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REVIEW: All the Buzz About Ant-Man and the Wasp

3 July 2018 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I will admit, I could watch Paul Rudd read the latest tax code updates and be totally content. I’m a fan. (And my husband reminds me of him as well, so I really lucked out there.) That said, I wasn’t super excited about the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp. It just didn’t look that intriguing to me, especially after the action-packed Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War in recent months, this seemed like an afterthought. However, as usual, Marvel came through and made me eat my words. It was a fun romp, just the type of levity needed after the dare I say it, super depressing Infinity War ending. I’m sure many of us are still recovering after that killer ending (no pun intended). What AM&tW did was fill in the blanks and connect the dots to what was going on in the rest of the world while those last movies were happening, and also primed both Ant-Man, and the Wasp, to be a part of the continuing Avengers storylines.

I don’t want to give anything away, and this review will be spoiler-free, but I must say, I love how Marvel can just connect everything with a sentence or two, or even just one visual shot, and make you go “Ooooh, okay!” I’m not versed on the original comics, so I go in to all of these movies blind, but I am a nerd at heart, so I appreciate subtle links that lead to huge backstories and a wider universe of relationships and connections for our storylines.

Ant-Man and the Wasp does not disappoint with comedy and hi-jinx, heartwarming family ties, and a few jaw-dropping moments as well. I love that Ant-Man isn’t afraid to say what we all are thinking as an audience, “Are you guys just adding quantum before words now?” and isn’t afraid to be a “real guy.” We learn more about Scott Lang and his bad-guy-gone-good personality. We understand more about Hope van Dyne and her family, and how little we actually know of what else is out there in the universe.

I walked in not a huge fan of Hope, as I found her so reserved and not really endearing in Ant-Man, but this film does make strides in that department and she really is the yin to Scott Lang’s yang 😛 Other fun performances are from of course, Michael Peña as Luis, Randall Park as FBI Agent Woo, David Dastmalchian as Kurt, and Bobby Cannavale as Paxton, who picks right up where he left off in Ant-Man. I really enjoyed Laurence Fishburne’s Dr. Bill Foster, and hope this isn’t the last we see of him. Scott’s daughter Cassie, played by Abby Ryder Fortson is a breakout star of the film, as is the city of San Francisco itself, which I love. Another thing I like about this storyline is the fact that things don’t always go as planned with Ant-Man or his suit. They may not have access to perfect Wakandan or Stark-tech environments, but work with what they have, and figure out how to make it work and fight for what’s right.

Speaking of what’s right, there are many times when you wonder, what is right, who is right, and who is the bad guy or the good guy. I appreciate this element because it mimics real life and what you might think is the obvious “good guy” or “villain” just may not be the case. And of course, even the worst villain may be redeemable (e.g. Loki).

All in all, I now view Ant-Man and the Wasp as a necessary chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it has, of course, led me to want more, and get ready for Captain Marvel and upcoming Avengers (4 – to be named later), which really can’t come too soon. As always, stay for the 2 post credit scenes – the first is a MUST see, the second is lighthearted. The end credits themselves are also super fun, for all those Marvel fan boys and girls out there who wish they could run home and recreate the entire movie…with their action figures at home.

Ant-Man and the Wasp opens everywhere Friday, July 6 and is the perfect summer flick to see again and again! I’d love to hear your thoughts on Ant-Man and the Wasp. Who’s your favorite character? What are your MCU theories?! Share in the comments below!

REVIEW: Black Panther – the Movie We All Needed

15 February 2018 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Oh hi, Zannaland readers, readers, readers…hmm, bit of an echo. I’m prefacing this review with a touch of editorial mea culpa. I’ve been embarrassingly absent from my beloved site, focusing mostly on instagram to share my mini-blog posts and thoughts and pretty photos. In addition, I’ve been working full-time, as I’ve mentioned before, but I really shouldn’t use that as an excuse for neglecting this place. Before opening up this “Add New Post” page, I re-read my cathartic 2014 post The State of Zannaland (don’t read it now, it’s really long and we have a movie to discuss. But if you want later, feel free.) and I was shocked at how 4 years later, I could’ve written the same thoughts today. Basically, I get too busy to post, rely on the quick and easy places, then get down on myself and wonder if I should continue writing at all. It’s a vicious circle, which, as I read my own words expressing the same emotions years later, was a bit of a wake-up call. I’ll get into more of that in a future post. For now I’m just acknowledging that yes, I’ve neglected this place, and I’m really going to try my best at more writing and less neglecting. And now, Black Panther!

I am a Marvel fan. I’m not, however, a Marvel nerd, by which I mean, I don’t know all the backstories and original comics and what parts in the movies are canon vs. artistic interpretation – though I will admit to looking many things up in the Marvel Universe to better educate myself before and after movies because, let’s face it, there are some confusing storylines and characters out there. After watching Thor: Ragnarok in theatres, which I loved, I felt the need to re-watch Doctor Strange (and look stuff up online), because hey, Doctor Strange was in there and everything’s connected and wow…so yeah, that’s where I am on the scale of Marvel fangirl.

