Tarzan, Hercules, Bedknobs And Broomsticks, Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers, & The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad

A massive Blu-ray release from Walt Disney Studios is coming on August 12, 2014: Tarzan; Hercules; Bedknobs And Broomsticks; Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers; & The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad. All five of these animated films are being released to Blu-ray for the first time.

Which one is your favorite?

• The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad

• Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers

• Tarzan

• Hercules

• Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Which one of these films is your favorite? Which is a must have?

---

Spoiler Free Guardians of the Galaxy Review

We saw a regular showing of Guardians of the Galaxy Saturday afternoon. I've stayed away from most reviews and websites in order not to learn anything that could ruin the film. So, no spoilers here!

The short review: we loved it and left the theater really excited.

The theater was at least 80% full, which was a great sign. I'd always heard that films released in August and February were expected to not do well, so I wondered why this film was being released so late in the summer. Talking to some friends, we agreed that there hadn't been any releases this summer that we were excited about until this film. From the trailers, it looked like it was going to be a light and funny romp with a side-crew, so to speak, of the Marvel/Avengers universe. Chris Pratt's character on Parks and Recreation is a charming bumbler and I assumed his portrayal in Guardians would be similar.

A co-worker and I have been talking about this movie for a while and we both assumed it would be a comedy in the midst of the darker Thor and Captain America films. Sort of like a palate cleanser. I was extremely surprised by the depth of the stories and the development of the characters.

Groot was an amazing character. Probably Vin Diesel's best role since portraying the Iron Giant.

As in the other Marvel films, the special effects were top notch. There wasn't a single moment in this film that wasn't photo-realistic and completely believable. The movie never slowed it's pace and offered great one-liners and dialog between the characters. Although parts could be seen as a little formulaic, it was still an incredible ride that had the audience laughing in all of the right places and glued to their seats for most of the film.

If I have one complaint about the movie, it's that it was simply too dark and most of the space scenes were very dark and seemed almost monotone. A major fight scene was so dark that I had problems keeping up with the action.

Guardians of the Galaxy is as violent as the other Marvel films of late. It's not a bad thing, but it felt like it was marketed more as a comedy and anyone not prepared might be thrown off a bit. 

One thing that surprised my wife and myself has been the high caliber of talent that has shown up in the most recent films. Glenn Close and Robert Redford brought a certain decorum to the films. John Reilly brought a wonderfully comedic role to the screen that could have been a simple throw away part. Of course, I was wondering how Amy Pond, er, Karen Gillan would show up in the movie. A far cry from her role in Doctor Who, Karen showed that she can be a bit more forceful and action-oriented. And a lot more blue.

I'm blue da ba dee da ba die...

We left the theater pretty excited and talking about the next film and how the story line might proceed. The eleven year-old thought it was spectacular. I have to agree. It's definitely worth seeing on the big screen.

But, there's no real need to stay till the end of the credits. Usually, you get a teasing glance at the next film, but this seemed more like a straight comedy bit. Although, there's really no telling!

Review: Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United on Disney Movies Anyhwere

I've never used the Disney Movies Anywhere program that was released earlier this year. We don't own an iPad or Apple TV, so it seemed like it would be more of a hassle hooking up my laptop to the main television when we usually had the Blu-ray release of most films. When I was offered a review code for the new Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United on Disney Movies Anywhere, I decided to give it a try.

Redeeming the code was simple at DisneyMoviesAnywhere.com. Once I logged in, I was asked if I wanted to connect my iTunes account and get a free digital copy of The Incredibles (my favorite Pixar film). I did and I realized that being able to stream from an iOS device might be the easiest way to go, since Disney Movies Anywhere isn't available on the Xbox 360 or the Roku.

The most interesting aspect of the Disney Movies Anywhere was that every movie we received over the past two years had a Disney Rewards card. Most of the recent releases also had a free digital copy that was now stored at Disney Movies Anywhere! We had access to over 30 movies.

Ok, on with the review of Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United!

