily break 10,000 tweets any minute now. That’s the awesomeness of the internet. It’s easy to connect with people who have the same interests as you do. I follow his blog and tweets because we share a huge interest. It’s reasons like that why finally buckling down and starting my own web site was a great idea.
I talked to my wife about the idea of starting a blog site and she never, from the moment I mentioned it, had a single problem with it. She supports me in everything I do, so that itself was a green light. She knows my mind is all kinds of creative and fantastical that when I get an urge to be expressive, she wants me to go for it. It did, however, take me a good amount of planning time to figure out what I wanted to base my site on. I have quite a bit of interests, but when it came down to it, there was only one that stuck out. That’s when I decided it had to be a Disney oriented blog. For those of you who don’t really know me, I’m an uber Disney fanatic; all you have to do is ask my wife. She enjoys Disney as well, but if you ask her about me she’ll probably roll her eyes at you…jokingly of course!
So, after all of that, this is where I am at now. It’s been a little over a month, and I’m happy with the progress my site has made. It will still grow, and become more appealing, but even so, I’m enjoying every minute of it. I’ve started a separate Twitter for it so I can build up a giant friend base. I use this source to keep fans easily updated with cool Disney links and videos. I also use it to keep up with all of my Disney friends. Now, to finish things up, it’s been a fun first month and I want to thank everyone who stops by to check out my site. I hope you keep coming back and you even tell your friends about it. Thanks again, and grab shell dude!
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