When I first saw a preview for Black Panther, I was IN. Actually, I was in when he appeared in Captain America: Civil War and as he first appeared and was trying to kill “the good guys” I thought “oh no please let him be a good guy I love him and want him to be a hero not a villain!” Which really, says a lot about heroes and villains because as Civil War pointed out, who’s to say what is on the side of “right” and the side of “wrong?” Sometimes there are various indistinguishable shades, and just as half the internet may see a dress as blue, the other half sees it as gold. And certainly in this real-world of political divisiveness, taking a knee, gun control, healthcare, taxes, and more, we often see people on both sides who believe without a doubt that they are fighting for what’s “right” and “good” even if, in our minds, they are completely wrong. Before I get into that, I will just say again, I was very excited to see trailers for the Black Panther full length film.

Now, dear reader, we come to a bit of a difficult point. I am, as most of you know, a suburban, white, middle-aged (gah that’s the first time I’ve admitted that one), wife and mom. The emotions I felt and the thoughts I have been trying to organize regarding this film, left me saying, “who am I, to have an opinion on this? Who am I to have a say in the themes presented on the screen? How can I rally in support of things I have had pretty much zero experience with in my real life? I don’t want to sound, as is so easy to do, like the person that says, ‘some of my best friends are (insert character descriptor here)!’ ‘Some of my favorite shows are Atlanta and Insecure!’ ‘I love Kendrick Lamar!’ or look like a bad YouTube video of someone trying desperately to be hip and relevant.” It’s awkward. It’s uncomfortable. My thoughts are my thoughts and my opinions and acceptances and loves are my own, but do they matter in a real-world environment of discrimination and brutality and defamation of character that by default I was born into the wrong side of? And then I realized, this is the point. This is the purpose. To feel uncomfortable. To get to that point where all you want to do is shout from the rooftops how amazing something is, even if you look like a fool for doing it, because it’s the right thing to do. To have the thoughts that make you question the way things are. To see the world from a different perspective. With discomfort comes growth. If we are comfortable with the way things always were, we will forever be living with the way things are vs. how they could be. So yes, here I am, a middle-aged (nope, still stings) white lady, discussing the film which is life-changing for many people of color and I’m just going to do it and it’s going to be a good time, I promise.

You may be starting to think, “Is this still a review for a Marvel super hero movie or did I accidentally click on a HuffPo link? It’s *just* a movie. A fun, action flick, not a commentary on the real world.” Yes, and the Princess and the Frog is just another animated cartoon. To many. To many more, it was the first time they got to go to a store and get a costume representing a character that looks like them. A princess that isn’t blonde with blue eyes with fair skin. A super hero that doesn’t look like he is a Viking god (sorry Thor). A friend of mine in the Disney community (I asked her permission to link to her 🙂 ) went with her sister and her nephew to DragonCon this past year, where he proudly dressed up as Black Panther. They took a group photo of all the Black Panthers there at the convention that day, and he was among all the other little guys looking like a mini army of Wakandan princes. And I teared up seeing the photos she shared because I felt just one tiny, miniscule, microscopic fragment of the pride of representation that they were feeling, and a big ol’ chunk of happiness. I don’t think I ever told her that, because, well, I felt dumb and again, like it wasn’t my place to celebrate that victory. That’s the thing with privilege, even if you don’t think you display it, seeing an instance where generations have gone without it, is very eye-opening. A little uncomfortable. And in that discomfort, you grow in understanding. This is not just an action movie.

Imagine a world, where a country was able to rely only on itself and its people, rich in resources, dependent on no one for trade, or benefits of any kind. Where your land and your people were not a place to be, in their terms: colonized, civilized, converted, saved – in our terms: exploited, suppressed, and oppressed. A place where your land, your people, your culture, your traditions, and your history was preserved, celebrated, venerated, expanded upon, magnified, glorified. This is more than just a list of adjectives, this is Wakanda.

In the Marvel universe, Wakanda is the richest nation in the world. Completely self-sufficient, it has never been colonized, and more than that, because of their great wealth and technological power, they have for the most part hidden themselves from the rest of the world. Why? Because they didn’t need us. To see the downtown city of Wakanda is to imagine our cities, if they weren’t built by people with no cultural traditions, no history to celebrate. I know that I’m painting the developed world with a very broad brush, but it’s true. You can’t celebrate traditions and history and tear it down to build the next biggest high rise full of multi-million dollar condos. You just can’t. We only see this downtown area briefly, but that is the “what if?” that struck me. How the modern was mixed with the traditional. You have a skyscraper with a thatched roof added on to the side or on top, because that is how your traditional buildings were built. The people of the different tribes of the country might wear the traditional attire and markings of their ancestors, or a modern suit paired with a lower lip plate and stretched earlobes. It is literally the best of both worlds, the past and the future living in cultural harmony and peace. I watched in awe and wished I could live in Wakanda. Sadly, this place is fictional, but it certainly makes you wonder, at least it did me, what if. What if centuries of colonization and conquering and oppression and yes, slavery, hadn’t taught the world how “progress” worked.

