Given that the silver anniversary of Disney's " Beauty and the Beast " is coming up (This Kirk Wise & Gary Trousdale film initially went into wide release back on November 22, 1991), a lot of bloggers have recently been writing about this hand-drawn animated feature. Using Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment's release of the signature collection edition of "Beast" (which includes a Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD version of this Academy Award-winning movie) as an excuse...

When Southern Californian fright fans return to Universal Studios Hollywood this Friday for the official kick-off of Halloween Horror Nights 2016 , they'll have a wide assortment of scares to choose from. They can climb aboard the Terror Tram (which is presented by horror auteur Eli Roth & his digital network Crypt TV) and have a far-too-close encounter with "Hollywood Harry," the serial killer clown. Or - if these USH visitors prefer -- they can explore the more public portions...

It's kind of a tradition at Walt Disney Animation Studios that the hero or heroine of each new production has an animal companion. Sometimes they talk (EX: Flounder in " The Little Mermaid ") and sometimes they don't (EX: Abu in " Aladdin "). But these furry, feathered or finny friends always provide support - emotional & otherwise - for that film's lead character. More to the point, these animal companions always find a way - even when they can't talk - to...

Let me get right to the point here: It kind of breaks my heart that "Kubo and the Two Strings" hasn't done better at the domestic box office. Copyright Focus Features. All rights reserved I mean, this stop motion movie is arguably the best thing that Laika has ever produced. And if you go over to Rotten Tomatoes , you'll see that - given the 96% freshness rating Focus Features ' most recent release has gotten (Not to its audience score of 91%) - I'm not the only one who...

I n Celebration of the 25 th Anniversary of "Beauty and the Beast," BRING HOME ALL OF THE DISNEY PRINCESSES for a Limited Time Only Don't Let the Clock Strike Midnight on this Rare Opportunity! For the first time ever, the unforgettable Disney Princess films will all be available for purchase at the same time, Sept. 6 - Oct. 17! In honor of the 25th anniversary of the beloved animated classic "Beauty and the Beast," Disney fans are gaining unprecedented access to Disney's...

Six times a day, Louis the Alligator is up onstage at WDW 's Magic Kingdom . Performing in front of Cinderella Castle as part of the cast of characters featured in " Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire ." Which wasn't always the case. When this new theme park show officially debuted at the Walt Disney World Resort back on June 21st, this trumpet-playing gator from Disney's " The Princess and the Frog " was nowhere to be seen. Which is perfectly understandable. Given...

If you have a kid in your house, ask them what comes after the following line? There's 104 days of summer vacation ... If they respond with " .. . And school comes along just to end it ," you have a " Phineas and Ferb " fan on your hands. And they're no doubt still in deep mourning. Given that this Emmy Award-winning animated series officially ended back on June 12, 2015. Copyright Disney XD. All rights reserved Okay. Given that there were 222 episodes produced over the...

What Thor was up to while the rest of the Avengers were battling each other in MARVEL'S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Thor returns in THOR: RAGNAROK November 2017!

It's often been said that "good things come in threes." For fans of FX's " American Horror Story ," that will most definitely be the case with this year's " Halloween Horror Nights " at the Universal Orlando Resort & Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. For the 2016 edition of the ultimate Halloween event, they're building one massive maze that will then pay tribute to three separate installments of this critically-acclaimed horror anthology series...

It's the movie that Leonard Maltin is calling " ... the summer's best family film." Disney's "Pete's Dragon" reboot - which opened in theaters earlier today - is a genuine Hollywood rarity. A reimaging that actually improves on the original. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved Which - if we're being completely honest here - probably wasn't all that hard to pull off. As delightful as this "E.T." -inspired reboot is, the original...

Over the nearly 15 years that he'd been working in animation, Ryan Quincy had done a great many things. He's helped create Emmy Award-winning episodes of " South Park ." Not to mention " Out There ," that acclaimed series for IFC. "But what I hadn't done was work on anything animated that I could then show my son, who's 11, and my daughter, who's 9," Quincy recalled during a recent phone interview. "And that had genuinely begun to bother me."...

When Andreas Deja was a little boy growing up in Germany, he loved going to the movies. He especially enjoyed catching the theatrical re-releases of classic Disney animated features like "Lady & the Tramp" and "The Jungle Book." Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved "And as I watching the credits for these films, I couldn't help but notice that the same names kept appearing over & over," Andreas recalled during a recent phone interview. "Given...

Back in October of 2012, the Internet temporarily lost its mind when Jamie Mitchell - the producer of the then-soon-to-launch "Sofia the First" television series - mistakenly identified this show's title character as Disney's first Latina princess. Princess Sofia and her mother, Queen Miranda. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved Within a day or so, The Mouse House was walking back Mitchell's off-the-cuff comment. But where everyone else saw an embarrassing...

