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• Tune Tuesday: Disney to celebrate the performing arts in 2010

  Jim Hill shares some of the domain names that The Walt Disney Company has recently registered. Which hint at some new events that are currently in the works for the theme parks Read More... Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: Disney, movies, DreamWorks, Broadway, Walt Disney Pictures, Disney Theatrical, Anaheim, Orlando, The Walt Disney Company, Disneyland Resort, Disney Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney Studios, Grad Nite, film, movie, Broadway musical, 2009, The Walt Disney World Resort, George Gershwin, high school, 2010, Fantasia 2000, school groups , school, Walt Disney Company, Fantasia, Disney theme park, choir, choirs, high school band, Disneyland Park, film rights

• Wicked, warped “Eastwick” adds some adult fun to ABC’s 2009 – 2010 line-up

  Jim Hill reviews this new nighttime drama from Warner Bros. Television. Which draws its inspiration from John Updike’s book as well as George Miller’s 1987 movie Read More... Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2009 12:00 AM | 0 Comments Filed under: book, TV, ABC, Desperate Housewives, television, Jay Leno, movie, 2009, television program, TV show, ABC Inc, July , Warner Bros. , 2010, Comic-Con , Comic-Con International, television show , Wicked, TV series, Charmed, Stars Hollow, Gilmore Girls, Eastwick, pilot, John Updike, George Miller, Rebecca Romijn, Roxie Torcoletti, Lindsay Price, Joanna Frankel, Kat Gardener, Jamie Ray Newman, Jon Bernthal, Paul Gross, Darryl Van Horne, Raymond, Bun, Veronica Cartwright, fire ants, lightning, coma, Penny Higgins, Sara Rue, Warner Bros. Television, warped, 1987

• Pins & mini-posters await “Walt & El Grupo” fans in Anaheim, NYC & LA

  Jim Hill talks about some of the fun freebies that can be had if you attend the initial engagements of this new Ted Thomas film Read More... Posted Tuesday, September 08, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Walt Disney, Walt Disney Pictures, Anaheim, New York City, Anaheim Convention Center, Disneyana, Los Angeles, NYC, South of the Border with Walt: Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program 1941 - 1948, LA, movie, Tom Sito, D23, Disneyana Enthusiasts, 2009, Disneyana fans, Ted Thomas , Walt & El Grupo, pin, J B Kaufman, South American , Saludos Amigos, Orange, pins, New York, D23 EXPO, documentary, Egyptian, 1941, Kuniko Okubo

• “Ponyo” celebrates childhood, magic, the beauty of nature and … oh, yeah … ham

  Jim Hill reviews Hayao Miyazaki’s latest. Which Walt Disney Pictures has done a superb job of readying for its North American theatrical release Read More... Posted Friday, August 14, 2009 12:00 AM | 1 Comments Filed under: Walt Disney Pictures, E.T., Fujimoto, film, movie, 2008, 2009, seas, animated feature, Hans Christian Andersen, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, Noah Cyrus, Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, goldfish, motion picture, North America , 1988, Sosuke, Ponyo, The Little Mermaid, Cloris Leachman, ocean, sea, Frankie Jonas, Melissa Mathison, ham, My Neighbor Totoro, Liam Neeson

• Do eye-popping effects & an emotional thru-line really hold the key to audiences connecting with “Alice” ?

  Jim Hill shares what Tim Burton said at Comic-Con last month while this acclaimed filmmaker was talking up Disney’s new Digital 3D version of “Alice in Wonderland” Read More... Posted Wednesday, August 05, 2009 12:00 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: Disney, Johnny Depp, Walt Disney Pictures, Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, Walt Disney Studios, film, movie, 2009, animated feature, London, 3D, Disney Digital 3D, 3D film , 2010, Pretty in Pink, 3D movie, San Diego, Comic-Con , Comic-Con International, live action, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

• Will showing selected scenes from “The Princess and the Frog” finally silence this film’s critics?

  Jim Hill writes about the new tack that Walt Disney Animation Studios is taking with the promotion of its new hand-drawn animated feature. Which involves screening footage from “The Princess and the Frog” at events that will be attended by African-American opinion makers Read More... Posted Monday, August 03, 2009 12:00 AM | 10 Comments Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney Pictures, Ron Clements, John Musker, Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Walt Disney Company, New York City, Los Angeles, NYC, LA, film, movie, 2009, animated feature, November, Tampa, film festival, New York, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid, The Great Mouse Detective

• "Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?"

  Jim Hill talks about the neat invitation that he and Nancy got last Thursday while covering an “Up” press event in Boston Read More... Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 12:05 AM | 3 Comments Filed under: Disney, Pixar, Pixar Animation Studios, marketing, Boston, movie, 2009, Disney Publicity , Up, balloons, marketing staff

• Say "Yup" to "Up" : Pixar's latest is a charming mix of heartbreak, hope and hilarity

  Jim Hill reviews this new Pete Docter film. Which uses colorful characters, faraway places & over-the-top action sequences as a way to illustrate what’s really important in life. WARNING ! This review contains SPOILERS. So read at your own peril ! Read More... Posted Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:00 AM | 4 Comments Filed under: animation, Pixar, Pixar Animation Studios, film, movie, 2009, animated feature, Pete Docter, Up