Now imagine our reality and the world we live in, with the struggles, and persecution, and keeping down of marginalized peoples. And as a marginalized person, you discover that Wakanda exists. Would you want to move there and live out your days? Or would you want to expose the overflowing resources and seemingly endless solutions to the problems the rest of the world faces, in hopes of creating a perfect world everywhere, at any cost? Therein lies the dilemma of Black Panther. Some of these same sentiments are felt by citizens of Wakanda as well. So the new king, T’Challa, must decide how he is going to rule. Will he save the world, or protect Wakanda?

That’s all I’m going to discuss in the way of plot details, I won’t spoil this for anyone because there were some great surprise moments in the film. I will say that Black Pantheris enjoyable from start to finish. From the sweeping Wakandan visuals, to the uber cool Black Panther tech, to the up to date(ish) pop culture references, it’s smart, funny, and everything you’d expect from a Marvel movie. With one token white guy. Martin Freeman is a great foil against the typical “token” character and I love how the movie embraces that, making us white folk squirm just a teensy bit, and doesn’t just pretend that isn’t a reality of the situation in this world.

The performances by all the actors were amazing. I loved the character development and the juxtaposition of the modern outside world against Wakanda’s isolated one. I loved the costumes – so many details. I can only imagine the amount of research that went into each tribe’s backstory, traditional garb and appearance. There is a whole Wakandan language that is spoken and written! The level of realism to create the country of Wakanda and all its history is a standalone success even without the acting, writing, backgrounds, and music too. And I loved the messages throughout the film. They are all important. It was wonderful to see strong (physically and emotionally) women represented on film without a second thought as well. This film on a whole is a great commentary on culture, traditions, rituals, and family; how even the mightiest of men can be flawed and, at the end of the day, we are our choices, so make good ones. And, it’s never too late to make up for the sins of the past and attempt to heal the damage done – and, to be open to new solutions.

So there you have it. My review, peppered with the lightest of social commentaries. I am not 100% sure I have expressed everything I wanted to express about Black Panther, but I am going to see the movie again tomorrow with my 17 year-old daughter, who is also dying to see it, so I may have more to add to this post. I look forward to hearing her perspective on it, as a member of the generation that has been a part of more social change and inclusion since perhaps the 60’s. Things like how the standard of beauty has done a 180 from a generation ago. The standard of human rights and representation is growing exponentially. We still have a long way to go, and I think we have seen recently that what has been the ‘norm’ cannot be the norm anymore. Change is afoot, and movies like Black Panther are the stepping stones to those changes.

Edited to add one more thing: IF I have, in fact, offended anyone, please – let me know. I tried to be completely open, honest, and transparent with some very important real world issues, but I completely understand if I have overstepped any bounds or if my tone did not come across as intended. I come in peace and love, and I hope that’s how it appears. I have had people I know tell me that they actually had no desire to see this movie, and when I asked why, they said (and I’m not making this up – I wish I was), “I’m just not a fan of the urban-ness of it all…” and that, my friends, is a very sad sentiment, which unfortunately is still all too common in 2018. So if anything, I wanted to show whoever did read this, that this IS an important and fun movie and if you can’t handle the “urban-ness” of a country full of peaceful, technologically advanced beyond anyone on the planet, and ridiculously rich citizens, then perhaps it’s time to move to a new galaxy.

WAKANDA FOREVER!

Like BLACK PANTHER on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackPantherMovie

Follow BLACK PANTHER on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theblackpanther

Follow Marvel Studios on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvelstudios/

BLACK PANTHER arrives in theatres everywhere on February 16, 2018!

Something There That Wasn’t There Before: Beauty and the Beast 2017

17 March 2017 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Like many others, I will admit to being afflicted with a bit of “live-action overkill” when it comes to Disney animated classics being “reborn” with live actors, or in the case of Jungle Book, an actor and a lot of computer animation. Disney has waved its magic wand to varying degrees of success when it comes to live-action reboots, and while some did indeed steal my heart (Cinderella), others, well, didn’t. So I approached Beauty and the Beast with great caution, having been such a fan of the original.

