Food Fun Family

Spider-Man: Far From Home – Add It To Your Home Collection!

Lolli — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 01:22:47 +0000

Many thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for sending me a review copy of Spider-Man: Far From Home to add to our own home entertainment collection. All thoughts about the movie and bonus features are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used to link to the product should you be interested in getting a copy to add to your collection, too.

It’s not very often that I see a movie in the theater more than one time. But I enjoyed Spider-Man: Far From Home so much that I saw it not once, not twice, but FOUR times in the theater. And amazingly, I was still just as excited to see it again when it came out on DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD this week.

If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, I suggest that you head out to the store or click on over to Amazon to buy it ASAP.

If you haven’t see the movie yet, here’s a little blurb about what to expect from the latest installment.

About Spider-Man: Far From Home

Tom Holland returns as everyone’s favorite web-slinger in SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME, the next chapter after Spider-Man: Homecoming. Our friendly neighborhood wall-crawler decides to join his best friends Ned, MJ, and the rest of the gang on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plans to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks! Spider-Man and Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) join forces to fight the havoc unleashed across the continent but all is not as it seems.

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME stars Tom Holland (Spider–Man: Homecoming) as Peter Parker, Samuel L. Jackson (Spider–Man: Homecoming) as Nick Fury, Jon Favreau (The Lion King) as Happy Hogan, Zendaya (“Euphoria”) as MJ, and Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler) as Mysterio.

Jake Gyllenhaal is Mysterio in Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments.

And now…my absolute favorite thing about adding movies to my home collection: all the bonus features! Yesterday, I sat down in front of the TV and watched all of the bonus materials. So. Much. Fun.

My favorite bonus feature is always the gag reel and bloopers. I love seeing how the cast interacts with each other and all of the fun they have together when making the film. My kids loved hearing Tom Holland revert to his normal British accent when he came out of character to laugh or tease a fellow actor.

I also enjoyed seeing the clip highlighting the stunts found in Spider-Man: Far From Home. My admiration for Tom Holland grew by leaps and bounds (pun intended). I couldn’t believe the athleticism and skill that he displayed by doing most of his stunts on his own. Wow.

What are your favorite bonus features to watch?

Bonus Materials Include:

Suit Up: The suit doesn’t make the hero – but it does play a big role in who they are and who they can become. This piece examines all of Peter’s different suits in the movie, and with behind the scenes footage, we see why some suits are better than others.
Far, FAR, Far from Home: The film’s illustrious locations serve story points and establish tone, but they’re also amazing to travel to! Hear from the cast on their experiences filming on-location.
It Takes Two: A special look at the chemistry between Jon Watts and Tom Holland.
Fury & Hill: MCU stalwarts Cobie Smulders and Samuel L. Jackson are back as Agent Maria Hill & Nick Fury!
The Ginter-Riva Effect: A look at the villain sub-plot and how William Ginter-Riva ties Spider-Man: Far From Home all the way back to the beginning of the MCU.
Thank You, Mrs. Parker: A look at Marisa Tomei’s reimagining of Aunt May, from Homecoming to Far From Home.
The Brother’s Trust: A quick look into some of the amazing work Tom Holland and his brothers have done through their charity, The Brothers Trust.
The Jump Off: Interviews with the cast & crew take us through all of the amazing stunts of Far From Home.

MJ (Zendaya) catches a ride from Spider-Man in Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME.

Now You See Me: We examine the evolution of Mysterio and why Jake Gyllenhaal was the perfect fit for the role.
Stealthy Easter Eggs: Allow E.D.I.T.H. to reveal some of the hidden Easter Eggs you may have missed!
Select Scene Pre–Vis: A side by side comparison of the Pre-Vis with the film
Gag Reel & Outakes
Never-Before-Seen Alternate & Extended Scenes

Angourie Rice, Jacob Batalon and Zendaya in Columbia Pictures’ SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME.

Grab your copy of Spider-Man: Far From Home today!

Connect with Spidey:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spidermanmovie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spidermanmovie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiderManMovie/
Hashtag: #SpiderManFarFromHome

Captain Marvel is Available on DVD/Blu-ray! #CaptainMarvel

Lolli — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 16:01:51 +0000

Captain Marvel is now officially available on DVD/Blu-ray (and digital download, of course!)! I’ve been waiting for this day because my husband missed seeing Captain Marvel in the theaters and I was eager to share it with him. We were finally able to watch it together this weekend after our review copy arrived. You can order yours now on Amazon (affiliate link) or pick it up at your local stores!

About Captain Marvel

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.

The film stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law. Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee are the executive producers.

Check out the trailer here if you haven’t seen it yet (or refresh yourself if it’s been a while!).

I loved Captain Marvel in theaters and I appreciated it even more on DVD. Captain Marvel has a very different feel compared to the other Marvel Universe films, probably because in this film none of the other super heroes exist. And unlike the other (non-Avengers) movies that have come out, there are no other super hero carry-over characters or secondary story lines.

Captain Marvel takes place in the 1990s, a time I am personally very familiar with. It was fun to see some cultural things that I remember from that time of my life. I loved seeing a younger Nick Fury and Agent Coulson.

Now that Captain Marvel is out on Blu-ray/DVD, it’s a great time to catch it for the first time (if you didn’t see it in the theater like my husband) or catch it again. And BONUS: now that the DVD/Blu-ray is out, there are hours of extra content to enjoy. Honestly, the bonus material is my favorite part of getting a movie on DVD! I’ve always been a sucker for bloopers, deleted scenes, and actor commentary. Sometimes I enjoy the extras even more than the movie itself.

BONUS MATERIAL:

Here’s what you’ll find when you pick up your copy of Captain Marvel (note: content may vary by retailer).