• Universal Studios Hollywood freshens up for the Fall

  During a recent trip to Southern California, Jim dropped by USH and discovered that lots of changes have been made to both the Upper & Lower Lot Read More... Posted Friday, September 12, 2008 12:00 AM | 6 Comments Filed under: movies, musical, Universal Studios, Visual Effects, attraction, Brad Bird, Labor Day, Lucille Ball, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California, Audio Animatronics, Steven Spielberg, movie, 1974, Universal, tourists, studio theme park, 1976, 2008, 2009, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, October, animated feature, attractions, shows, rides, ride, show, 2005, 1975, soundstage , November, 1955, blueprints , 2006, March, June , interactive, 1986, screenplay, Summer, attendance levels, Universal Studios Hollywood , USH, Upper Lot , Lower Lot , The Simpsons Ride, slow season, theme parks, special event, special events, park, newish, guest experience, fire, New York Street, King Kong , tram , ride-thru attraction , Bob Gurr , Tram Tour, remake, original, 1933, Peter Jackson, V-Rex, ride designer, ride designers , battle sequence , Naomi Watts , animatronic , replacement, Collapsing Bridge, studio insiders , Lucy: A Tribute, exhibit, Lucy, walk-through attraction , The Universal Experience, archives , poster , Carl Laemmle, Universal City, 1915 , Robert A Mattey , blockbuster, Jaws, Curious George, 1999, maquette , Imagine Entertainment , Nickelodeon Blast Zone, The Adventures of Curious George, kiddie play area, cartoon series, PBS Kids, full-length animated feature, Creature from the Black Lagoon -- The Musical, press release , storyline , horror film , stagecraft, choreography, source material , Little Shop of Horrors, Spring , Autumn , Fall, Castle Theatre, Fear Factor Live, audience participation, Universal City Plaza, The Simpsons, Simpsons

• In just one week, the Con is on !

  Jim Hill reviews the programming for Comic-Con 2008 and then points out some panels & signings that Disneyana fans should probably seek out while they're down in San Diego Read More... Posted Thursday, July 17, 2008 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: Disney, TV, Pixar, ABC, Disney Channel, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, television, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Bolt, film, movie, Eric Goldberg, 2008, 2009, Disney / Pixar, TV show, feature film , Chris Sanders, The Little Mermaid -- Ariel's Beginning, comic book, comic books , ABC reality series, Up, Prince of Persia

• Stage version of "Mary Poppins" draws a lot of its inspiration from ... Well, drawings

  Jim Hill looks back at the development of this Disney / Cameron Mackintosh production. Which is not just based on the 1964 film, but also draws its inspiration from P.L. Travers' stories and Mary Shepard's illustrations Read More... Posted Friday, June 20, 2008 12:00 AM | 7 Comments Filed under: Disney, Broadway, musical, Disney Theatrical, Chicago, New Amsterdam Theatre, NYC, Academy Award, film, movie, road company, Broadway musical, stage version, 2009, Tony Award, Broadway production, Cameron Mackintosh , Jolly Holiday, Bob Crowley, Mary Poppins, London, penguins, stage show , production team, March, stage, national tour, North American National Tour , Ashley Brown , title role, Gavin Lee , Drama Desk Award, New York, 1964, set designer , costume designer , set, motion picture, setting, Practically Perfect, Richard Eyre, creative team , Matthew Bourne , Julian Fellowes, P L Travers , Robertson Ay, footman, A Spoonful of Sugar , 1934, Mrs Corry , Annie, Fannie, gingerbread , gilt stars , Gingerbread Stars , Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, talking shop, bake shop, Jaws 3 People 0, Bad Wednesday, chapter, Mary Poppins Comes Back , Royal Doulton , George Stiles , Anthony Drewe , Temper Temper, Miss Andrew, governess, Ruth Gottschall, birdcage , Mary Shepard , Let's Go Fly a Kite, 1943, Mary Poppins Opens the Door , Neleus, statue , statues, illustrations, illustration, The Marble Boy, Starlighter , costumes, constellations , Anything Can Happen If You Let It, Mary Poppins in the Park, England, Theatre Royal Plymouth , Cadillac Palace Theatre, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Matthew Garber, Karen Dotrice, Ed Wynn

• Monday Mouse Watch : "Camp Rock 2" ? A Jonas Brothers concert in 3D ?

  Jim Hill talks about the Walt Disney Company's future plans for some of the Disney Channel's most popular performers & programs Read More... Posted Monday, April 14, 2008 12:00 AM | 14 Comments Filed under: Disney, High School Musical, Disney Channel, Walt Disney Pictures, High School Musical franchise, Miley Cyrus, Walt Disney Studios, movie, Disney Channel Original, 2009, Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both World Concert, Disney Digital 3D, Camp Rock , Jonas Brothers

• Steal a glimpse and/or glimpse some steel at the "Harry Potter" construction site

  Jim Hill brings you an update on "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," including news on the role that Dr. Suess' widow played in making this Islands of Adventure addition a reality Read More... Posted Monday, February 11, 2008 12:00 AM | 20 Comments Filed under: attraction, Harry Potter, Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando, movie, Universal Studios Escape, Universal Studios Orlando, Harry Potter films, Harry Potter books, Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, 2009, J K Rowling, Universal Orlando Resort, ride, show, Jurassic Park

• "Anything Can Happen If You Let It" chronicles Mary Poppins' journey from page to stage

  Jim Hill reviews Brian Sibley & Michael Lassell's great new making-of book. Which -- through a trio of artfully designed books -- covers the history of this much beloved character Read More... Posted Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:00 AM | 2 Comments Filed under: book, Broadway, musical, Walt Disney, Disney Theatrical, Disney Editions, Chicago, Disneyana, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Studios, Academy Award, film, movie, stage version, 2008, 2009, show, Thomas Schumacher, Broadway production, Brian Sibley, Michael Lassell, Bert, Cameron Mackintosh , scenic designer , 17 Cherry Tree Lane , Cherry Tree Lane , nursery, touring version , Plymouth , North American tour , Jolly Holiday, Bob Crowley, design folio , Mary Poppins, costume concept, Guardsmen, Busby, Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It, PL Travers, Gregory Wakabayashi , Clark Wakabayashi