The animated Beauty and the Beast premiered a few weeks before my birthday the year I graduated high school. I had been obsessed with the story-line for years, having been entranced by fairy tales all my life, and watching the Ron Perlman / Linda Hamilton television show that wrapped up right before the animated film debuted. I was super into books and reading. I always felt out of place. Typical high school to just-out-of-high school emotions that made Belle such a relatable character. I suppose I should also note that at the time I was very into Phantom of the Opera too, so I kind of had a thing for “unlikely love interests,” I guess. This was also a great era for Disney Animation. Leaps and bounds were being made with technology, and the ballroom scene, quite hyped at the time, did not disappoint. My favorite bit of animation will always be how Belle tilts her head during her opening song, and a little piece of hair falls into her face. It made Belle so real, so perfectly imperfect. So in short, the film had a great impact on me, and I was a little bit worried that Disney was setting itself up to fall short by reinventing the wheel. Boy, was I surprised.

Beauty and the Beast delighted me from start to finish. It was a feast for the eyes and ears. I’ve been trying to put my thoughts into words since I saw a screening of the film on Tuesday, and now as it premieres tonight, I still find myself searching for the best way to convey just how wonderful it was. A thought that kept returning to me as I watched was how Walt Disney himself used to talk about “plussing,” of course referring to his creation of Disneyland park:

“I wanted something live, something that could grow, something I could keep plussing with ideas, you see? The park is that. Not only can I add things, but even the trees will keep growing; the thing will get more beautiful every year. And as I find what the public likes—and when a picture’s finished and I put it out—I find out what they like, or they don’t like, and I have to apply that to some other thing; I can’t change that picture, so that’s why I wanted that park.” — Walt Disney

Now, Walt may have been referring to Disneyland, and even noted that he can’t change a picture once it’s released, but future generations have proven it can be done, and done right, if you have the right folks involved. Something that made this production of Beauty and the Beast so special was the gift of two original production members: Don Hahn and Alan Menken, working to “plus” this version. Don Hahn, a producer of the original (among many other Disney films) returned as a producer. Alan Menken, who wrote the score of the original, working alongside the great lyricist Howard Ashman, had previously written new songs for the Broadway musical adaptation with Tim Rice. Menken wrote even more new music for the 2017 film, which he managed to weave in seamlessly to enhance the story we all knew and loved. Who better to retell the tale than those who gave so much to the original 1991 production?

Back to plussing, that was my overwhelming take away from this new Beauty and the Beast. The costumes, the sets, the characters and the music were all enhanced and improved upon. I realized, upon listening to the original songs, that most of what we learn about the characters within the animated feature is told to us, through narration or song. We learn that the Beast was a jerk and was punished for that. We hear that the townsfolk think Belle is weird because she reads. In the new film, we get backstory. Belle’s father Maurice isn’t just “crazy old Maurice, always good for a laugh,” he is an artist, who sacrificed the love of one for the safety of another. I really loved Maurice’s portrayal by Kevin Kline. I thought he was the perfect fit and we understand so much more through that performance. We see Belle’s mother, and where she came from. How did they end up in this poor provincial town? You’ll find out in the film. Why was Beast a jerk? You’ll find that out too. The character development is done really well and just enough to lend itself to the story without giving too many details or seeming implausible.

We still learn through song in this version too, with beautiful new music from Alan Menken. I daresay the new songs are my favorite part, with a couple of them causing me to shed a tear or two. “How Does a Moment Last Forever,” sung by Kevin Kline as Maurice is simple and poignant. “Days in the Sun” is a heartbreaking ballad sung by the enchanted castle residents and Belle. And “Evermore” is a show-stopping Broadway-worthy number sung by Beast as he lets Belle go free to help her father. These new songs, and additional lyrics from Howard Ashman that were cut from the original animated film, made me download the soundtrack the minute I left the theatre. The special effects, dance numbers, and sets that go along with many of these musical numbers are so rich and full of fun details, it really makes for a film you want to see again and again, which I think is the perfect tribute to the original.

As for the shocking news that LeFou is a gay character, it was truly much ado about nothing in my opinion. What I saw on screen was someone who had a huge love and admiration for Gaston as a person, and wanted both the best for him, and to be a part of that Gaston persona. But LeFou is also later confused when Gaston’s behavior doesn’t align with what he (or anyone with a heart) thinks is right. LeFou is not simply a bumbling sidekick in this version. He has evolving feelings of right and wrong. You can see him struggling to align his conscience with his adoration of Gaston, leading to an epiphany about Gaston’s personality (granted it takes a while, but he gets it). As for LeFou being gay, if anything, I’d say perhaps he’s bi-, or still just figuring it out. Which is just A-OK to feature in a Disney or any other film. Because, guess what? There are allllll different types of kids in the world, who become all different types of adults in the world, and wouldn’t it be great if all of them saw someone they could identify with on a big screen? Goodness knows I’d much rather have more LeFous in the world than more Gastons, and I’m sure I’m not alone there.