In Marvel’s “Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United,” Iron Man and Captain America battle to keep the Red Skull and his triggerman, Taskmaster, from unleashing an army of Hydra Brutes on the world! With Iron Man's intellect and Cap's combat training, the two born leaders must learn to work together and appreciate each other's skills in order to save the world from the evil throes of Hydra. All the fun of the Iron Man-Hulk dynamic from the first “Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United,” is matched here with the rapport between Captain America and Iron Man. With surprising twists and a surprise appearance by one of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes, this action packed feature highlights two of the mightiest Avengers as they take down the vicious Red Skull and deadly Taskmaster!

I wasn't a big fan of the first release in the series, Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United, but my eleven year-old was very excited about this, so I moved the laptop to the big TV and hooked it up. It was easy to login and get the movie streaming. 

After viewing the film (it clocks in at over an hour), I was surprised to discover that it was a fairly sophisticated story with good voice acting. The animation was a little choppy when there were close-ups on the characters' faces but the action scenes were very smooth. The film takes place in modern times and could be confusing to those who've only followed the latest cinematic releases. Yes, the Red Skull is in this episode so you have to remind yourself that it's part of it's own universe, so to speak. My wife did have a few questions about continuity until I reminded her that this was a different timeline, so to speak.

But who cares what I thought about the film, really. It's all about my eleven year-old. Put it this way: he's watched it three times this week and would love to see more of them! His two favorite characters are Iron Man and Captain America, so this film is perfect for him. He thought the characters were great and the it was fun to watch the Taskmaster in action. As he put it, "The movie was awesome!"

He thought the very last battle with Captain America in a very special suit was spectacular.

Obviously, if you're a fan of Marvel, especially the Avengers, then this is a great title to add to your collection, except it is only in digital format. If you don't use Disney Movies Anywhere, you can rent it or purchase it from Amazon.

But if you happen to have a super hero freak living in your house with his/her own iPad, iPod or iPhone, then they can enjoy Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United anytime!

Press Release: D23 Celebrates Issue 23!

The latest D23 magazine will be hitting the newsstands soon with their 23rd issue! Take a look at the latest press release from Jeffrey Epstein.

D23: THE OFFICIAL DISNEY FAN CLUB CELEBRATES 23 ISSUES OF DISNEY TWENTY-THREE WITH AN AROUND-THE-WORLD ADVENTURE

READERS WILL JOURNEY TO FRANCE TO EXPERIENCE RATATOUILLE: THE ADVENTURE, JAPAN FOR A SPECIAL TREASURES OF THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES EXHIBITION, AND

SAN FRANSOKYO TO EXPLORE THE NEW UNIVERSE OF BIG HERO 6

D23.com sits down for exclusive interviews with Marvel icon Stan Lee and the creators of Once Upon a Time.

BURBANK, Calif. – JULY 29, 2014 – To celebrate 23 issues of its collectible publication, Disney twenty-three, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club circles the planet to experience Disney’s worlds from Europe, South America, and Asia to the fantastical fictional realms of San Fransokyo and Once Upon a Time’s Enchanted Forest. The cover of the issue features a spectacular photo mosaic with a classic image of Walt and Roy O. Disney with Margie Gay of the Alice Comedies shorts series, courtesy of images of D23 Members from around the globe.

Disney twenty-three’s Fall issue, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23, starts the journey with a visit to France for an in-depth look at how the creative team at Walt Disney Imagineering brought the spectacular world of Ratatouille to life at Disneyland Paris for Ratatouille: The Adventure. Then it’s off to Japan where Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives is touring the country with a dazzling exhibit featuring more than 70 props, costumes, images, and artifacts. In “It’s A Disney World After All,” D23 goes on a non-stop tour from Latin America to the Middle East to look at Disney’s indelible mark on the rich cultures of many nations. And, in true Disney fashion, we visit the stunning and sleek fictional city of San Fransokyo for a look at spectacular concept art that inspired the upcoming Walt Disney Feature Animation release Big Hero 6.