Blu-ray & Digital:

Alternate Movie Versions

– Movie with Intro – An introduction by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.
– Movie with Commentary – Commentary by directors/screenwriters Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck.

Featurettes:

– Becoming a Super Hero – Follow Brie Larson’s journey as she joins the MCU, and see what it takes to be a Marvel Super Hero in every sense of the word.
– Big Hero Moment – Explore how impactful Captain Marvel’s entrance into the MCU is, and how she inspires audiences around the world.
– The Origin of Nick Fury – Witness some of the MCU’s most significant events through Nick Fury’s eyes, and see how his influence helped shape the MCU.
– The Dream Team – Discover why Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck are the perfect pair to direct Marvel Studios’ most powerful hero.
– The Skrulls and the Kree – Take a deeper look into the Skrulls and the Kree, their ongoing conflict, and the importance of shifting perspectives in the film.
– Hiss-sterical Cat-titude – The cast and crew dish on working with Goose and the raw talent it takes to portray such a complex character on-screen.

Deleted Scenes

– “Who Do You Admire Above All Others?” – Kree Commander Yon-Rogg must answer to the Supreme Intelligence, who questions his leadership ability.
– Starforce Recruits – Yon-Rogg lectures a roomful of students on the Kree’s mission to defend all nations from the scourge of the Skrulls.
– Heading to Torfa – Vers (Danvers) and her fellow Starforce members banter as they prepare for their rescue mission to Torfa.
– “What, No Smile?” – In this alternate version of a scene from the movie, Vers is consulting a map when she receives a dubious offer of assistance.
– Black Box – Keller attempts to track Vers and Fury after their escape in a quadjet from the Joint USAFA Facility.
– Rookie Mistake – Novice S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson helps Director Keller out of an embarrassing situation.
• Gag Reel – The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as the cast battles props, flubs and Flerkens in these outtakes from the set.

Digital Exclusives:

• Journey into Visual Effects with Victoria Alonso – Experience how filmmakers’ visions of the MCU come to life on-screen through the skill of the Visual Effects team.
• What Makes a Memory: Inside the “Mind Frack” – What does it take to craft an action-packed sequence for a Marvel Studios film? Nothing short of an epic team effort!
• Concept Art – Explore artwork from “Captain Marvel” and trace the visual development of characters.
• On-Set Images – Uncover a trove of behind-the-scenes and production photography.

Click the buttons below for fun Captain Marvel activities

Enjoy these Captain Marvel extras (I call them off-screen bonus features!). Click the images below to download/save each activity.

Connect with Captain Marvel

Website: Marvel.com/captainmarvel
Facebook: Facebook.com/captainmarvelofficial
Twitter: Twitter.com/captainmarvel
Instagram: Instagram.com/captainmarvelofficial
Youtube: Youtube.com/marvel

Avengers: Endgame Spoiler-Free Movie Review

Lolli — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 23:36:32 +0000

Although I was invited to an early screening of Avengers: Endgame, I was unable to attend earlier this week because of schedule. So I ended up taking my daughter and myself to an early morning showing today, thinking that I’d have more than enough time to come home and write a quick review. I didn’t factor in a migraine. So while this movie review is coming to you fairly late, I figure that most people who saw the movie within the first 24 hours weren’t waiting around for a movie review, anyway.

Just to be clear, this is not a sponsored post. I paid for my tickets. This discussion is 100% spoiler-free and safe to read before seeing the film.

“We lost, all of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost part of ourselves. This is the fight of our lives.” —Steve Rogers/Captain America

About Avengers: Endgame (Official)

From Marvel Studios comes the most highly anticipated film ever in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—“Avengers: Endgame,” the 22nd Marvel Studios film to date and the climactic
conclusion to the cataclysmic events that unfolded in the top-grossing film of 2018, “Avengers: Infinity War.”

The Avengers franchise has had an unprecedented cinematic journey, spanning several galaxies over the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 11 years. Now the newest entry, “Avengers: Endgame,” brings to the big screen the highest stakes and deadliest showdown ever between the Avengers and the universe’s most powerful and deadliest villain, Thanos.

“Avengers: Endgame” picks up with the Avengers having been soundly defeated by Thanos, who, after collecting the six Infinity Stones, imposed his twisted will on all of humanity and randomly wiped out half of the world’s population, including many of the Avengers. In the aftermath of the destruction, the remaining Avengers are faced with their biggest challenge yet—finding the resolve within themselves to get off the mat and find a way to defeat Thanos once and for all.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..L to R: Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), War Machine/James Rhodey (Don Cheadle), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019

Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” is the most anticipated superhero film of all time and stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Don Cheadle as War Machine, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Danai Gurira as Okoye and Bradley Cooper as Rocket.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019

Gwyneth Paltrow also returns as Pepper Potts, along with Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, Benedict Wong as Wong and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie. Josh Brolin also returns as the film’s infamous villain, Thanos.

Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” is directed by Emmy Award®–winning directors Anthony and Joe Russo from an original screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. Kevin Feige is producing the film, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Trinh Tran, Jon Favreau, James Gunn and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo’s creative team also includes director of photography Trent Opaloch (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain America: Civil War”); production designer Charles
Wood (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Matrix”); editors Jeffrey Ford, ACE (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain America: Civil War”), and Matthew Schmidt (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”); three-time Oscar®–nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain America: Civil War”); Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Dan DeLeeuw (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain America: Civil War”); six-time Oscar nominee, special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Black Panther”); and stunt coordinator Monique Ganderton (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Atomic Blonde”).

