Why I Am Now Pumped for Avengers 2 *Spoilery*

Say it with me everyone: Hulkbuster armor.

HULKBUSTER ARMOR!!!!!!!!

As seen last night on the Marvel: Building a Universe special, concept art for the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron was shown depicting Hulk battling Iron Man.  Normally that wouldn't be a fair fight (Hulk eat metal man for breakfast), but Tony seems to have come prepared with 12 foot tall armor designed to fight the green goliath!  Early, un-CGIed footage was also shown of the epic battle taking place in Johannesburg and it involved a semi- truck getting tossed around like a little doll.

Ugh, I can't wait!  I guess Captain America will have to hold me over.

Want some more info? http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/9-things-learned-marvel-studios-assembling-universe-021719525.html

The Incredibles 2: Initial Reaction

It's about time!!!!

Bob Iger announced today that Disney/Pixar will be making a sequel to their 2004 hit The Incredibles and Brad Bird, who directed the original, is writing the script.  

I'm psyched.  The Incredibles, to me, was a perfect superhero movie full of intrigue and fun, but, unlike a lot of the superhero flicks out there today, didn't take itself too seriously.  An homage to the golden and silver age of comic books, the original weaved Bond-esque gadgetry and style with the heart you would expect from a Disney/Pixar film to create a highly entertaining film.

The original also left the door wide open for sequels.  Now that Brad Bird sees some light at the end of the Tomorrowland tunnel, hopefully he can begin focusing on the Incredibles again and produce another classic.

Iger also announced Cars 3 (ho hum) and said that he can't say anything about the new Star Wars.

Here's a link to an articles about his speech to investors in Oregon:

http://www.newsarama.com/20602-disney-announces-incredibles-2-confirms-star-wars-episode-vii-details.html

King of The World: Disney's Hollywood Studios pt. 2

So, let's pick up where we left off, shall we?  Last time we had scrapped the Backlot Tour in order to make room for an expanded Pixar Place.

Next door to that is the Lights! Motor! Action! stunt show.  I feel like that type of stunt show is pretty cool, but without the tour right there, the theming would need to be adjusted.  But, what would you chane it to, you ask?  "The Great Gonzo's Magnificent Exploding Stunt Spectacular!"  With the rebirth of the Muppets, it is time to expand their presence in the parks.  The Streets of America would be a great place to convert into 'The Muppet Studios.'  

Street building could be designed to show their impact, 'Muppet-Vision' could be updated a bit, there is a ton of potential for a Muppets themed area.  My favorite idea would be to convert Mama Melrose's into The Shmorgishborgi, a restaurant run by the famous Swedish Chef.  Like the Monsters, Inc roller coaster, this isn't an original idea, but it is brilliant and Disney should absolutely do it! In my vision, you would be able to see into the 'kitchen' which is manned by various Muppets and like anything they touch, hi jinx ensue.  How much fun would this be for the kids--or adults, even?

The next big theming change I would do would be to convert much of Echo Lake into LucasLand.  I mean, this isn't a stretch as a good chunk of the area is taken up by Star Tours and the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and their various shops and snack kiosks.

However, I would make a slight change and expand a bit by turning what used to be the Drew Carey Sounds Dangerous show into Skywalker Sound.  It would be the same basic concept, just with a Lucas Film focus.

Next, I would move the American Idol Experience.  I wouldn't get rid of it, just move it to another area, as you will see in a minute.  I would use that building to put on some kind of new live show about the making of a TV talk show or sitcom.  It would be improved with a looses script and feature some audience interaction.

Also, I would move the Disney Junior Play and Dine over the that new area we created for restaurants in Animation Courtyard.

I would leave Hollywood Boulevard as it is (excluding the changes to the Great Movie Ride), and head toward Sunset Boulevard.  Sunset seems to me to be a bit if a catch-all for anything that doesn't really fit any other theming, but I also feel that one or two changes could fix that quickly.  

First, I would remove Beauty and the Beast and put Anerican Idol into that theatre.  Then, I would alter Rockin' Roller Coaster and instead theme it around American Bandstand.  Lastly, I would replace Fantasmic with a modified version of the World of Color show from Disneyland.  With those three changes, this area becomes Television Magic!

And just like that, Disney's Hollywood Studios becomes a park where a guest can enjoy the magic of Hollywood while exploring the various studios Disney owns.  Guests can see action and technology in LucasLand, irreverent comedy in Muppets Studios, all ages fun in Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard, and thrills in the Television magic area.  The park would continue to display the magic of Hollywood, while showcasing the company's history and various film studios.

Well, what do you think?  I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback, so please, leave a comment below!

Steamboat Willie: A Review

One thing I love to do is write movie reviews.  They are fun and--hopefully--helpful.  As this blog is about all things Disney, I am going to have ample opportunity to do reviews of all kinds of movies; everything from modern films to classics, and even shorts are on the table.  