Also included in the Fall issue of Disney twenty-three:

• A rich look into Marvel’s remarkable 75-year history, including a season two preview of the ABC hit Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
• A chilling glimpse at Once Upon a Time’s upcoming Frozen-themed season with the series’ creators
• A dive into the Walt Disney Archives to view rarely seen concept art from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year
• A journey back in time to celebrate 89 amazing Disney milestones from 1989
• Regular columns including A Walk with Walt, D Society, Ask Dave, and our final edition of PHOTOfiles

All D23 Members are invited to visit www.D23.com for additional members-only content, including an in-depth video interview with Stan Lee who sits down to talk about Marvel’s 75-year legacy.

Other features coming to D23.com include:

• A soaring look at Academy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino, who used his initial score as inspiration for the soundtrack to Ratatouille: The Adventure
• More scoop on what’s to come this season on Once Upon a Time
• An extended gallery of concept art from the development of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The publication will begin arriving mid-August.

WYWHW: Sorcery in the Sky Postcard

Wish You Were Here Wednesday: Sorcery in the Sky (ST-2)

An aerial view of the studio entrance at Hollywood BLVD. on special evenings shows Mickey as The Sorcerer's Apprentice ready to dazzle guests with fireworks, music and excitement.

Another great postcard with a view of a very crowded Hollywood BLVD.

Did you ever see Sorcery in the Sky during the first few years of the park?

Marvel’s Iron Man & Captain America Unite to Save the World from Evil on July 29th!

Disney is releasing Marvel’s Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United in digital format (no Blu-ray or DVD will be released). Jeff and I reviewed Marvel's Iron Man & Hulk United last December at the Disney Review at Mice Chat.

Iron Man and Captain America join forces in a new, original animated adventure, "Marvel’s Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United” available only on Digital HD, On-Demand and Disney Movies Anywhere on July 29th. Iron Man and Captain America battle to keep the Red Skull and his triggerman, Taskmaster, from unleashing an army of Hydra Brutes on the world! Enjoy surprising twists and a special appearance by one of your favorite Marvel Super Heroes in this action packed feature featuring the voices of Adrian Pasdar and Roger Craig reprising their roles as Iron Man and Captain America, and Clancy Brown as the villainous Taskmaster.

Have you experienced Disney Movies Anywhere? What do you think about Disney releasing digital-only content?

The Southern Seas and the Ports-O-Call at Walt Disney World

Head on over to Mice Chat and check out my latest article that talks about the Southern Seas and Ports-O-Call, two Walt Disney World cruise ships that really show what the Vacation Kingdom of the World was like in the 1970s.

And yes, if you're wondering why I'm referring to them as cruise ships, chalk it up to nomenclature! They were used specifically for the World Cruise and other cruising activities.

The Southern Seas cruises past Discovery Island!

WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM’S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY Programs, Activities, Screenings, and Special Events

Once again the Walt Disney Family Museum is presenting some amazing events and programs to celebrate the five year anniversary. If you've got the opportunity to visit the WDFM in October, go for it!

THE WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM’S FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

Programs, Activities, Screenings, and Special Events

This coming October, come celebrate our fifth anniversary here at The Walt Disney Family Museum! On October 1, 2009, Diane Disney Miller first welcomed guests to explore the life, work, and legacy of her father Walt Disney: an entertainer, risk-taker, and innovator who helped define 20th-century America. In recognition, we've planned a month full of special events, captivating programming, hands-on activities, after hour parties, and so much more. For more information, a full schedule of events, and tickets, please visit waltdisney.org/anniversary.

SPECIAL EVENTS

OUR FIFTH ANNIVERSARY!

Wednesday, Oct 1 | 10am–8pm (special extended hours)

$10 admission after 6pm

On the anniversary of our opening five years ago, we’ll be extending our hours to 8pm in celebration. Enjoy special programming all day long, in the galleries, and in the Learning Center. All galleries will be open and animated shorts will be featured in the theater. We’ll have something special exclusively for members, too. Beginning at 6pm, enjoy treats from food trucks and half-priced admission.