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..Thor (Chris Hemsworth)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019

Based on the Marvel comic franchise first published in 1963, “Avengers: Endgame” continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Ant-Man,” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Doctor Strange,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” “Black Panther,” “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Captain Marvel” and the upcoming release “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” on July 5, 2019.

My Avengers Experience

Way back when the first Avengers movie came out in 2012, I was invited to attend the press event in Los Angeles. The press event happened to land on the weekend of some kind of performance for one of my kids, and I was already in the dog house for missing something in the past month. I declined the invitation (and have regretted it ever since). I wasn’t a die hard Avengers fan yet.

When Avengers: The Age of Ultron came to theaters, I got another invitation to attend the press event and this time I didn’t hesitate to say yes. By that point, I was a fan and my teenage kids were obsessed (for the record, the kid who I declined that first invitation for has regretted it too). Meeting the Avengers in person was a highlight of my life, alongside giving birth to my children.

What I thought about Avengers: Endgame

Endgame had a different feel from the other Avengers movies, but that’s to be expected after the way Infinity War ended. There is a very somber feel to the entire movie and much less of the Avengers humor that I’ve become used to with this series (don’t worry, there is a little bit of comic relief coming from Thor, of all characters….just wait).

I don’t know if it was my migraine (probably so) or the fact that the theater was uncomfortably hot or a combination of fatigue, hunger, headache, and everything put together that made the 3+ hours seem REALLY long. I was not bored. I enjoyed every minute. But I was uncomfortable. My daughter said the same thing. I recommend getting a drink and popcorn to break things up a bit, but take a good potty break before the movie starts because you’re not going to want to leave the theater during this movie.

Be aware: there is no end credit scene, so don’t bother staying until the last credit rolls. I had heard that this movie didn’t have the typical end credit scene, but I decided to stay until the end to make sure it wasn’t a rumor. It was not a rumor.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..L to R: Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Nebula (Karen Gillan)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019

I’m assuming that if you’re interested in seeing Endgame, you’ve already seen the previous Avengers movies and all of the Marvel franchise movies (including Captain Marvel). If you haven’t caught up with the previously released movies, do yourself a favor and have a binge weekend and get up to speed. Knowing who the characters are and why they’re important in the story line is going to make a huge difference. This is not a movie you can appreciate if you see it out of order.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..L to R: Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), War Machine/James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlet Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019

If you’re caught up and ready to see Endgame, I’m guessing that you have questions. And since this is a spoiler-free post, I can’t answer many of them except to say that your questions will be answered and situations will be resolved. After the movie, my daughter and I chatted for a bit….this really did feel like an ending. Unlike all of the other movies where there was always an opening for the next part of the story, this movie felt final.

My recommendation: see the movie in theaters (after you’re caught up on all of the Avengers movies, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant Man, Spiderman and Captain Marvel). See it soon before everyone is talking about what happens like everyone else already knows.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019

One more word about the movie: I feel like I could write a college paper on the way people react to grief based on the different character’s reactions to the grief that they all experienced in Infinity War. It was very interesting to see the varied reactions – from anger to sadness to staying busy to moving on and making the most of the new situation.

You’re going to enjoy it, but be prepared for an EMOTIONAL ride.

Like Marvel Studios on Facebook: facebook.com/marvelstudios

Follow on Twitter: @marvelstudios

Instagram: @marvelstudios

Hashtag: #AvengersEndgame

Avengers: Infinity War Movie Review

Lolli — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 16:39:29 +0000

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is now playing in theatres everywhere. My husband and I saw it in theaters last night – no payment or free tickets have been received for this post. NO SPOILERS!

“It’s all been leading to this.” Tony Stark

About Avengers: Infinity War – An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

“The story of “Avengers: Infinity War” is the result of everything we’ve ever done to this point,” says producer Kevin Feige. “It is the unprecedented culmination of a series of storylines interlinked together over 10 years and 18 films.”

There is so much I want to say about Avengers: Infinity War….but so much of it I can’t. Until you’ve seen the movie.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Wong (Benedict Wong)..Photo: Chuck Zlotnick..©Marvel Studios 2018

I bought our tickets early on Thursday because I knew that the 7:00 showing would be packed. I was right. We arrived at the theater 30 minutes before show time and had plenty of time to get popcorn and chat about our predictions for the movie. My husband was trying to keep his expectations low. He didn’t think that Marvel could pull off combining SO many characters and so many story lines into one movie.

He laughed throughout the 2 1/2 hour showtime, and apologized for his pessimism on the way out. He gave it a solid A. I was easily convinced that this was THE BEST Avengers movie to date. Scratch that. This was the best Marvel movie to date.

One of the things that we both thought was so brilliant about Avengers: Infinity War was the way that so many beloved characters were so perfectly woven into the story together. The chemistry between characters we’ve never seen together before was insane. My two favorite combinations were Iron Man/Doctor Strange and Thor/Guardians of the Galaxy. Be prepared for a lot of laughter, despite the deep and foreboding story line.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana), b/g Drax (Dave Bautista)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018

Screenwriter Christopher Markus explained it this way: “This film is not one long scene with thirty-five people in it. The characters are woven in the story in a particular way so it allows us to take smaller bites at telling the story in the film. You make someone fightable and beatable by making them human with complexities and emotional life. This allows you to poke and dissect them in ways that aren’t just, ‘I can punch you in the face really hard.’”

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Wong (Benedict Wong), Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)..Photo: Chuck Zlotnick..©Marvel Studios 2018

Producer Kevin Feige said, “What’s always the most fun about an ‘Avengers’ film is seeing characters that have never before interacted with each other interacting for the first time. So now in ‘Infinity War,’ we will have for the very first time some of the Avengers meeting Spider-Man, the Avengers encountering Doctor Strange, a character that wasn’t on their radar, and they also meet the Guardians of the Galaxy for the very first time.”

