Disney has adapted its theme park attractions into movies several times, and with varying degrees of success. Everyone remembers "Pirates of the Caribbean," but the "Country Bears" movie from 2002 left a significantly smaller cultural footprint. Same with "The Haunted Mansion," the Eddie Murphy comedy from 2003. Now Disney is coming back for a second bite at the apple with the slightly differently titled "Haunted Mansion," written by Katie Dippold ("Parks and Recreation") and directed by Justin Simien ("Dear White People"), in an attempt to capitalize on the familiarity of the brand while capturing what makes that attraction so special.
But what exactly does make that Disney staple so special? If you polled theme park fans, none of them would blink if you called it the greatest theme park ride of all time. And if you asked Disney Imagineers -- the folks who actually design and build Disney theme park attractions -- why it's so special,...
But what exactly does make that Disney staple so special? If you polled theme park fans, none of them would blink if you called it the greatest theme park ride of all time. And if you asked Disney Imagineers -- the folks who actually design and build Disney theme park attractions -- why it's so special,...
- 7/27/2023
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Join Joe Friday and Frank Smith as they make a case against the rotten gangland crooks that moiderized Dub Taylor with a shotgun, point blank! See detectives loiter about while smart remarks and Big music stings provide the excitement! The big-screen version of the hit TV show has a surfeit of guest crooks, unhappy women, and a script that wants to grant cops the right to harass and wiretap whoever they wish without restraint. Jack Webb’s ‘interesting’ ideas of script, performance and direction are really… interesting. The Joe Friday-fest comes with an informative commentary by Toby Roan, laying down plenty of Dragnet and Jack Webb history I didn’t know, not ‘just the facts.’
Dragnet
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1954 / Color / 1:75 widescreen + 1:37 unmatted / 88 min. / Street Date November 17, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Richard Boone, Ann Robinson, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, Victor Perrin, Dub Taylor,...
Dragnet
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1954 / Color / 1:75 widescreen + 1:37 unmatted / 88 min. / Street Date November 17, 2020 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Richard Boone, Ann Robinson, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, Victor Perrin, Dub Taylor,...
- 11/7/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Hidden behind the membership-only barrier of The Disney Movie Club is a long-delayed, long-missed key feature from The Mouse, Walt’s masterful super-production of the timeless Jules Verne classic. Despite the funny songs and an annoyingly ‘ork-ork’-ing sea lion, the lavishly filmed show embraces the dark side of Verne’s vision — Captain Nemo is nothing less than an anti-Colonial terrorist, waging a one-submarine war against international warmongers. With the commanding James Mason in the role, the film’s furious politics are as impressive as the to-die-for art direction: this Disney family attraction has us rooting for the terrorist and against the Imperialist European powers.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Blu-ray
The Disney Movie Club
1954 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 127 min. / Anniversary Edition / Street Date June 18, 2019 / Disney Movie Club exclusive.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre, Robert J. Wilke, Ted de Corsia, Carleton Young.
Cinematography: Franz Planer
Film Editor: Elmo Williams...
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Blu-ray
The Disney Movie Club
1954 / Color / 2:55 widescreen / 127 min. / Anniversary Edition / Street Date June 18, 2019 / Disney Movie Club exclusive.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre, Robert J. Wilke, Ted de Corsia, Carleton Young.
Cinematography: Franz Planer
Film Editor: Elmo Williams...
- 7/2/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
As far as beloved children’s movies go, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory is basically bulletproof. Not even Johnny Depp, or his assortment of interesting hats, could taint the talents of Gene Wilder, or the visual dazzle of Harper Goff’s legendary set designs, for long. But, then, Depp and Tim Burton didn’t have the inexplicable staying power of America’s longest-lasting cat-and-mouse cartoon duo on their side.
Cue the trailer for Tom And Jerry: Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, a new Warner Bros. direct-to-video release that dares to suppose: What if Tom and Jerry had also been in the factory with Charlie Bucket, having adventures, shedding constantly, and shitting in the chocolate river? (That part’s not shown, but we’re pretty sure murine Oompa-Loompas don’t pass health code muster.)
The movie isn’t just a treat for America’s last remaining Tom & Jerry ...
