Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
DCA gets a facelift and SUPER Indiana Jones Adventure
Disney's California Adventure (DCA) is finally going to get its $1.2 BILLION makeover, starting in 2008. Can you imagine, not even ten years old and already getting a facelift? (If you've been there, though, you know it's in dire need.) And before the decade is through, Disneyland's ailing Tomorrowland and several other attractions will also be getting some renovations. The rumor is that in addition to a Star Tours 2.0 (featuring new destinations!), Lucasfilm and Disney are working together on creating a bigger, better Indiana Jones Adventure ride over in Adventureland. By the looks of it, they're trying to recapture the spirit of what the original attraction was intended to be - TWO rides intersecting with each other AND the existing Jungle Cruise.
Read about all the plans on MiceAge.
There's an interesting article from last year detailing what the original plans for the Indy ride were, complete with artwork and site plans showing how the two Indy rides and the Jungle Cruise would have intertwined.
Behold: what Indy might look like at Disneyland one day.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Toothepaste For Dinner - Go read some webcomics!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Ghostbusters score
This material was unavailable for many years until Varese Sarabande released the full score as part of their "club" collection (which just means there's a limited run of 3,000 produced). There was a bootleg release in 1998, but they're hard to come by as well. Unfortunately, I've only recently been reaching out to other score junkies on the Internet and didn't know about this release until long after the disc was sold out (which was probably a matter if weeks.) Now if you want the score, it means forking over $50 bucks on ebay.
The first time I listened to these tracks I was sort of underwhelmed, but it really grows on you. So much of Elmer Bernstein's original cues are cut up or altogether replaced in the final cut of the film that the score at times felt like it went with an inferior movie. In a way, it is a portentious reminder what a turkey this film could have turned out to be. That's not a knock at all against Bernstein's score or the material, which was executed impeccably. Tracks like the beginning of #21 will instantly bring to mind exact moments in the movie for any GB junkie.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Go See It - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix!
I'm making this brief because I'm working on something else today.
- Possibly the BEST Potter flick yet.
- These movies aren't meant to be stand-alone anymore; meant to capitalize on Pottermania, which likely just passed its all-time peak in the last week with the release of Deathy Hallows - Great for those familiar with the book as well as the overarching story of Potter vs. Voldemort
- effects look great, though Grawp still cartoonish- but at least he wasn't annoying
- Imelda Staunton is Psychotic - awesome
-Not enough Snape - never is
- Dumbledore shines, esp when Ministry comes to arrest him and at the Wizard Duel with Voldemort
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Cereal - The Staple of Childhood
"Cereal???" you say. Yes, there's all kinds of interesting things going on continuously in the world of everyone's favorite breakfast treat. Did you know that the big cereal makers are shrinking the size of their packaging to reduce costs? Have you seen these new "cereal straws" popping up in your grocery store? Ever tried one? Caffeinated cereal? It could be happening.
AND, check this out...
There's an emerging food chain called Cereality. Situated around what seem to be college towns in mid-size markets, this cafe specializes in hot and cold cereals, cereal bars, and smoothies.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Hasbro's Indy IV toys at San Diego Comic Con
Check'em out!
There's a close up of the "mini heroes" 2-packs here, some of which weren't in the Comic Con display. Interestingly, the Marion Ravenwood mini figure isn't in any of these sets.
Another look at the five 3 3/4 inch figures Hasbro will have. I hope they make a melting-face Toht, too!