December, 2009

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Remembering Marty Sklar, the Disney Legend who specialized in making other people's dreams come true

Jim Hill

08-14-2017

by Jim Hill

If you look around the Web today, you'll see that there are lots of Disney fans who are expressing sorrow at Marty Sklar's untimely passing . But...

The Official Star Trek Convention goes boldly where few cons dare to go by offering its attendees assigned seating

Jim Hill

07-28-2017

by Jim Hill

Through his various " Star Trek " productions, Gene Roddenberry shared his dream for a far more hopeful future. One where humanity eventually...
Want to know the secret of President Trump’s distinctive ‘do? Madame Tussauds says that it takes lots & lots & lots of product

Jim Hill

07-26-2017

by Jim Hill

Everyone has a bad hair day every now and then. Well, imagine what Ashley Priselac - the studio manager for Madame Tussauds Orlando - has to deal with...
Don't have a badge for this year's Comic-Con? There's still all sorts of cinematic fun to be found by wandering the streets of San Diego

Jim Hill

07-25-2017

by Jim Hill

I know, I know. You don't have tickets for Comic-Con this year. Which means that you can't partake in all of the cool, pop cultural stuff that's...

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Mary Blair concept art showcased in “Walt Disney’s Peter Pan”

Posted 12-30-2009

by Jim Hill
- 2 Comments
Jim Hill reviews the latest volume in the Disney Archives storybook series. Which is illustrated with paintings that this Disney Legend created for the Studio’s 1953 release...
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Monday Mouse Watch : 2010 to be a time of transition at Walt Disney Studios

Posted 12-28-2009

by Jim Hill
- 4 Comments
As the last few films that Dick Cook put into production march towards release, Hollywood tries to get a handle on what Rich Ross’ version of the Mouse House will look like...
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Did you spot all of the in-jokes & Disney references in “Prep and Landing”?

Posted 12-24-2009

by Jim Hill
- 3 Comments
WARNING !! There be spoilers ahead as Jim Hill reveals what co-directors / writers Kevin Deters & Stevie Wermers-Skelton hid under the tree in this new ABC holiday special...
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How it came to snow on Main Street USA

Posted 12-23-2009

by Jim Hill
- 3 Comments
Jim Hill talks with Cynthia Harriss, former President of the Disneyland Resort, about the important lesson she learned from greenlighting this seasonal favorite at the Merriest Place on Earth...
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Sometimes the very best gift you can give someone is to show that you believe in their dreams

Posted 12-22-2009

by Jim Hill
- 4 Comments
Jim Hill chats with Disney animation vet Mike Gabriel. Who looks back fondly on the big family Christmases that he used to spend with his six brothers & three sisters...
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“The Art of The Princess and The Frog” takes you behind-the-scenes on Disney’s return to hand-drawn animation

Posted 12-21-2009

by Jim Hill
- 2 Comments
Jim Hill reviews Jeff Kurtti’s latest making-of book. Which does an excellent job of explaining how Ron Clements & John Musker’s latest animation feature went from script to screen...
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Is 2010 the year that Walt Disney Studios begins showing its movies online?

Posted 12-18-2009

by Jim Hill
- 9 Comments
Jim Hill shares some of the domain names that The Walt Disney Company registered over the past week. Which suggest that Bob Iger’s vision of making Disney-branded content available over multiple devices anytime, anywhere could go live as early as next year...
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NFFC – Disneyana Fan Club members make merry with the Mouse

Posted 12-18-2009

by Jim Hill
- 2 Comments
Jim Hill shares some of the shots that he took at last weekend’s Holiday Extravaganza. Where Disneyana enthusiasts from all across the country came together to celebrate the season at The Walt Disney World Resort...
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“Waking Sleeping Beauty” pays tribute to Roy E. Disney’s creative legacy

Posted 12-17-2009

by Jim Hill
- 1 Comments
Jim Hill shares his thoughts on the passing of this Disney Legend as well as talking up Don Hahn & Peter Schneider’s new documentary. Which does an excellent job of illuminating the role that Walt's nephew played in reviving feature animation...
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“Disney Prep and Landing” claims the top spot among this year’s holiday specials