Director Anthony Russo said, “What happens when you take different sets of heroes who all have a sense of primacy and leadership within their own groups, and you put them together? Who’s the leader? And who’s going to listen to whom? We felt like the real job of the film was to exploit the personalities, put them into scenes of high crisis together and see how they would respond. And with Thanos, you can’t ask for higher crisis.”

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Okoye (Danai Gurira), Black Panther/T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlet Johansson) and Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)..Photo: Chuck Zlotnick..©Marvel Studios 2018

I was surprised by the character of Thanos. He was much more complex than I was expecting. He’s not “just a villian,” and I found myself really feeling conflicted about him by the end.

Kevin Feige said, “In our story, Thanos had to deliver a threat far beyond anything the Avengers had ever seen before. That’s not just making him strong and powerful. It’s about having a villain who’s charismatic and who you surprisingly begin to feel for. More so than any of our other movies, this is very much a story about Thanos and his drive, goals and past. This is the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that a film is really told from the villain’s point of view.”

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..Thanos (Josh Brolin)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018

“In time, you will know what it’s like to lose. To feel so desperately that you’re right, yet to fail all the same. Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives.” Thanos

Who should see Avengers: Infinity War

If you’ve seen and loved any of the previous Marvel movies, you should see Infinity War as soon as you can. I highly recommend this movie!

If your kids have seen any of the other Marvel movies, this is right in line with what you’d expect. Yes, there is intense fighting. Yes, there is some language (PG-13…not terrible). Yes, there is some kissing, but not overly sexual or awkward for kids. I’ll be taking my family, for sure!

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018

Special note: I do think that you will get more out of the movie if you have seen the individual Marvel franchise movies: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider Man, Black Panther, and the previous Avengers movies. Will you still enjoy Infinity War if you haven’t seen all of the movies? Of course. But knowing the personalities and back stories of all of the characters brings a wonderful depth to the dialog and the story.

And now for something fun…

THE INFINITY STONES PRIMER

SPACE STONE (Tesseract)
Color: Blue
Power: Used to control space and create advanced weaponry
Currently in possession: Asgard

REALITY STONE (Aether)
Color: Red
Power: Ability to warp reality at will, immense strength, durability, powers, and subjective influence over the universe
Currently in Possession: The Collector

POWER STONE (Orb)
Color: Purple
Power: Increases physical abilities, allows manipulation of energy. Can obliterate an entire planet when unleashed.
Currently in Possession: Nova Corps

MIND STONE (from Loki’s scepter)
Color: Yellow
Power: Subjugate the minds of others, bending them to the will of the user. Increased intelligence.
Currently in Possession: Vision

TIME STONE (Eye of Agamotto)
Color: Green
Power: Able to control the flow of time.
Currently in Possession: Doctor Strange

SOUL STONE
Color: Orange
Power: Unknown
Currently in Possession: Unknown

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..Thanos (Josh Brolin)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018

Like AVENGERS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avengers

Follow AVENGERS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/avengers

Follow AVENGERS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avengers/

Visit the official AVENGERS website here: https://marvel.com/avengers

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is now playing in theatres everywhere!

2018 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Slate

Lolli — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 03:53:10 +0000

Another year, another AMAZING line up of movies from Walt Disney Studios! I’m excited to share the 2018 movie slate…and there are so many I’m excited about this year. A Wrinkle in Time is #1 on my list this year…this was one of my favorite books as a kid. I read it over and over! But there are so many that I’m eager to see that it’s hard to say what I’m most excited about. Which movies can you not wait to see?

BLACK PANTHER (Marvel Studios)

February 16, 2018 – #BlackPanther

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.

A WRINKLE IN TIME (Walt Disney Studios)

March 9, 2018 – #WrinkleInTime

From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.

Meg Murry is a typical middle school student struggling with issues of self-worth who just wants to fit in. The daughter of two world-renowned physicists, she is intelligent and uniquely gifted, as is Meg’s younger brother, Charles Wallace, but she has yet to realize it for herself. Complicating matters is the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Murry, which has left Meg devastated and her mother broken-hearted. Charles Wallace introduces Meg and her fellow classmate Calvin to three celestial beings (Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who) who have journeyed to Earth to help search for their father, and together they embark on their formidable quest. Travelling via a wrinkling of time and space known as tessering, they are transported to worlds beyond their imagination where they must confront a powerful evil force. To make it back home to Earth, Meg must face the darkness within herself in order to harness the strength necessary to defeat the darkness rapidly enveloping the Universe.

Directed by Oscar® nominee Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Oscar winner Jennifer Lee based upon the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, “A Wrinkle in Time” stars: two-time Academy Award® nominee

Oprah Winfrey as Mrs. Which, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit, Emmy® nominee Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Who, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murry, Michael Pe?a as Red and introducing Storm Reid as Meg Murry, with two-time Emmy winner Zach Galifianakis as The Happy Medium and Emmy nominee Chris Pine as Mr. Murry.

Produced by Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand with Doug Merrifield and Adam Borba serving as executive producers, the film also boasts an impressive creative team featuring some of the most talented and skilled craft persons working today, including: Tobias Schliessler, ASC as director of photography, Naomi Shohan as production designer, Oscar®-nominee Spencer Averick as film editor, two-time Academy Award®-nominee Paco Delgado as costume designer with music by Ramin Djawadi.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Marvel Studios)

May 4, 2018 – #InfinityWar

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (Lucasfilm)

May 25, 2018

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

INCREDIBLES 2 (Disney / Pixar)

June 15, 2018 – #Incredibles2

Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell) and Dash (voice of Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.