The other performances did not disappoint, even though I wasn’t initially convinced about Belle’s casting. Emma Watson won me over and became the perfect Belle. I also loved seeing the relationship of Lumière and Plumette, as well as the love between Garderobe and Cadenza. You truly felt for these humans-turned-home-décor-items and their interrupted lives. Don’t even get me started on Chip and Mrs. Potts. As a mom of two older teenagers and one 8 year-old boy, Chip just about killed me. But unless you’ve lived under a rock for the last 25 years, you know it all works out in the end. Oh, one last side note: I’ll take Belle’s flowered “Celebration dress” at the end over the yellow ballgown any day – it was simply stunning!

I left the theatre lifted up and galvanized, as if I’d just seen this tale for the first time (in forever), despite it being as old as time. What a triumph to successfully breathe life (literally) into a beloved story that seemed to hold no place for improvements. The love and veneration of the original is present in abundance. The fresh take and inspired additions show us something there that wasn’t there before, making it an instant classic, yet again.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts – A Must Visit!

15 February 2017 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I love a good festival. Art, Food, Renaissance, Fools, I’m always up for a festival. I’ve written many times before about the various established Epcot festivals. Originally begun to bolster lower attendance weeks at Walt Disney World, the first modern, well-promoted festival at Epcot was the International Flower and Garden Festival, which began in 1993. I missed the first couple of years, but when I moved down in 1995 and began working for Walt Disney World, it became a tradition to attend. The Flower and Garden Festival always revolved around Mother’s Day and back then, Disney provided a free photo op (much like they also used to at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). It became a Mother’s Day tradition to attend with my mom, enjoy all the fun topiaries and floral displays, dine in France, and get our photo taken together. Also in 1995, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began. I remember how exciting those first years were; being able to stroll around World Showcase and sample smaller bites from countries that may not have a full pavilion, but have some great flavors to offer. It was a fun time.

Now, there are very few “low attendance times” at Walt Disney World. People now plan their visits around the festivals, in order to try the food items, or take part in the many seminars and sessions offered. Another addition over the years was runDisney appearing on the scene, with some races around the festivals, making it even more well-attended. And, of course, Epcot drinking teams also became a thing, giving Food & Wine bit of a reputation for drunken hordes roaming the World Showcase Promenade. That is not to say these festivals are not still enjoyable, just that they have considerably changed over the years, and become an entity unto themselves. As a local, it’s still fun to go on a weeknight and try the foods, or perhaps splurge on a dining event offered. My husband and I did the Parisian Afternoon last year and had a lovely time. There is always something new to see or experience, so you really can get out of the festivals what you want.

Enter #ArtfulEpcot. Quietly sauntering into the festival scene in the middle of January this year, the Epcot International Art Festival became an INSTANT hit. And I do mean instant. There was very little info provided about this festival far ahead of time. We saw a few photos of “artsy food” which, yes, looked amazing, but I don’t think I was alone when I thought, “oh, it’ll be Food & Wine in February…” and also wondered how they would pull off these artistic food creations under the usually extreme conditions of festival food booths. Then, I walked into Epcot the first Friday it opened, saw a perfectly crafted Figment topiary, complete with two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer…he really was a lovable fellow. Sorry, it’s impossible for me not to break into song when discussing Figment. Anyway, I sort of fell in love, again, with Epcot.

Of course it was more than just a Figment topiary to make me appreciate this new festival. I attended an event which highlighted the various food creations, merchandise, and entertainment offerings within the festival. Every cast member on hand who spoke about their area of expertise was so passionate and excited. That excitement was contagious, and I soon realized this was something very different from just another festival. As we strolled around Epcot, I saw more and more reasons why this was going to be a big hit.

There are many different types of Disney fan out there. I’ve spoken about what kind I am before, and though there are most certainly no wrong or right type of fan, there are many others like me, who love the history of the Walt Disney Company, the pioneering advances and different thinking that made it succeed, even while it was doomed to fail. We Disney history nerds love the original concept, hopes, and ideals that EPCOT Center stood for both in Walt’s initial idea, and the 1982-1994 incarnation of the theme park once known as EPCOT Center. I have professed my love for this park endless times. That park doesn’t really exist today, but you can see glimpses and sparks of it if you know where to look. As an EPCOT Center fan, it’s completely normal and acceptable behavior to stare at wall carpet, marvel at the ride system within Universe of Energy (Ellen’s Energy Adventure), or watch Impressions de France on repeat, while the rest of the park may be lining up for characters or Frozen or Test Track. That is not to say we can’t also enjoy some of the park’s current lineup. It is to say, we miss original EPCOT and all that it represented to us.