I thought it would be appropriate to start off by review one of Disney's oldest classics: Steamboat Willie.  I'm going to stick a link in here for the YouTube video of the short that Disney has provided, that way you can have a point if reference  for what I'm going to say.

http://youtu.be/BBgghnQF6E4

Our friend Mickey Mouse made his big screen debut (alongside his lady-friend Minnie Mouse) in Walt Disney and Ub Iwerk's classic short.  Historically, Steamboat Willie has to be considered one of, if not the, most important animated films of all-time.  Between it's experimentation with sound and music, and the character introductions, Willie's significance is solidly cemented.

The first time I watched Steamboat Willie, one thing became eminently clear to me: this could never have been made today.  Oi, between the violence to animals and the bit about chewing tobacco, the censors would have had fits!  I mean Mickey throws a bucket onto the head of a bird, tortures various animals to make "music," and concludes it all by pelting the bird again, this time with a potato.  

On top of the violence, there was the tobacco.  Certainly, in today's day and age, this is a major no-no.  However, Steamboat Willie wasn't made in today's day in age, but rather in an era where tobacco was commonplace, an everyday sight. The is no denying that Pete's bit with the tobacco was very funny.  We've all done something like that before.

In general, Steamboat Willie is pretty funny and the physical comedy holds up to the modern viewing.  I think people should check this out not only for the entertainment value, but also for the little slice of history that it represents.  Mickey Mouse--and Walt Disney, for that matter-- has become such a cultural icon, it's fun to go back and see where it all began.

I recommend everyone watch Steamboat Willie, if only once to appreciate the first step on Disney's path to becoming the Goliath it is today.

King of The World: Disney's Hollywood Studios pt. 1

Welcome to my first REAL entry and the introduction if my first type of segment: King of The World.  In my King of The World segments, I will discuss how I might change things at Walt Disney World if I were in a position to do so.  These are pie-in-the-sky, unlimited funds ideas which I know would never happen, but are fun to think about.

So, I figured, if I am going to explore a fantasy idea at Disney World, I might as well be super ambitious, right?  With that in mind, I am going to explain how I would shuffle and reorganize Disney's Hollywood Studios.

I was looking over a map of the Studios today and one thing stuck out to me: how disorganized it is.  Originally the park was essentially supposed to be themed like the Hollywood that never was, yet always will be.  Disney used famous landmarks and architectural techniques in order to evoke the familiar feel of the old Hollywood we all know from its portrayal in films such as 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.  Over time, though, various things have changed and been added which take away from that theming, things like the The Rockin' Roller Coaster and the American Idol Experience.  

HOWEVER, I think I can solve these theming issues.  What I would do is shift the theme from a general Hollywood exploration toward a more Disney-centric exploration.  We can still keep the focus on Hollywood entertainment, but look at it through a Disney-focused lens. Yes, some things will need to be closed and others would need to move, but, hey, that's okay.

Let's start right on Hollywood Boulevard. First and foremost I would get rid of the hat.  It's awkward and--after my planning--won't be necessary, for, you see, I would redo the entrance to the Chinese Theatre and change it to the Carthay Circle Theatre.  In addition, I would change the Great Movie Ride.  Instead of it being an exploration of films throughout the years, I would make it a boat ride which explores Mickey Mouse's history in cartoon.  I think this would be a nice centerpiece to the idea that Mickey Mouse is truly the heart of Disney's film studios and has been from day one. And it would tie-in to Disney's first animated feature, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' which premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in 1937.

Turning to the right one can now head down Mickey Avenue which leads toward Pixar Place and Animation Courtyard.  Above Mickey Avenue I would place a sign which indicates that one is entering the World of Animation which would encompass both Pixar Place and the Animation Courtyard.  I would remove The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and put in a new film of some kind, something akin the Get a Horse which explores both classic, drawn animation and newer, computer-based technologies.  

I would also rearrange the current Carthay Circle Theatre area on Sunset Boulevard by initially tearing down that CCT in order to allow some dining and shopping options in Animation Courtyard.

Heading back toward Pixar Place, I can tell you, I want to expand!  Pixar is huge and needs more to do than just Toy Story Mania.  Where do I want to expand to, you ask?  Well, as if I haven't committed enough heresy by saying I'd get rid of the Great Movie Ride, I will really cap it off by saying I'd get rid of the Backlot Tour.  There is a lot of space back there and in my opinion, it could be put to better use, starting with a Monsters, Inc roller coaster.  Not an original idea, I know, but a good one.  

Also, I would include a ride though show about how a Pixar short film is made.  This will really tie in the idea that Pixar is a film studio and bring the whole area back to the core theme of this being one of Disney's Hollywood studios.

Finally, I would move Pizza Planet over to Pixar Place because, well, it's a Pixar thing and would fit perfectly with the area's theming.

Well, I think that's a good start.  What do you think?  Plead, if you have any ideas or opinions, please leave a comment below.  Keep an eye out for part two coming soon!

Notes to Walt

Hello and welcome to my new blog 'Notes to Walt'!

In my blog I will explore my love of all things Disney.  The blog will feature movie reviews, book reviews, theme park discussions, and general opining on whatever Disney-related things scurry across my mind.

I look forward to any feedback you have and wish to share.

Thanks and have a great day!
Sam