Directed by Brad Bird (“Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles”) and produced by John Walker (“The Incredibles”) and Nicole Grindle (“Sanjay’s Super Team” short, “Toy Story 3” associate producer), “Incredibles 2” busts into theaters on June 15, 2018.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (Marvel Studios)

July 6, 2018 – #AntManAndTheWasp

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: “Ant-Man and The Wasp.” In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang (Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne (Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walter Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Lawrence Fishburne, and Michael Douglas.

Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Charles Newirth and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari wrote the screenplay.

DISNEY’S CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (Walt Disney Studios)

August 3, 2018

In the heartwarming live action adventure “Disney’s Christopher Robin,” the young boy who loved embarking on adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with a band of spirited and loveable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it’s up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS (Walt Disney Studios)

November 2, 2018 – #DisneysNutcracker

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets.

Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

November 21, 2018

“Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”

Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.

MARY POPPINS RETURNS (Walt Disney Studios)

December 25, 2018 – #MaryPoppinsReturns

In Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” an all new sequel with a fresh sensibility that celebrates the spirit of the original, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Emily Blunt (“The Girl on the Train,” “Into the Woods”) stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London. “Mary Poppins Returns” is directed by Rob Marshall (“Into the Woods,” “Chicago”). The screenplay is by David Magee (“Life of Pi”) and the screen story is by Magee & Marshall & John DeLuca (“Into the Woods”) based upon The Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are Marshall, DeLuca and Marc Platt (“La La Land”) with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer and the music is by Marc Shaiman (“Hairspray”) with songs by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray”). The film also stars Ben Whishaw (“Spectre”) as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer (“Hugo”) as Jane Banks; Julie Walters (“Harry Potter” films) as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; with Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep (“Florence Foster Jenkins”) as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy and introduces three new Banks’ children played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.

PL Travers first introduced the world to the no-nonsense nanny in her 1934 children’s book “Mary Poppins.” However, the subsequent adventures of Mary Poppins remained only on the pages of the seven other PL Travers’ books…until now. “Mary Poppins Returns” is drawn from the wealth of material in these additional books. The film takes place in 1930s Depression-era London 24 years after the original film was set. Michael Banks works for the same financial institution that employed his father and still lives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane with his three children, Annabel, John and Georgie and their housekeeper Ellen. Carrying on in her mother’s tradition, Jane Banks campaigns for workers’ rights and provides a helping hand to Michael’s family. When the family suffers a personal loss, Mary Poppins magically re-enters their lives and with Jack’s help, brings joy and wonder back into their home.

How amazing are all of these movies! Disney has done it again! :)

THOR: RAGNAROK – “Hela-ween” Inspired DIY Projects

Lolli — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 02:22:19 +0000

Who’s excited for THOR: RAGNAROK to come to theaters in just a few short days?! I’m excited to share these fun Thor-inspired activities. No compensation has been received for this post. Activities and photos were provided by Marvel Studios.

About Thor: Ragnarok

In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!

“Thor: Ragnarok” thunders into U.S. theaters November 3!!

Enjoy these fun DIY “Hela” inspired ideas including a pumpkin carving design, how to transform into “Hela” for under $25 and a delicious and fun candy apple recipe!

Check out this video on how to make an easy DIY “Hela’s Headdress”:

Download the PDF pattern for the headdress HERE.

Make this delicious “Mjolnir Candy Apples” Recipe:

Hela-inspired Pumpkin Carving

Are you carving pumpkins with your family this week? Check out this Hela-inspired pumpkin carving template!

Connect with Thor: Ragnarok

Like THOR: RAGNAROK on Facebook

Follow THOR: RAGNAROK on Twitter

Follow Marvel on Instagram

THOR: RAGNAROK opens in theaters everywhere November 3rd!

2017 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Slate

Lolli — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 03:14:11 +0000

You know how much I love Disney movies, right? My kids and I are thrilled to announce the Walt Disney Studios movies coming out this year. There’s so much to look forward to, and it’s hard to pick just one movie I’m most excited to see, but I think I’d have to say that I’m most eager to see Beauty and the Beast. I love the original animated movie and I can’t wait to see it come alive (and with Emma Watson as Belle?!).

Note: All information and images below are courtesy of Disney. No compensation has been received.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Walt Disney Studios)

March 17, 2017 | #BeautyAndTheBeast #BeOurGuest

ABOUT Beauty and the Beast: The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast,” the screenplay is written by Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman, p.g.a. and Todd Lieberman, p.g.a. with Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. “Beauty and the Beast” will be released in U.S. theaters on March 17, 2017.

BORN IN CHINA (Disneynature)

April 21, 2017 | #BornInChina

ABOUT Born in China: Narrated by John Krasinski (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”), Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born In China” takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film.

A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of red-crowned cranes, seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together. Opening in U.S. theaters on Earth Day 2017, “Born in China” is directed by accomplished Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, and produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (Marvel Studios)

May 5, 2017 | #GotGVol2

ABOUT Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel’s “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.

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

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES (Walt Disney Studios)

May 26, 2017 | #PiratesOfTheCaribbean #APiratesDeathForMe

ABOUT Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales: 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.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” also stars Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs, Golshifteh Farahani as the sea-witch Shansa, David Wenham as Scarfield, Stephen Graham as Scrum, and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa.

Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg are directing “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” with Jerry Bruckheimer producing. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Joe Caracciolo, Jr., Terry Rossio and Brigham Taylor. Jeff Nathanson wrote the screenplay. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” drops anchor in U.S. theaters on May 26, 2017.

CARS 3 (Disney / Pixar)

June 16, 2017 | #Cars3

ABOUT Cars 3: Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

THOR: RAGNAROK (Marvel Studios)

November 3, 2017 | #ThorRagnarok

ABOUT Thor: Ragnarok: In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!