Posted 12-16-2009

by Jim Hill
- 4 Comments
Jim Hill talks with Kevin Deters & Stevie Wermers-Skelton, the co-directors of this new Christmas show. Which airs again tonight on ABC...
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Universal Orlando picks up the pace with construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Posted 12-15-2009

by Jim Hill
- 4 Comments
Jim Hill shares some photos that Nancy Stadler took just yesterday. Which show how just far along this 20-acre addition to Universal's Islands of Adventure has come in the past eight weeks...
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Disney in-jokes add to the fun of “The Princess & The Frog”

Posted 12-14-2009

by Jim Hill
- 17 Comments
Jim Hill reports in on how well this new hand-drawn animation feature did over its opening weekend. He also shares some of the hidden Disney references that pop up in this picture
...
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Tiny decorations have a huge impact when it comes to the Christmastime version of Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats

Posted 12-11-2009

by Jim Hill
- 4 Comments
Jim Hill talks with David Caranci, manager of Resort Enhancement at the Disneyland Resort about the story-driven decorating decisions that he & his team make while getting this 1955 Original ready for the holidays...
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Tune Thursday: “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” returns to the Goodspeed Opera House

Posted 12-10-2009

by Jim Hill
- 1 Comments
Jim Hill talks with director / choreographer Christopher Gattelli about how the new stage musical version of this Jim Henson holiday special actually came together...
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Revised version of “Timing for Animation” now features the best of the past & the future

Posted 12-09-2009

by Jim Hill
- 1 Comments
Jim Hill reviews the how-to book that many animators consider to be their Bible. Which has recently been revised and updated by animation teacher & historian Tom Sito...
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“Disney Prep & Landing” : The making of a modern Christmas classic

Posted 12-08-2009

by Jim Hill
- 2 Comments
Jim Hill talks with Dorothy McKim, veteran WDAS producer, about how what-was-originally-supposed-to-have-been-a-theatrical-short grew into Disney’s first-ever holiday special for ABC...
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Wanna get a sneak peek at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World? Then go conjure up a copy of the “Half-Blood Prince” DVD

Posted 12-08-2009

by Jim Hill
- 1 Comments
Jim Hill talks about the 11-minute long featurette that’s found on the just-released Blu-ray & 2-Disc Special Edition of this new Warner Home Video title. Which takes the most detailed look – to date – at this 20-acre addition to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure...
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eFX Inc. to begin taking pre-orders on Disney’s Nautilus replicas this Thursday

Posted 12-07-2009

by Jim Hill
- 3 Comments
Jim Hill has great news for all you rivet heads out there. That new model of the 20K submarine which causes such a stir at Comic-Con & the D23 Expo earlier this year will soon be yours to own...
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Disney's "Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation" is one special holiday special

Posted 12-04-2009

by Jim Hill
- 4 Comments
Jim Hill reviews the Xmas edition of this hit Disney XD / Disney Channel series. Where the step-brothers really step things up in order to show their appreciation for Santa Claus...
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Comcast / NBC Universal deal could help Disney overhaul entertainment industry

Posted 12-03-2009

by Jim Hill
- 6 Comments
Jim Hill talks about how CEOs Bob Iger & Brian Roberts actually share an agenda. Which is to get other media giants to embrace an “anytime, anywhere, any device” sensibility when it comes to content distribution...
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“Walt Disney and the Good Neighbor Program” book is a really great read

Posted 12-02-2009

by Jim Hill
- 2 Comments
Jim Hill reviews J.B. Kaufman’s “South of the Border with Disney.” Which does a brilliant job of illuminating & expanding this often under-reported aspect of Disney Company history...
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Tube Tuesday: Xmas marks the spot for the Muppets in 2009

Posted 12-01-2009

by Jim Hill
- 10 Comments
According to Jim Hill, last week’s viral version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” is just the start of a holiday season that’s jam-packed with Muppety goodness...