Cue the trailer for Tom And Jerry: Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, a new Warner Bros. direct-to-video release that dares to suppose: What if Tom and Jerry had also been in the factory with Charlie Bucket, having adventures, shedding constantly, and shitting in the chocolate river? (That part’s not shown, but we’re pretty sure murine Oompa-Loompas don’t pass health code muster.)
The movie isn’t just a treat for America’s last remaining Tom & Jerry ...
- 4/19/2017
- by William Hughes
- avclub.com
Richard Fleischer's Viking saga is a great star showcase: for the grinning one-eyed Kirk Douglas, sullen one-handed Tony Curtis and the heavy-breathing, two-breasted Janet Leigh. Jack Cardiff gives us the fjords of Norway, lean and mean Viking ships, and a brain-bashing acrobatic castle assault designed to out-do Burt Lancaster. With Ernest Borgnine ("Ohhh-dinnnn!!"), James Donald and Alexander Knox. And as the old song goes, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got Frank Thring. The Vikings Blu-ray Kl Studio Classics 1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 114 min. / Street Date March 8, 2016 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95 Starring Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh, James Donald, Alexander Knox, Maxine Audley, Frank Thring. Cinematography Jack Cardiff Production Designer Harper Goff Film Editor Hugo Williams Original Music Mario Nascimbene Written by Calder Willingham adapted by Dale Wasserman from a novel by Edison Marshall Produced by Jerry Bresler Directed by Richard Fleischer
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson...
- 2/16/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 films to be named to the National Film Registry, a proclamation of commitment to preserving the chosen pictures for all time. They can be big studio pictures or experimental short films, goofball comedies or poetic meditations on life. The National Film Registery "showcases the extraordinary diversity of America’s film heritage and the disparate strands making it so vibrant" and by preserving the films, the Library of Congress hopes to "a crucial element of American creativity, culture and history.” This year’s selections span the period 1913 to 2004 and include a number of films you’re familiar with. Unless you’ve never heard of "Saving Private Ryan," "The Big Lebowski," “Rosemary’s Baby” or "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Highlights from the list include the aforementioned film, Arthur Penn’s Western "Little Big Man," John Lasseter’s 1986 animated film, “Luxo Jr.," 1953’s “House of Wax,...
- 12/17/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Spanning the years 1913-2004, the 25 films to be added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry for 2014 include Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby, Arthur Penn’s Little Big Man, John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski. The annual selection helps to ensure that the movies will be preserved for all time. This year’s list brings the number of films in the registry to 650.
Also on the list are John Lasseter’s 1986 animated film, Luxo Jr; the original Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder; and Howard Hawks’ classic 1959 Western Rio Bravo. Documentaries and silent films also make up part of the selection which represents titles that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant; they must also each be at least 10 years old. Check out the rundown of all 25 movies below:
2014 National Film Registry...
Also on the list are John Lasseter’s 1986 animated film, Luxo Jr; the original Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder; and Howard Hawks’ classic 1959 Western Rio Bravo. Documentaries and silent films also make up part of the selection which represents titles that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant; they must also each be at least 10 years old. Check out the rundown of all 25 movies below:
2014 National Film Registry...
- 12/17/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
After a decade of low-budget cheesy special effects science fiction films, the early 1960s was particularly quiet, ceding to television series such as Star Trek and The Time Tunnel. But, also released in 1966 was an eye-opening spectacular that had a plausible premise, strong cast, and the next generation in film special effects. Fantastic Voyage may be remembered today for Raquel Welch in a tight outfit, it is also a step forward in cinematic Sf. Thankfully, it preceded 2001: A Space Odyssey by two years.
At a time when miniaturization was making home technology smaller and more sophisticated, the idea of inserting a tiny sub full of humans into the body of an ill scientist seemed the next logical step. The body in question was the victim of an assassination attempt and his knowledge and life had to be saved so a daring experiment was to be undertaken. Forget that the...
At a time when miniaturization was making home technology smaller and more sophisticated, the idea of inserting a tiny sub full of humans into the body of an ill scientist seemed the next logical step. The body in question was the victim of an assassination attempt and his knowledge and life had to be saved so a daring experiment was to be undertaken. Forget that the...