“Thor: Ragnarok” is directed by Taika Waititi and returns Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.

Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. The story is by Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost and Stephany Folsom, and the screenplay is by Eric Pearson. “Thor: Ragnarok” thunders into U.S. theaters on November 3, 2017.

COCO (Disney / Pixar)

November 22, 2017 | #Coco

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII (Lucasfilm)

December 15, 2017 | #StarWarsVIII

Details, photos, and trailer coming soon (but you KNOW it’s going to be amazing!)

Which Disney movie are you most excited to see this year?

Doctor Strange: Another Marvel Masterpiece #DoctorStrange

Lolli — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 03:27:41 +0000

Doctor Strange is out in theaters! I repeat. Doctor Strange – the latest installment from the Marvel Universe – is in theaters now! I was invited to see an early screening of the film and was absolutely blown away. Although we received free admission to the screening, no other compensation has been received. All thoughts are my own. Photos and movie stills are courtesy of Marvel Studios.

What can I say about Doctor Strange? I was not familiar with the Doctor Strange back story before seeing the movie, so I didn’t go into the movie with any expectations (other than the expectation to enjoy Benedict Cumberbatch). I’ve really enjoyed all of the Marvel movies that have come out in the past few years, so for that reason alone I was excited to see it.

I went in to the movie theater not knowing much. I left the theater thinking that Doctor Strange was my favorite Marvel movie of all time.

Here’s a little background about Doctor Strange:

About Doctor Strange

From Marvel Studios comes “Doctor Strange,” the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

This is the scene that changed the movie for me. It had been good up til this point, but I loved how this encounter began to change Doctor Strange – how began to view the world differently from this moment on and how he also saw himself differently.

Wondering if you should head to the theater to see Doctor Strange? The answer is a firm YES. Go. Don’t hesitate. Just go see it. And if I may suggest….see it in IMAX 3D. I am usually not one to recommend 3D, let alone IMAX (hello, movies cost an arm and a leg as it is!) but Doctor Strange is a movie that should not only be experienced in the theater, it really should be experienced in IMAX 3D to get the full effect.

Like you would expect with superhero movies, Doctor Strange does have its share of violence/fighting along with a dark antagonist, so I would recommend parents viewing it first before taking kids (the movie is rated PG-13, so parental screening is usually recommended).

One of my favorite things about Doctor Strange was all of the fantastic, thought-provoking quotes. The Ancient One left me with many things to consider, and I could see this movie many deep discussions on the symbolism and parallels.

Who’s Who in Doctor Strange

DOCTOR STEPHEN STRANGE (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Doctor Stephen Strange was once a celebrated but arrogant surgeon, until a tragic accident cost him his medical skills and career. Searching for a way to restore his talents, he traveled the world until he finally encountered The Ancient One, the enigmatic teacher who offered to teach him the ways of the Mystic Arts.

MORDO (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
Like Doctor Strange, Karl Mordo was an apprentice of The Ancient One who learned the Mystic Arts and the paths of alternative dimensions. Complex and intense, he could well turn out to be a friend, a rival, or a bitter enemy to the Ancient One’s latest pupil.

DOCTOR CHRISTINE PALMER (Rachel McAdams)
Dr. Christine Palmer is a highly skilled trauma surgeon, who is not only Dr. Strange’s colleague but a friend as well. When the devastating accident that crippled Strange’s hands takes a toll on their relationship, Dr. Palmer comes to realize that Strange needs to rediscover his worth on his own. But she never dreamed of the unlikely path that he would one day walk—or how it would come crashing back into her own life.

WONG (Benedict Wong)
The keeper of Kamar-Taj’s vast library of mystical tomes, the no-nonsense Wong is tasked with not only deciding who is worthy of studying from The Ancient One’s private collection but also protecting the sacred incantations from falling into the wrong hands. While quiet and
unassuming, make no mistake—if someone were to try to steal from Wong’s library, they’d have to get through him first.

JONATHAN PANGBORN (Benjamin Bratt)
Strange seeks out Jonathan Pangborn, believing he might hold an important piece of information in his journey towards healing his hands.

KAECILIUS (Mads Mikkelsen)
Like many students at Kamar-Taj, Kaecilius arrived at the mystical compound seeking the secrets of The Multiverse. He turned his back on The Ancient One and her teachings when he believed certain knowledge was being kept from him. It’s within these forbidden powers Kaecilius sees the answer to all mankind’s suffering—the ability to alleviate the pains of the human condition. Kaecilius, joined by his Zealot followers, will use every malevolent tool at his disposal to see our reality melded with shadowy powers of this other dimension even if it leads to the destruction of existence as we know it.

THE ANCIENT ONE (Tilda Swinton)
The wise and enigmatic figure known only as The Ancient One has safeguarded the secrets of the Mystic Arts for a very long time indeed. When she encountered Stephen Strange, the centuries-old sage saw potential in the bedraggled ex-surgeon and agreed to show him a new side to reality: the mystical way of magic!