SPECIAL EVENT | Animate Your Night: Haunted Mansion Halloween

Friday, Oct 24 | 7–10pm

$12 members | $15 non-members

Pirates, ghosts, ghouls, and a New Orleans vibe inhabit the walls of the museum throughout this after-hours party. Celebrate our fifth anniversary in costume and enjoy the final weeks of our special exhibition, Marc Davis: Leading Ladies and Femmes Fatales, featuring a selection of Davis’ famous Haunted Mansion paintings. Creepy crafts and feisty food help conjure good spirits for the Halloween season. Look alive!

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT | Tinker Bell Tea with Mindy Johnson

Saturday, Oct 4 | 10am–3pm

$75 adults, includes book Tinker Bell: An Evolution

$40 children 9 years and under, includes a specially chosen book for younger readers

Meet, greet, and enjoy a lovely day with Mindy Johnson—author of Tinker Bell: An Evolution. This event begins with an intimate presentation and personalized book signing in the theater, followed by tea, lunch, and tasty desserts and conversation with our special guest. After lunch, you’ll be treated to reserved seating for an afternoon showing of Peter Pan.

BOOK SIGNING | Mindy Johnson, Author of Tinker Bell: An Evolution

Saturday, Oct 4 | 3–5pm

Books sold in the museum store. Signing is FREE and open to the public.

Mindy Johnson will be available book signing in our Awards Lobby. Our very special guest has achieved success as an author, historian, educator, musician, songwriter, playwright and much more. She will be signing copies of her critically acclaimed book, Tinker Bell: An Evolution (produced in conjunction with Disney’s Animation Research Library and Disney Editions), which was recently honored with a 2014 Family Choice Award.

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT | Anniversary Open House

Friday, Oct 10 | 6:30–10pm open house reception, 7pm presentation

$35 open house reception only | $45 open house reception & presentation

The museum opens its doors to members and their guests for a special evening celebration of our fifth anniversary. Enjoy the galleries after-hours, musical entertainment, food and drink, and an exclusive video retrospective of the making of the museum. Limited tickets are also available to join Disney historians and museum founding consultants Jeff Kurtti and Paula Sigman Lowery for a special presentation about the history of the museum and working with Diane Disney Miller to pull it all together, followed by a Q&A. Our Walt’s Circle donors and Supporter and Friend members are welcome to enjoy dessert during a private meet and greet with Jeff and Paula in the Learning Center at 8:30pm. Presentation tickets are limited.

LEARNING CENTER OPEN HOUSE
Monday–Sunday, Oct 13–19 | 1–6pm
FREE with special exhibition admission
Join us in the Learning Center to celebrate the art and animation created here over the past five years and try your own hand at some of our favorite activities.

Ron and Diane Miller tour the construction of the Walt Disney Family Museum.

SCREENINGS

FILMS OF THE MONTH

In celebration of our five years, enjoy a new screening in our theater every week in October.

Peter Pan

Oct 1–5 | 1:30 & 4pm

Fly away to Never Land with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and friends for adventures with pirates and a hungry crocodile.

The Best of Mickey Mouse

Oct 6–­12 | 1:30 & 4pm

Enjoy a compilation of shorts featuring America’s favorite mouse and ambassador of The Walt Disney Company.

Donald Duck and Friends

Oct 13–19 | 1:30 & 4pm

This entertaining collection of shorts stars one Disney’s most beloved cartoon characters and his partners in fun.

Hallowscreen!

Oct 20–31 | 1:30 & 4pm

A spoooooky line-up of hair-raising shorts featuring breakthrough animation techniques and some of Walt’s most memorable characters.

DISCUSSIONS

SPOTLIGHT TALKS | The History of The Walt Disney Family Museum

Wednesday - Sunday, Oct 1–5 | 11am, 1 & 3pm
FREE with special exhibition admission
Beginning October 1, 2009, visitors from around the world journeyed to the Presidio of San Francisco to experience the life story of Walt Disney in a new and inspiring way. On the occasion of our fifth anniversary, join our museum educators as they share the fascinating story of how the museum itself came to be.