Thanks to Comic-Con International , now through Sunday, San Diego is the white-hot center of the pop culture universe. Photo by Jim Hill Mind you, there's more to this four day-long event than those high-profile presentations in Hall H. Which is where various movie studios will be parading celebrities & showing exclusive clips. All with the hope that those 6000 early adopters who have (some of them, anyway) been camped out in this cavernous convention center for hours ahead of time will then...

Given that Eric Stonestreet has spent the past seven years working on " Modern Family ," this two-time Emmy Award-winner thought he knew how things worked in Hollywood. (L to R) Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Eric Stonestreet on ABC's "Modern Family." Copyright 20th Century Fox / American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved "Your manager will periodically send you out to do a meet-n-greet with someone. This is one of those go-through-the-motions business things...

Thanks to a talented team of artists from California, the UK and Paris, Mickey made some magic at Disneyland Paris this past Saturday. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved Katy Harris - the Show director for Creative Entertainment at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Paris - and her team collaborated with Michael Jung - the Vice President of Theatrical Development at Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment - to give European theme park fans a brand-new stage show to enjoy...

(Disney)

What with " Frozen - Live at the Hyperion " opening in late May at Disney California Adventure Park and Epcot 's " Frozen Ever After " attraction opening its doors later this morning, Anna & Elsa have had a very busy month. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved So what will these Scandinavian sisters be doing for an encore? Would you believe joining forces with the LEGO Group? Anna & Elsa - along with Kristoff, Olaf & Sven - will be starring in...

Volcano Bay to Become Universal Orlando’s Third Theme Park, International Tickets On Sale Soon for Travel Dates Beginning June 1, 2017 A One-of-A-Kind Paradise Filled with Adventure-Drenched Thrills, Relaxing Indulgence and Rejuvenation Universal’s Volcano Bay is a radically-innovative water theme park opening next year at Universal Orlando Resort. Spanning 28 fully immersive acres, Universal Orlando’s third theme park will be an entirely new kind of water theme park experience...

"I've played some Dads in my day." Anyone familiar with Eugene Levy 's filmography knows that the above statement is true. After all, this Canadian comedy legend played Jim Levenstein's Dad in all eight installments of the " American Pie " sex comedy series. Not to mention that hyper-competitive papa in " Cheaper by the Dozen 2 ." And let's not forget that Eugene is currently appearing alongside his own children - Daniel & Sarah Levy -- in Pop's...

It's Friday. The end of the work week for a lot of folks. Which means that they're finally able to get away from jobs that they don't necessarily enjoy. But what if there was a way to take an unpleasant employment situation like that and then transform that chore into a joy? And not by physically transforming one's workplace. But - rather - by changing the way that you view said workplace. That's the creative conceit behind "Inner Workings," the delightful new short...

Superheroes aren't the feel-good characters they used to be. Copyright Warner Bros. All rights reserved In recent years, many of the superhero films have taken a dark and somber turn. Blame it on the success of the "Dark Knight" trilogy but the truth is rooted in comic book tradition. Long-time comic book fans know that there have been graphic novels featuring characters from both Marvel and DC that have dealt with serious issues for decades. Racism, cancer, addiction, suicide and even...

"Yo-Kai Watch" is a series that I worried would never catch on in America. The series rocked Japan, with over 1.33 million units of the first game sold over there, over ten games (including apps and spin-offs), and Yo-Kai tokens featuring characters from the series that had people lining up for hours to get. The character designs in this adorable, fun, ghost-driven game were irresistible, adorable, and sometimes completely repulsive in the most fantastic way. But luckily enough, "Yo...

The Ghostbusters has been a prime piece of pop culture real estate for over 30 years. In the video game landscape there have been a few memorable and many forgettable titles. In 1987 Data East released an arcade version called the Real Ghostbusters, named after the popular animated series. The game was tedious and difficult. It never saw a sequel but that didn't stop audiences from wanting to try another Ghostbusters game. It also did not stop various studios from trying to get another Ghostbusters...

The long-awaited sequel to "Finding Nemo" arrives in theaters in little more than a week. To help raise awareness of this highly-anticipated Pixar Animation Studios production, Disney Digital Books and Seven2 have released the "Finding Dory: Just Keep Swimming" app. Which is a fun, interesting storytelling experience geared towards kids that's jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Copyright Disney Pixar. All rights reserved Using your finger, the player guides the world's most famous...

Mickey and the House of Mouse better watch out. Mario is moving into the castle ! Nintendo and Universal plan to have the first Nintendo park ready in a few years. The target date is by the 2020 Tokyo Olympics . It won't really be a self-contained theme park, but rather an expansion to the existing Universal Studios Japan which is located in Osaka. Universal is betting big on this project and plans to invest 400 billion Yen or over $350 million US into its development, which was more than was...