Cool Facts About Doctor Strange

Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” was shot in London, New York, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Hong Kong.
The Art Department was very important to helping realize the look of the film. At full capacity, it harbored 49 people working in drawing, sculpting, model making by hand, 3D printing and more. Approximately 800 drawings, 3000 concept drawings and 40 set models were created over the course of the film.
Steve Ditko’s comic book art influenced the environments that were created for the film.
When you watch the movie, you will notice that geometric patterns are present within the majority of sets.
21 sets were built for the shoot. There were many impressive, practical sets, including the largest set, The Kamar-Taj courtyard and street, which measured 160 ft. by 80 ft.
Up to 100 people worked in the costume department across prep and shoot.
The silhouette of the Cloak of Levitation is very important in the Marvel comic book world and the creation of the cloak was the biggest undertaking for Alexandra Byrne’s costume department, utilizing the skills of 20 people to do the task. Because of the
different uses during filming, 18 cloaks had to be made.
Doctor Strange’s car in the film is a Lamborghini, which he drives when he is a surgeon. Six Lamborghinis were required for filming.
One of the camera lenses used on the film had a cinematic history of its own, having been used on “Lawrence of Arabia.”
To research his character, Dr. Stephen Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch spent time with neurosurgeons, and the director, DP and production designer all visited New York City operating rooms and emergency rooms to guide them towards the lighting and textures
they would need to create a realistic hospital environment onscreen.

Filming in Nepal was difficult to keep under wraps because as it turns out many Nepalese are Benedict Cumberbatch fans from “Sherlock,” the BBC TV show he stars in. In Patan Durbar Square there was a crowd of hundreds chanting his name, so Cumberbatch went to an upstairs window overlooking the square to wave to the crowd, which went wild for him.
Some interior scenes were shot at historic Exeter College, part of the University of Oxford. J.R.R. Tolkien, among other notables, was an undergraduate at Exeter.
In the movie, the Sanctum Sanctorum’s address, 177A Bleecker Street, is a fictitious address and a nod to the comic books. It took roughly 10 months to finalize the design and details of the Sanctum Sanctorum foyer, utilizing the skills of five artists.
While filming in New York City, Benedict Cumberbatch, in full costume, went for an afternoon cup of tea between setups with his wife and some friends in a cafe in Greenwich Village. Even the usually nonplussed New Yorkers were surprised to have a Super Hero in their midst.
On a New York City street, just before production wrapped on the last scene of the film, Cumberbatch entered a comic book shop to say hello and quickly the moment was captured with selfies that went viral around the world.

The Hong Kong Street set was built outside on a service road at Longcross Studios in London and was 570 feet long. It was patterned after reference images the Art Department had gathered in Hong Kong. The set featured 35 shops, including restaurants, food stalls, dry cleaning, car mechanics, watch shop, butcher, herbal medicine, general stores, paper and printing.
The Hong Kong street scenes, one of the most challenging action sequences ever undertaken by Marvel Studios, were shot in several stages of destruction, commencing with clean and gradually becoming destroyed. This is the opposite of how it will be shown on screen, as it goes from destroyed to clean. This meant everything had to be aged down, from shop signs to vehicles. To help create the destruction, 350 tons of real rubble was used.

Connect with Doctor Strange

Like DOCTOR STRANGE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorStrangeMovie

Follow DOCTOR STRANGE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrStrange

Follow Marvel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel/

Visit the official DOCTOR STRANGE website here: https://marvel.com/doctorstrange

DOCTOR STRANGE is now playing in theatres everywhere! Go see it!

2016 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Schedule

Lolli — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:53:08 +0000

I am so excited to announce the official Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures schedule for 2016. The following images and information (including official boilerplates about the movies) was provided to me by Disney, but no compensation has been received. Amazon links are used. Excitement and opinions are my own. More information about these movies will be coming in throughout the year!

I love going to the movies. Love it! I wish I could see every movie in the theaters (with a big popcorn and soda, of course!) but I *do* have a few responsibilities that keep me away from the movie theater most days. There are SO MANY movies from Disney this coming year that I CAN’T WAIT to see. I love seeing the Disney movie release schedule laid out like this so I can envision the whole year. I think Doctor Strange and Captain America: Civil War top my list, and since Pete’s Dragon was one of my favorite movies from my childhood I’m eager to see how Disney remakes it. Which 2016 Disney movies are you most excited to see?

The Finest Hours

(Walt Disney Studios) – January 29, 2016 #TheFinestHours

A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is the remarkable true story of the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history. Presented in Digital 3D and IMAX® 3D, the film will transport audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully-immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale. Read the book before you see the movie!

Zootopia

(Walt Disney Animation Studios) – March 4, 2016 #Zootopia

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve
the mystery.

Check out all of the FUN books based on the movie here!

The Jungle Book

(Walt Disney Studios) – April 15, 2016 #JungleBook

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of selfdiscovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.

I’m sure you’ve seen the classic Disney animated movie by the same name, but have you ever read The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling?

Captain America: Civil War

(Marvel) – May 6, 2016 #CaptainAmericaCivilWar

After another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps, one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

Check out this comic book collection – Captain America Civil War! I wonder how closely the movie will follow the comic story.

Alice Through the Looking Glass

(Walt Disney Studios) – May 27, 2016 #DisneyAlice

In Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” an all-new spectacular adventure featuring the unforgettable characters from Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories, Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter. Directed by James Bobin, who brings his own unique vision to the spectacular world Tim Burton created on screen in 2010 with “Alice in Wonderland,” the film is written by Linda Woolverton based on characters created by Lewis Carroll and produced by Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd and Jennifer Todd and Tim Burton with John G. Scotti serving as executive producer. “Alice Through the Looking Glass” reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon, including: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to several new characters: Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father and Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock.

Finding Dory

(Disney / Pixar) – June 17, 2016 #FindingDory

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale? Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), the film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.

Who’s planning on watching Finding Nemo again a few times before seeing Finding Dory??

The BFG

(Walt Disney Studios) – July 1, 2016 #TheBFG

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic book “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

Pete’s Dragon

(Walt Disney Studios) – August 12, 2016 #PetesDragon

A young orphan seeks refuge from his abusive adoptive parents with the help of a pet dragon and a couple who live in a lighthouse. Remake of the classic Disney movie from the 1970s.

