The live-action version of The Little Mermaid has awesome music as expected but the film itself is way too long at 135 minutes. Ariel (Halle Bailey) finally comes to the screen in live-action. The studio might call it a reimagining but they keep the basic gist of the story. Ariel is the adventurous young daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem). Much like the 1989 film, she is a free spirit and always rebelling against the…
"The Little Mermaid: Awesome Music But Too Long"Tag: Disney
A documentary on Howard Ashman should be considered safe but nope, it’s in the list of Disney+ and Hulu titles getting pulled. (Update: Thanks to the swift backlash, Disney+ will not remove Howard.) Flashback to Tribeca 2018. I had just left a P&I screening of Howard, a documentary on the late Oscar-winning lyricist. Without him and Alan Menken, there’s no telling what would have happened with the Walt Disney Animation Studios. The studio was in…
"Disney+, Hulu Pulling Originals, Including Howard Ashman Documentary"
As the WGA Strike enters its third week, EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken will be joining the picket lines for a singalong. Menken posted about the May 18 strike event over the weekend, headlining it SEIZE THE DAY AT DISNEY! Calling All Newsies: grab your caps and vests and join us for an afternoon picket and singalong, Thursday May 18th from 3-5. With special guests! Because when you’ve got a hundred writers singing, who can hear…
"Alan Menken Announces WGA Strike Singalong Outside of Disney Studios"
While Crater means well, the newly released Disney sci-fi adventure film is lacking the movie magic as it makes its arrival on Disney+. I wanted to like this film. An adventure on the moon? What’s not to like?!? With Shawn Levy producing the film, it can’t be all that bad now, can it? What bothers me about the movie is that it doesn’t feel like a Disney theatrical film nor does it even feel as…
"Crater Is Missing the Disney Movie Magic"
Peter Pan & Wendy, now on Disney+, is the latest live-action reimagining of a classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film, 1953’s Peter Pan. Disney reimaginings of animated classics come in two forms: a theatrical release or Disney+. When a film goes straight to Disney+, there are some lesser expectations because it tells me they don’t think it could be a box office hit. Disney has both Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 and The Little…
"Peter Pan & Wendy Elevates Heroines In Live-Action Reimagining"
The Walt Disney Studios announced at CinemaCon 2023 that Chris Pine has joined the cast of Wish, playing King Magnifico. Chris Pine officially kicked off his reign today as King Magnifico in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new musical-comedy Wish, opening in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22. Joining Academy Award-winning actress Ariana DeBose, who voices a young woman named Asha in the film, Pine lends his voice to the ruler of Rosas, a magical kingdom where…
"Chris Pine Joins Cast of Disney Animation’s Wish"
There were no real surprises in the season finale of The Mandalorian although the episode ran well shorter than preferred. Spoilers follow for Chapter 24 of The Mandalorian. There are no mid- or post-credit scenes. While the episode brought the action, there were at least a good ten minutes of credits (including all of the foreign language credits). I thought maybe we’d get a tease at the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn ahead of Ahsoka…
"The Mandalorian: Chapter 24 – The Return"
Chapter 23 heralds the long-awaited return of a certain antagonist in the penultimate episode as The Mandalorian winds down its third season. Spoilers follow for Chapter 23 of The Mandalorian. It was only a matter of time. Grand Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) had to show his face sooner than later. It was either going to be in Chapter 23 or 24. Let’s face it–making his appearance in the season finale would have made no sense.…
"The Mandalorian: Chapter 23 – The Spies"
The animated series had the spotlight during Star Wars Celebration along with a panel celebrating the 15th anniversary of The Clone Wars. YOUNG JEDI ADVENTURES On Saturday, host Krystina Arielle, executive producer James Waugh and showrunner Michael Olsen welcomed fans of all ages to a special screening of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. The screening began with the debut of the trailer, followed by a Q&A with Waugh and Olson. Dee Bradley Baker, the voice…
"Star Wars Celebration 2023: Animated Series Spotlight"
The trailer and key art for the upcoming Ahsoka, premiering this August, were unveiled during Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023. The unveiling for the teaser trailer took place on Friday, with more casting announcements coming on Saturday. One might as well refer to the series as Star Wars Rebels: Season 5. Many of the characters make their transition to live-action. It’s very possible that Zeb could make an appearance since his character is now a…
"Ahsoka Trailer, Key Art Unveiled During Star Wars Celebration"