If you've been watching Disney XD lately OR If you've been in a Target , a Walmart , a Hot Topic OR anywhere that sells video games ... Heck, if you've been around a group of kids lately, chances are you've heard of Yo-Kai Watch . Initially released in Japan by Level-5 in 2013, just last year the first of Yo-Kai Watch games were translated and brought over for American audiences. In Japan, the game was a huge, bombastic hit. And why not? The creatures within the game were based on...

" Will Arnett put you up to this, didn't he?" That's what Jason Bateman said to his agent four years ago when this " Arrested Development " star learned that Walt Disney Animation Studios wanted him to come voice one of the leads for " Zootopia ." "Ever since ' Toy Story ' -- or was it ' Shrek ' ? - film actors were being invited to voice these really great characters in animated films. And that was something that I really, really wanted...

Never mistake an actor for a role that they've played and/or a character that they've voiced. That's an especially smart thing to remember when talking with Josh Gad . Sure, he originated the role of insecure, incorrigible Elder Cunningham in the Tony Award-winning " Book of Mormon ." Not to mention voicing sweet, naïve Olaf in Disney's animated smash, " Frozen ." But just because Gad has a gift for playing these child-like characters doesn't then automatically...

Anyone familiar with the writings of A.A. Milne knows that the author of Winnie-the-Pooh had a real fondness for the Royal Family . Mind you, the royals who appear in "When We Were Very Young," Milne's best-selling book of poetry from 1924, weren't always on their best behavior. Take - for example - the monarch who fusses & pouts in "The King's Breakfast." Literally sobbing as he hurries back to bed, all because his servants have forgotten a little butter for his...

Take a look at the photo below. See that boat tied up at a marina in Orleans, MA ? (And I'm not talking about the fishing charter to the right. But - rather - the modest vessel to the left). Photo by Jim Hill Doesn't look like all that much, does it? When you take a closer look at the thing, it seems like there's barely enough room for the four brave Coast Guardsmen who manned this particular motor lifeboat back in February of 1952. Photo by Jim Hill But then you notice the plaque .....

It’s a Jungle (Book) Out There For more than 50 years, The Walt Disney Company has been reimagining the writings of Rudyard Kipling–taking his tales of Mowgli the man-cub and his animal friends and then turning them into hugely popular films and television series. Let Jim Hill take you from Bill Peet’s far-too-dark take on this tale (which Walt Disney just hated) to Jon Favreau’s photo-realistic box office smash (for which the Studio is already developing a sequel). You’re...

So who exactly is Neel Sethi , the 12 year-old cinematic newcomer who's the only live-on-screen human performer in Disney's "The Jungle Book" ? Which -- after spending its second weekend at the top of the domestic box office -- has now gone on to sell over $500 million worth of tickets worldwide. More importantly, why -- out of the hundreds of child actors who auditioned for the role of Mowgli in Jon Favreau 's live-action reimagining of Disney's 1967 animated classic -...

So I -- like a lot of you, no doubt -- have spent the last day or so sifting through all of the info that came out of this week's "Awaken Summer" media event down at the Walt Disney World Resort . And there was something that caught my eye about this new piece of The Star Wars Experience concept art. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved Take a close look at the right-hand side of the above image. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved Does that look...

Given that there are already Wizarding Worlds in Orlando & Osaka, why should Harry Potter fans now travel to Hollywood to experience the third theme park incarnation of that magical realm which J.K. Rowling dreamed up? Because -- as Professor Flitwick (who teaches the Charms class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry) might say -- the third time's the charm. Universal Creative took all of the lessons that they learned while creating the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter for...

Tonight, all eyes are on the Dolby Theatre and the 88th Academy Awards . But tomorrow morning -- after that 500 foot-long red carpet (which gets rolled out along Hollywood Boulevard every year so that the stars then have something grand to stand upon) has been packed away -- where can one then go to experience some of the glitz & glamour of today's Tinseltown? Well, some people might stroll up the block to the TCL Chinese Theatre . This cinematic temple originally opened back in May of 1927...

As any Spider-Man fan can tell you, "With great power must also come great responsibility." But what comes with great ratings? A surprise renewal. That was the very-good-problem-to-have that Cort Lane (Vice President of Animation Development & Partnerships at Marvel) and Stephen Wacker (Vice President of Current Animation at Marvel) suddenly found themselves dealing with back in the Spring of 2015. Back when Disney XD decided to order up another season of " Marvel's Ultimate...

Once upon a time, Harley Jessup worked on "Twice Upon a Time." And while this John Korty film would eventually go on to achieve cult status, when George Lucas' first attempt at creating a full length animated feature went into limited release back in August of 1983 and then quickly faded from view, this then-29 year-old character designer decided that he was swearing off animation. "Don't get me wrong. I have great memories of working on 'Twice Upon a Time. It's just...