What the Epcot Festival of the Arts has done is found the perfect mix, to entertain the masses, and delight those who dearly miss what EPCOT once was. How? Well, for starters, the entire design of the festival speaks to EPCOT in a modern way. Muted, watercolor style images of park icons, including the original EPCOT Center logo, make my 1980’s heart sing. Figment is the “mascot” of the festival, but not in an annoying, or out of place way. He represents the very spirit of art, appearing in each World Showcase country, in a work of art hailing from the country you are in, only Figment-ized. A perfect way to get kids (and adults) interested in art and seek out more knowledge about the pieces featured, the countries, and art in general. This “scavenger hunt” featuring Figment is actually available as a paid activity. You purchase a Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt map for $6.99 from several possible locations, and then match the Figment artwork to the artwork featured in the World Showcase pavilions. Turn in your map when you’re done, and you’ll get a prize. It’s fun either way!

Speaking of art, there are not one but two mini-galleries of original and concept art at the festival. Artists, Imagineers and Disney Legends Herb Ryman and Mary Blair have their artwork displayed within (another EPCOT Center holdout) the Odyssey restaurant. There we can see huge versions of Ryman’s original concept art for EPCOT and its Future World pavilions, as well as a selection of Mary Blair’s South American-inspired art pieces. Also within the Odyssey are free – yes FREE – informational sessions from topics like the animation ink and paint process, to different types of tea. There are also paid sessions on specific art topics which include take-home items from the lesson too. As you stroll around World Showcase, there are also classes like origami making or anime drawing in Japan, various chalk displays around the world, and fun photo ops where you become part of a famous work of art. Animation Academy, once held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, also makes a reappearance in Innoventions during the festival.

The hit of the festival since it opened has been the Paint By Numbers Mural found between Future World and World Showcase. You are given – again, completely free – a tiny cup of paint and a paint brush and told to paint anywhere from 3-5 (depending on how busy it is) squares matching your color to your number. For the first few weekends, it was a Future World image, the full size version of what is available at character meets as the backdrop in the front of Epcot. Last weekend, the mural design was changed to a World Showcase image, which was also a big hit. When the murals are completed, they are changed out for blank canvases and guests can start all over again. It is sponsored by Glidden’s line of Disney-inspired paint names, so that adds for a fun connection.

The seven “Food Studios” (see full list of menu items at that link)as they call the food booths at this event, may be small in number, but the varied items almost all take a unique spin on a classic food item, or highlight favorites with an artistic twist. My favorites were the Classic Reuben, which looks anything but classic with it’s futuristic “rye curl” in place of traditional bread, and the Scallop with Chorizo found in America at The Artist’s Table. Oh, and don’t forget the jaw-dropping Piet Mondrian-inspired cake at Pop Eats! as well as adorable “chocolate easels” which are an edible work of art in the form of Figment, Mickey and Pluto, or Mary Blair designs. (Click to read full captions below)

Epcot Festival of the Arts Deconstructed Sweet Potato Pie — Deconstructed Purple Sweet Potato Pie, Salted Caramel, Bourbon-soaked Cake and Marshmallow Whipped Cream

Figment Chocolate Easel — Chocolate Figment Easel

Bridging the gap from classic art to modern, there are also many booths around World Showcase, featuring Disney artists and local artisans alike. Many of the artists are on hand to sign their work. It’s a great way to build your art collection with some originals or prints and meet your favorite artists at the same time.

To top off all that this festival has to offer, at the end of the day, Disney on Broadway Concert Series stars appear at the American Gardens Theatre three times a night, perfoming hit songs from the ever-growing catalog of the Disney Broadway productions. As a huge Broadway musical fan, these shows were the perfect fit. I’ve seen two sets of performers and every show was incredible. Such amazing talent. The shows always seem to have a full house too, so I think this series has been very well received.

Word has spread fast online about this incredible festival, which has quickly become my favorite of the Epcot festival lineup. Every aspect of Artful Epcot fills me with joy, and I hope it returns for years to come, running all week long instead of just long weekends. My only fear is that this charming, quaint, interactive festival that offers so much for so many, will lose that charm if it expands too much. However, I’ll put my confidence in the designers behind the scenes to ensure that doesn’t happen. Part of what made the Festival of the Arts such a success is the way it mixed history with present day, classic with modern, and just enough included opportunities that you don’t feel like you have to shell out premium prices (other than a ticket to the park), to experience all this festival has to offer.

There is just one weekend left to the Epcot Festival of the Arts, so I urge you to get down there, get some paint on your hands and chocolate on your face and ENJOY! If you’ve been, I’d love to hear what your favorite part of the festival was or what you hope is added next time around.

Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales Trailer

7 February 2017 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Hopefully everyone saw the amazing Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Men Tell No Tales trailer that premiered during Super Bowl LI. I know we had to rewind it a few times to watch. Looks like another fun romp through pillaging and plundering as only our favorite pirates can do. Here is the official story line of the upcoming 5th installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series:

Johnny Depp returns to the big screen as the iconic, swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow in the all-new “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced.