- 10/9/2013
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Marlene Dietrich Grandson J. Michael Riva, Robert Clatworthy, and Harper Goff: Art Directors Guild Hall of Fame 2014 Production Designers Robert Clatworthy, Harper Goff, and J. Michael Riva will be posthumously inducted into the Art Directors Guild Hall of Fame at the 18th Art Directors Guild Awards ceremony, to be held on February 8, 2014, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. (Photo: Production designer J. Michael Riva.) J. Michael Riva J. Michael Riva (1948-2012), grandson of Marlene Dietrich (The Blue Angel, Shanghai Express, A Foreign Affair), was production designer for Stuart Rosenberg / Robert Redford’s 1980 socially conscious drama Brubaker. Later on, Redford hired Riva as the art director for Ordinary People, also released in 1980. Riva’s other production design credits include the Lethal Weapon movies starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover; A Few Good Men (1992), with Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore; The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), with Will Smith; Spider-Man 3 (2007), with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst,...
- 9/12/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Live Appearance by Kirk Douglas Introducing a New Restoration of
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
For the second consecutive year, the TCM Classic Film Festival will celebrate the legacy of The Walt Disney Studios. Turner Classic Movies (TCM), in collaboration with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will present a 75th anniversary screening of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs(1937), Disney’s first hand-drawn feature-length animated film. In addition, legendary actor Kirk Douglas will present the first general public screening of the newly restored (from original camera negatives) live-action adventure, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).
On Saturday, April 14, Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will screen at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at 1 p.m. This film revolutionized the art of animation with its cutting edge technique, design and storytelling . setting animation in pursuit of an ever more realistic look. Moreover, it demonstrated animation’s viability...
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
For the second consecutive year, the TCM Classic Film Festival will celebrate the legacy of The Walt Disney Studios. Turner Classic Movies (TCM), in collaboration with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will present a 75th anniversary screening of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs(1937), Disney’s first hand-drawn feature-length animated film. In addition, legendary actor Kirk Douglas will present the first general public screening of the newly restored (from original camera negatives) live-action adventure, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).
On Saturday, April 14, Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will screen at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at 1 p.m. This film revolutionized the art of animation with its cutting edge technique, design and storytelling . setting animation in pursuit of an ever more realistic look. Moreover, it demonstrated animation’s viability...
- 3/20/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
While Melissa holds down Hall H and the Lr crew takes the stage for the Masters of the Web panel at Comic Con, I'm over in New York is super psyched about Guillermo Del Toro re-booting the marred Haunted Mansion film franchise. Mainly, because the Haunted Mansion is one of my geek obsessions and the Eddie Murphy movie laughed at the very intriguing and Existing plot threads embedded in the Disneyland ride. I’m a big fan of Disneyland, even if the company that runs it occasionally makes NewsCorp look like the lesser of two evils. Despite Walt Disney’s numerous faults (naming names during McCarthyism to bring up the obvious), I like the idea of a man who had enough balls to devise a theme park that went far beyond a carnival, a traveling fair or cheap amusements.Disneyland as an idea, stripped of what it means to be sold childhood memories,...
- 7/22/2010
- LRMonline.com
When we contacted Harry Walton and requested an interview, his reply was simple and immediate: “Sure! I grew up on Famous Monsters. When do you want to talk?” Nothing keeps us more enthused about our mission than speaking with the fanboys and –girls who grew up to become the modern mages of today’s visual effects.
Harry's buddy Rick Baker in his Frankenstein mask, West Covina, CA, 1968
Harry’s enthusiasm goes way back and deep; during our interview we spent a long time lost amongst his many scrapbooks of personal photos. A few of these may be seen on Harry’s own website. (All photos in this interview are from the Harry Walton Collection, (c) VFXmasters.)
Top Row: Davey & Goliath, Harry running an optical printer, "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids". Middle Row: the Pillsbury Doughboy, "The Golden Child," "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Bottom Row: "Land of the Lost", "RoboCop2", "James...
Harry's buddy Rick Baker in his Frankenstein mask, West Covina, CA, 1968
Harry’s enthusiasm goes way back and deep; during our interview we spent a long time lost amongst his many scrapbooks of personal photos. A few of these may be seen on Harry’s own website. (All photos in this interview are from the Harry Walton Collection, (c) VFXmasters.)
Top Row: Davey & Goliath, Harry running an optical printer, "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids". Middle Row: the Pillsbury Doughboy, "The Golden Child," "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Bottom Row: "Land of the Lost", "RoboCop2", "James...
- 12/16/2009
- by Steve Weintz
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
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