Presidents Day is when we commemorate the people who have led this country. And buy mattresses (or so says Forbes ). So before you focus all of your attention on one of life's truly big decisions (i.e., Do you go with innerspring or memory foam?), let's remember that there were other Commanders-in-Chief besides General George & Honest Abe. Unsung, truly courageous men like Martin Van Buren , William Henry Harrison and Lord Quentin Trembley III. What's that? You've never heard...

So now that the ball has dropped in Times Square and all those flower-covered floats have rolled through downtown Pasadena, that then means we can officially put the 2015 holiday season behind us ... right? Not according to the folks who run the Disney and Universal theme parks. Where Christmas will continue to be celebrated through January 3rd. Now before some baby boomer out there decides to play their " ... it wasn't like this when I was growing up" card, let me point out here that...

It's a really interesting time to be a Disney fan. After all, in a year where " Star Wars: The Force Awakens ," " Avengers: Age of Ultron " and " Inside Out " helped Walt Disney Studios blow past the $5 billion box office barrier for the very first time in the Company's history, the Mouse Factory honestly doesn't look all that much like the outfit that the Disney Brothers started back in 1923. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved Which is...

Are you looking for something a little different to do this holiday season? If so ... Well, given that one of the more popular tales to tell this time of year (i.e., Charles Dickens ' "A Christmas Carol" ) is just loaded with ghosts, maybe you'd be up for a visit to one of America's most haunted homes? To be specific, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California. Which -- earlier this month -- kicked off a brand-new "Spirit of Christmas" event that allows people...

Given that he's the guy who produced " Beauty and the Beast ," the first animated film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, as well as " The Lion King ," Don Hahn is used to getting the lion's share of the accolades. But these days, Don is more concerned about making sure that other Mouse House veterans get their moment in the sun. Take -- for example -- Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman , the surviving member of that Academy Award-winning songwriting team which provided...

Given that -- this past weekend -- "The Good Dinosaur" was once again the No. 1 family film at the box office , there are a lot of parents on the prowl right now for toys that draw their inspiration from this new Pixar Animation Studios production And as luck would have it, there's a good number of "Good Dinosaur" -related playthings on the market right now. The Disney Store -- for example -- has a Jack the Ankylosaurus action figure which features swinging tail action .....

So where are you right now when it comes to your Thanksgiving to-do list? You know, that running tab of things that you need to get done between now and tomorrow afternoon? Well, as busy as you may be, I'm betting that your Thanksgiving to-do list looks like a Post-it note compared to all of the tasks that the talented folks who work for Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group have to accomplish before 12 noon ET on Thursday. November 25th arrives. Copyright 2015 Macy's Inc. All rights...

Member favorites return as Disney's official fan club expands offerings BURBANK, Calif. - December 1, 2015 - In 2016, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will expand member events with more experiences on the East Coast and new twists on current favorites. D23 BEHIND-THE-SCENES EXPERIENCES : In 2015, D23 Members had the opportunity to explore hidden Disney gems-such as the Animation Research Library-while hearing stories from Disney luminaries such as Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith and...

So how exactly does one get hired to voice a character in a Pixar film? Well, to hear Phyllis Smith (i.e., the " Office " vet who voiced Sadness in " Inside Out ") tell the tale, it wasn't talent or luck that actually won her this part. But -- rather -- insomnia. (L to R) Jason Segal, Cameron Dias and Phyllis Smith in "Bad Teacher." Copyright 2010 Sony Pictures. All rights reserved " Jonas Rivera -- the executive producer of 'Inside Out' -- couldn't...

CARLY RAE JEPSEN AND DAUGHTRY SET TO ROCK THE STAGE THIS WEEKEND AS THE FINAL TWO SHOWS OF UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT'S 25 TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SERIES Orlando, Fla. (November 23, 2015) - Universal Orlando Resort's 25 th Anniversary Concert Series concludes this weekend with musical performances by GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen on Friday, November 27 and GRAMMY-nominated rock band Daughtry on Saturday, November 28. Multi-platinum artist, Carly Rae Jepsen released her...

For nearly 30 years now -- ever since King Kong Encounter was first added to Universal Studios Hollywood 's tram tour back in June of 1986 and that 7 ton, 30 foot-tall animatronic figure began blasting tourists with his banana breath -- theme park goers have been going ape for this massive movie monster. Copyright Universal Studios Hollywood. All rights reserved Which is why -- when the East Coast version of this Hollywood must-see threw open its gates on June 7, 1990 -- one of Universal Studios...

With October 31st just a few days away now, millions of people are in the process of putting the finishing touches on their home Halloween displays. All with the hope that they'll then be able to impress the neighbors and/or thrill some trick-or-treaters when they come a-knockin' on All Hallows' Eve. But what are the exact components of a truly successful seasonal display? To get a definitive answer to this question, I reached out to Mike Aiello , Director of Entertainment - Creative...