Here is the full spot from Sunday night:

Exciting, yes? Can’t wait to see this when it opens May 26, 2017. Here’s where to get all your piratey action leading up to that day:

Follow PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPirates

Like PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiratesOfTheCaribbean

Follow Walt Disney Studios on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneystudios/

Visit the official website here: http://pirates.disney.com/

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES opens in theaters everywhere May 26th!

NEW Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer

7 February 2017 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

You may have seen this new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 extended spot during Super Bowl LI, but doesn’t that make you want to watch it again and again? And if not, now’s your chance to see it for the first time! All our favorites are back and better than ever in this second volume of the Guardians of the Galaxy gang. It looks like Baby Groot is growing up nicely (and now seems to have clothes in some scenes?! Not sure what that’s all about but maybe it gives him extra weapons and other advantages). Here’s the official storyline:

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is written and directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Baby Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock, with Sylvester Stallone, and Kurt Russell. Kevin Feige is producing, and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Nikolas Korda and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” blasts into theaters on May 5, 2017.

All that said, I’ll just let the trailer speak for itself:

I’m so excited to see this movie! How about you? Who’s your favorite Guardians of the Galaxy character?

Like GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guardiansofthegalaxy/

Follow GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Guardians

Follow GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guardiansofthegalaxy/

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 is in theaters May 5th!

Beauty and the Beast Full Trailer and Character Posters

30 January 2017 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

The time is almost here to Be Our Guest and experience Beauty and the Beast’s incredible story brought to life in theatres March 17th, 2017. Emma Watson will bring Belle to life and a host of other stars will make their appearance as the story unfolds on screen. Here is the latest full trailer of Beauty and the Beast, as well as the recently released character posters to give us a sneak peek at the amazing costumes and make-up effects used in the movie. I can’t wait to see it all come together!

What character or part of Beauty and the Beast are you most looking forward to seeing in person? To keep you entertained until you can see the movie, follow along on social media:

Like BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyBeautyAndTheBeast
Follow BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Twitter: https://twitter.com/beourguest
Follow BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyandthebeast/
Visit the official BEAUTY AND THE BEAST website here: http://movies.disney.com/beauty-and-the-beast-2017
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens in theatres everywhere on March 17th!

And if you are in Disney Parks on either coast, you can watch a sneak preview of Beauty and the Beast:

For a limited time starting this weekend, a sneak peek of Disney’s epic new live-action adaptation “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® at Walt Disney World® Resort, and in the Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure® Park at Disneyland® Resort, where it can be seen in 3D with special in-theater effects. Each sneak peek location will feature an advance look at a scene from the film, along with a display showcasing a collection of props and costume pieces actually used in the film’s production.

This special 8-minute preview from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” begins Feb. 10, 2017 and will be available at Disney Parks for a limited time through March 26, 2017.

Pinocchio On DVD and Blu-Ray

29 January 2017 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Pinocchio has always been one of my favorite Disney animated movies, because I instantly fell in love with both Jimminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy when I first saw it. It’s such a timeless classic, made even more enjoyable by the dark ride in Disneyland, and now, bonus features on its Signature Collection DVD and Blu-Ray release on January 31, 2017. It looks spectacular on Blu-Ray and the bonus features are such a special look behind the scenes with Walt himself, and a newly restored Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short! Read more about the release and features below:

“Pinocchio” is considered one of the greatest animated films ever made, with two Academy Awards® — for best original score and best original song “When You Wish Upon a Star” – and a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, it will delight a whole new generation of dreamers with its masterful animation, unforgettable characters and award-winning music.

The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes hours of classic bonus material and exclusive features including a reinvented rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” created and performed by music influencers from Disney’s Maker Studios; never-before-seen artwork from the film’s Pleasure Island sequence; archival recordings of Walt himself during “Pinocchio” production; and a recently restored and scored 1927 short featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

“Pinocchio” tells the tale of wood-carver Geppetto’s beloved puppet who embarks on a thrilling quest – with faithful friend Jiminy Cricket – that tests his bravery, loyalty and honesty, all virtues he must learn to fulfill his heart’s desire: to become a real boy.

Bonus Features:

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:

Walt’s Story Meetings: Pleasure Island – The Pleasure Island scene in “Pinocchio” had much more development than what is seen in the film. Join Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman as they explore artwork recently discovered in Disney’s animation research library revealing some of the attractions, gags and games, which Disney animators created for this iconic location of the film, that never made it on screen.

In Walt’s Words – “Pinocchio” – Hear Walt himself discuss the making of “Pinocchio” through archival recordings and interviews.

The Pinocchio Project: “When You Wish Upon a Star” – Music influencers Alex G, Tanner Patrick and JR Aquino from Disney’s Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form videos, gather in a creative workspace to create their rendition of the film’s signature song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and produce a fresh new music video.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in “Poor Papa” – This recently restored and scored 1927 short features Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who gets multiple visits from the stork and is forced to attempt various methods to help stop the onslaught of baby deliveries.

Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as the making of “Pinocchio,” deleted scenes, sing-alongs, storyboards and theatrical trailers.

*Bonus features may vary by retailer

Pinocchio is out on Blu-Ray and DVD on January 31st, and out on Digital Download and Disney Movies Anywhere NOW! What’s your favorite memory of Pinocchio?

Sing Saturday – First 200 Moviegoers in Line at 200 AMC Theatres Willl See Sing Free!

15 November 2016 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This sounds like a pretty cool event! The movie looks pretty funny, if only because I like seeing animals act like humans, speak in British accents. and perhaps do a little twerking too. I’m easily amused. Here’s the official info if you plan to go:

Illumination Entertainment, Universal Pictures and AMC Theatres today announced a Thanksgiving weekend event for audiences of all ages: “Sing Saturday,” a celebration of free screenings of the new event film from Illumination at 200 AMC Theatres nationwide, on November 26. From the creators of Despicable Me, Sing—in which Academy Award^® winners Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon lead an all-star cast—arrives nationwide on December 21, 2016.

Tickets for “Sing Saturday” screenings are available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 200 moviegoers in line at participating AMC Theatres on Saturday, November 26 (10 a.m. local time). Audiences are encouraged to bring their family and friends of all ages and experience the film Variety calls “a game changer.” Moviegoers must be in line to receive a ticket for the screening.

“We are so proud that ‘Sing Saturday’ marks the biggest advance-screening program in the history of Universal Pictures and are honored to join AMC as we kick off the holiday season with Illumination’s gift for moviegoers of every generation,” said Nick Carpou, President of Distribution, Universal.

“For the past several years, Sing has been a labor of love for everyone at Illumination, as well as the tireless performers who have poured their hearts into this movie,” said Chris Meledandri, Founder and CEO of Illumination. “We know audiences of all ages will embrace the heart and the humor of this extraordinary film and can’t wait for movielovers to experience Sing over Thanksgiving weekend, throughout the holiday season and beyond.”

“For AMC movie-loving audiences of all ages who have cooked through Thanksgiving Thursday and shopped through Black Friday, AMC is thrilled to offer a holiday-entertainment treat with Sing Saturday,” said Elizabeth Frank, EVP and Chief Content and Programming Officer, AMC Theatres.

For more information and a list of AMC Theatres participating in “Sing Saturday,” please visit www.SingSaturday.com. Broadcast quality clips from Sing are available at www.epk.tv, and stills are available at www.image.net.

About Sing

Illumination has captivated audiences all over the world with the beloved hits Despicable Me, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, now the second-highest-grossing animated movie in history. Following the release of this summer’s comedy blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets, Illumination presents Sing this holiday season.

With its highly relatable characters, heart and humor, the first collaboration between writer/director Garth Jennings (Son of Rambow, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri marks the sixth fully animated feature from the studio.

The event film stars Academy Award^® winners Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon, alongside Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton and Grammy Award-nominated Tori Kelly.

Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (McConaughey), a dapper koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal—some might even say delusional—optimist who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now faced with the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.

Five lead contestants emerge: Mike (MacFarlane), a mouse who croons as smoothly as he cons; Meena (Kelly), a timid teenage elephant with an enormous case of stage fright; Rosita (Witherspoon), an overtaxed mother run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets; Johnny (Egerton), a young gangster gorilla looking to break free of his family’s felonies; and Ash (Johansson), a punk-rock porcupine struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo.

Each arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life. And as Buster coaches each of his contestants closer and closer to the grand finale, he starts to learn that maybe the theater isn’t the only thing that is in need of saving.

Featuring more than 65 hit songs, Sing is produced by Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy. Together, they have produced all of Illumination’s films since the studio’s inception. Released by Universal Pictures, Sing arrives in theaters on December 21, 2016. www.singmovie.com

Beauty and the Beast Live Action Trailer and Images

15 November 2016 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Beauty and the Beast fans can rejoice at the longer look at the new film opening March 17th. That may seem like a lifetime away, but the holidays will fly by and before you know it, we’ll all be stepping foot in the Beast’s castle again.

I’m especially interested in seeing the enchanted household helpers, like Lumiere and Cogsworth, as well as LaFou, since they are perhaps the least “human-looking” of all the characters in the original movie. Here is the newest trailer:

What do you think? It looks visually stunning and with stars like Emma Watson and Ewan McGregor, Sir Ian McKellan, Emma Thompson, and Stanley Tucci, it can’t go wrong, in my opinion. It also reminds me fondly of the “Beauty and the Beast” tv series from the late 80’s starring Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton, which I was a little obsessed with back in the day. Below are some more released official images from the film:

What are you most looking forward to seeing when Beauty and the Beast opens March 17th?