Queen of Katwe

(Walt Disney Studios) – Fall 2016 #QueenOfKatwe

A young girl from Uganda trains to become a world chess champion. The book – The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl’s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster by Tim Crothers – is based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a teenage chess prodigy from the slums of Kampala, Uganda.

Doctor Strange

(Marvel) – November 4, 2016 #DoctorStrange

After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil. Doctor Strange has been all over Marvel comics for years, but I can’t wait to see Benedict Cumberbatch take on the role!

Moana

(Walt Disney Animation Studios) – November 23, 2016 #Moana

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

(Lucasfilm) – December 16, 2016 #RogueOne

Rebels set out on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.

The Light Between Oceans

(DreamWorks Pictures) – TBD 2016 #TheLightBetweenOceans

A lighthouse keeper and his wife living off the coast of Western Australia raise a baby they rescue from an adrift rowboat. The Light Between Oceans is based on the New York Times bestseller by M.L. Stedman.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron On Blu-ray Plus Q&A with the Actors

Lolli — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 02:00:12 +0000

Avengers: Age of Ultron is finally on 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital SD and On-Demand. I received a digital copy of the movie last week when I met with Disney Movies Anywhere, but all thoughts are my own. Note: all photos courtesy of Marvel.

ABOUT MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON: Marvel Studios reunites Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the unprecedented movie event, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Iconic heroes are forced to reassemble and face their most intimidating enemy yet – ULTRON. Pushed to the brink of their physical and emotional limits, the team must recruit both new heroes and familiar allies to face an escalating danger that threatens the entire planet.

Bonus Clip: Concept of Vision

Vision was my favorite new character in Avengers: Age of Ultron, especially after meeting Paul Bettany in LA before the film came to theaters.

And now for a few “bonus” Q&A with some of the Avengers!

Q&A With the Avengers

What’s new about your characters in Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron?

CHRIS HEMSWORTH: In Age Of Ultron, we see a more grounded, earthly version of Thor than we have in the past. It is nice because there are a few more opportunities to showcase some humor and see him in some casual gear instead of the red cape and armor.

How does it feel to portray a different version of the character compared to the Thor we’ve seen in previous movies?

CHRIS HEMSWORTH: I wanted to get back to the fun he had in the first film. I wanted to make him a little more grounded. I wanted to humanize him a bit. It’s very easy for these characters to become un-relatable and exist off in the stratosphere – but this was about making him more human. You can see this in one of the first scenes where the rest of The Avengers are trying to pick up his hammer in casual clothes. You think, ‘What do these guys do when they’re not saving the world?’ Well, now you know. That was fun for me. Any time we got to do things like that and to play around, that was the best part for me.

How does it feel to play a female superhero in a male dominated world, Scarlett?

SCARLETT JOHANSSON: I just go through the script and look at my parts – and those are the only parts I read. What’s great about playing this character is that she is based on something deep and something I could hold onto. She’s very real. She’s experienced a lot of trauma and she’s never really been able to make active choices for herself – but now she is and she’s ready for it.

You were pregnant when you shot the movie. How did you prepare for the physical role and the challenging motorcycle scenes?

SCARLETT JOHANSSON: I don’t think you’re allowed to ride a motorcycle when you’re pregnant. I embarrassingly rode some sort of mechanical bull-type of motorcycle, which goes nowhere and doesn’t look cool at all! But we had some very professional and amazing motocross work being done that makes Black Widow look like a total badass.

Every Marvel movie brings something new and different to its audience. What does Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron bring to the world this time?

ROBERT DOWNEY JR.: Having new people in the cast is great. We now have Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. We have Paul Bettany, who’s been the voice of Jarvis all along, but now he gets to do something new with a character named Vision. And I think James Spader was a brilliant piece of casting for Ultron.

What’s it like to work with James Spader?

ROBERT DOWNEY JR.:There are a lot of full circles going on with this movie. Probably the most personal one is James Spader. He was the first person I saw when I came to Los Angeles and he really took me under his wing. He’s just a couple years older than me, but I think it was a very inspired casting choice [to have him in the movie]. Not just because he’s on everyone’s lips and minds again, but he really is a bit of an American treasure. I’ve certainly borrowed from his style more than a few times over the years.

What was it like to have Paul Bettany on the set of the movie this time?

ROBERT DOWNEY JR.: Another great full circle moment in this film is Paul Bettany coming in as Vision. Paul’s been essentially with me from the beginning and it was so nice to actually get him on set instead of at the premieres. He’s an amazing actor and it’s a fantastic character.

Buy Avengers: Age of Ultron now to add to your movie collection! **Includes Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, Making-of Featurettes, Gag Reel and Audio Commentary**

Connect with The Avengers:

Facebook Avengers:https://www.facebook.com/avengers
Marvel: https://www.facebook.com/Marvel
Iron Man: https://www.facebook.com/IronMan
Captain America: https://www.facebook.com/CaptainAmerica
Thor: https://www.facebook.com/Thor
Hulk: https://www.facebook.com/Hulk
Disney Movies Anywhere: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyMoviesAnywhere
Twitter @Avengers: https://twitter.com/Avengers
@Marvel: https://twitter.com/Marvel
@Iron_Man: https://twitter.com/Iron_Man
@CaptainAmerica: https://twitter.com/CaptainAmerica
@ThorMovies: https://twitter.com/ThorMovies
@DisneyAnywhere: https://twitter.com/DisneyAnywhere
Tumblr – Marvel: https://marvelentertainment.tumblr.com | DMA: https://disneymoviesanywhere.tumblr.com
Instagram – https://instagram.com/marvel/ | https://instagram.com/therealagentm
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MARVEL