Monthly Archives: November 2014

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Disney_BigHero6_Poster_BaymaxBig Hero 6 is a fun adventure film for kids that features superheroes that get their superpowers from real science rather than fiction. Set in the make-believe mash-up city of San Fransokyo, the film follows young robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada as he tries to uncover the truth behind his brother's demise. At his side is the personal healthcare robot Baymax, who really does steal the show, (and your heart), along with a group of his geeky pals, each with their own scientific specialty. I enjoyed the magnificently detailed city environments. It was fun to see how they merged two different cultures to make a futuristic San Francisco with an Asian flare. While the story was tight and it hit all the right marks, it wasn't always as entertaining as I hoped it would be. It's still at least a great looking film, with a positive message and some heartwarming moments, mainly thanks to the adorable Baymax.

3 Stars (out of 5)

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P1010860On a brisk November Florida morning I was able to grab some more pictures of the construction progress at Project 340 in Islands of Adventure. Things are moving right along as the wall continues to be completed along the front. The building has already grown 20% wider since I last saw it, bringing it all the way behind the Thunder Falls Terrace restaurant now. You can see new steel arriving and being assembled along the front wall. My guess is this will be the skeleton for the massive amount of rock-work and temple facade we can expect for this structure. There are many footers in place surrounding the front of the building where the facade will most likely be installed. Check out the pictures below from today's update. ...continue reading →

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birdman-poster1An incredible work of art that manages to feel unabashedly real while at the same time appearing profoundly surreal. Superb acting from Keaton as a washed-up actor trying to mount a Broadway play comeback while his inner ego tries to take control and change his destiny. In the end it's a film about leaving your mark on this world, with some commentary on the current state of entertainment and the overblown superhero film franchise phenomenon happening now. The star of the movie is really the incredible camera work and special effects, creating a seamless single take for the entire film, even though it covers several days of time. The film plays like a play, but with an intense beating pace, set to unnerving jazzy drums.

4 Stars (out of 5)

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interstellar-imax-posterAn epic cinematic adventure rooted in some true science that seems more like outlandish fiction. This film is riveting from start to finish. The action sequences are intense yet the visuals are as serene and beautiful as 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Thanks to consulting producer Kip Thorne, an esteemed astrophysicist, most of the science of Interstellar is on point, something I was not expecting, but was pleasantly surprised to see. We get to see a black hole in the most realistic manner ever on film and it's gorgeous. They explain Einstein's relativity by having characters experience time differently depending on the effect of gravity where they are. Much like Inception where 10 minutes in one dream and years in another level, here we have a planet where 1 hour is equal to 7 years back home, yet, in this instance it's based in actual science, not fiction! Interstellar may not be Nolan's best film, but for a nerd like me, it's an experience I'll always treasure.

4 Stars (out of 5)

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The first wall is starting to appear on the front side of the show building for Project 340, which may (or may not) be a new ride coming to Islands of Adventure named Kong: Terror of Skull Island. The structure is nearly twice as wide and deep as it was the last time I visited and a lot of internal elements have been added as well. What appears to be catwalks and different rooms/sections are being created within.

The structure is around six stories tall and continues to grow wider by the day, edging closer and closer towards the Thunder Falls Terrace restaurant in Jurassic Park. It's hard to get a sense from photos just how massive this building is so far, especially considering it is much farther back away from the footpath as it appears. Even with it so far away I cannot seem to get the entire thing in a single photograph. Look at the workers in the photos to get a sense of size. Check out the current progress below in my biggest photo update thus far. ...continue reading →

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Nightcrawler_Movie_PosterA well-crafted psychological thriller that made me feel just as uncomfortable watching it as I was excited to see what happened next. Jake Gyllenhaal is haunting as the sociopathic Lou Bloom. Lou is an immoral man looking for his place in the world when he stumbles into the profession of freelance cameraman. The world of local news accepts him with open arms, despite the fact that his methods aren't always the most ethical. He is after all just giving viewers what they want, and they want carnage, blood, and spectacle. And he's willing to get it at any cost. The film is shot well, paced nicely, and chock-full of interesting set-pieces guaranteed to leave you unsettled and entertained. I look forward to more films from first time director Dan Gilroy.

4 Stars (out of 5)