TALK | The Walt Disney Family Museum: From Dream to Reality

Saturday, Oct 11 | 3pm

$18 members | $20 non-members | $15 youth (ages 17 & under)

During the crucial period of project development for The Walt Disney Family Museum, authors and Disney historians Jeff Kurtti and Paula Sigman Lowery worked closely with museum founder Diane Disney Miller in determining the overall story and content for the museum’s ten galleries. Join these two leading authorities for a talk about the creation of Walt’s museum, their experiences with Diane, and the challenge to bring her dream to life.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Walt’s Circle, Supporter, and Friend level members receive exclusive, early access to purchase tickets for all anniversary events until the public on sale date of Monday, August 4 at 10am. To reserve your tickets today, call 415.345.6829 or email membership@wdfmuseum.org; tickets are not available for purchase at the museum ticket desk until the public on sale date.

Don’t miss out! Join or upgrade your membership at the Friend level or above to secure your tickets now.

Communicore Weekly Cruising, Show Biz and Boatwrights!

http://youtu.be/yLL3snKijzE

Welcome to this week’s Communicore Weekly (the Greatest Online Show™), where we talk about:

• World Cruise - Take a cruise into the past and check out the World Cruise in this week’s Disney History!
• From Showbiz To Your Biz - George and Jeff talk about Disney’s Hollywood Studios: From Show Biz to Your Biz by J. Jeff Kober for the Book of the Week! 
• Boatwrights holds this week's Five Legged Goat!

Download on iTunes here! | http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/communicore-weekly/id496333443
Direct download here! | http://www.bamferproductions.com/communicore/0132-CommunicoreWeekly.mp3

Call The Communicore Weekly Hotline and leave us a message at 424-785-GOAT! That’s 424-785-4628!

Want to wear your love of Communicore Weekly? BUY THE SHIRTS!!! at http://www.communicoreweekly.com

WYWHW: Mickey and Minnie on Flower Street

This postcard from the mid-1990s reads: Mickey & Minnie enjoy the flowers on Main Street, USA in the Magic Kingdom.

Check out my post at Mice Chat for a look at Center Street to find out what happened to West Center Street at the Magic Kingdom.

Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana

I received a review copy of Summer of Yesterday by Gaby Triana (thanks for the heads up, This Happy Place Blog).

So, why am I reviewing a teen summer romance book?

Glad you asked.

Fort Wilderness and time travel.

Need I say more? I'm only a few chapters into it and it's a good read, so far.

From the blurb:

Thanks to a stupid seizure she had a few months earlier, Haley’s stuck going on vacation with her dad and his new family to Disney’s Fort Wilderness instead of enjoying the last session of summer camp back home with her friends. Fort Wilderness holds lots of childhood memories for her father, but surely nothing for Haley. But then a new seizure triggers something she’s never before experienced—time travel—and she ends up in River Country, the campground’s long-abandoned water park, during its heyday. 

The year? 1982. 

And there—with its amusing fashion, “oldies” music, and primitive technology—she runs into familiar faces: teenage Dad and Mom before they’d even met. Somehow, Haley must find her way back to the twenty-first century before her present-day parents anguish over her disappearance, a difficult feat now that she’s met Jason, one of the park’s summer residents and employees, who takes the strangely dressed stowaway under his wing.

Seizures aside, Haley’s used to controlling her life, and she has no idea how to deal with this dilemma. How can she be falling for a boy whose future she can’t share?

The full review will be coming to Mice Chat and Communicore Weekly (the Greatest Online Show™).

Guide to the Magic for Kids by Tim Foster

I received a review copy of Tim Foster's Guide to the Magic and I'm finally cracking the spine, so to speak.

The book is really well-laid out and looks like a fantastic guidebook for young children and tweens to use before, during and after their Walt Disney World vacation.

A full review is coming soon!