Spotted ...

Yesterday in the city a Mickey Mouse T-shirt with The Union Jack as shoes. Guy wearing it was walking up Adelaide street from Creek St Brisbane.

'Tangled' 2nd; 'Tron Legacy' 11th - OZ Box Office

Well, I can't believe it. A pathetic movie like 'Yogi Bear' has out stripped 'Tangled' to take position 1 at the Australian Box Office. 1/2 a million separated the pair. I went to 'Yogi Bear' to appease a youngedr child - waste of time.

Anyway, 'Tangled' came in at no 2, with $3.4 million and has raked in $13.4 million to date. That is just shy of 'Tron Legacy' whcih came in at no 11 this week. The takings were 1/2 million. The total take is $13.6 million.

Keep smiling

Powered by Zoundry Raven

'Tangled' Number 1 at Aussie Box Office

The movie 'Tangled' has opened with $5.8 million to debut at number 1. This is great to see.

Tron Legacy is also still going strong, it was at number 8, with around $1 million takings. That total taking in Australia is $12.5 Million. To it's credit the movie is still playing at the Cinemas so even though Tron was not a huge hit initially it has had legs.

Let's see what 'Gnomeo and Juliette' does in February.

Powered by Zoundry Raven

Slow posts, been distracted ....

As you can understand the flooding in Brisbane Australia has been huge. The past week has been one of fascination and sadness. Hopefully things and priorities will return to normal soon.

A lot of people are not covered by insurance in this very difficult time. Please donate to the QLD Flood Appeal.

To be continued ...

Spotted

Last night on the TV a girl, part of the Brisbane clean up Scott, was spotted with a Bambi t-shirt.

Another today at the Beenleigh Marketplace, was wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt.

The Queensland Floods

I live on the outskirts Brisbane so I am a lucky one. Please get in and help with what will be a massive clean up. If you can lend a hand please assist when the call comes, if you are not able then please give to the Fundraising efforts as there will be thousands in trouble after this event. Most people will not be covered under insurance and will lose everything.

All my Disney friends please help out.

Spotted ...

Spotted on the train as I got off at Beenleigh. A girl wearing a tank top shirt with what appears to be a picture of a Mouseteer from the 1950's tv show. The shirt was a front shot with a slight turn of the head, wearing the mouse ears and surrounded by stars.

The Mouseteer had blonde curly hair, it was not Annette, and if I am right it was Cheryl Holdridge.

I will keep these type of spotted blogs as it is cool to see people wearing Disney gear. Now just need courage to get a photo of them wearing it.

Location:Beenleigh train station

Disney Competitions - my pet pain!

One of the most annoying things about living 'down under' is when a new competition is announced in the US for a Disney trip, benefits and other cool stuff that I am ineligible for due to being 14000 km away.

The pain comes at having to always read the 'fine print' and realise that all the comps are valid to all 50 US states and territorities. What has really sparked this is the new deals from D23. When this product became available 2 years ago, I was stoked at the chance to sign up. But when I really looked into it, I was paying for a membership that only sends out a magazine every quarter, as the other benefits were all dedicated to those in the US! The costs to buy in were too expensive. I know the magazine is beautifully presented but why should Ihave to pay nearly 3 times to get just a magazine. It is far too hard to get to the Annaul Conference due to distance and cost.

There are times when I just wish that Disney Australia would push more. It just seems that the presence in this country is getting smaller and smaller. Yes we have the Disney Channel and Saturday Disney - my kids watch the Disney Channel everyday, so it has a keen base of support. But when i went looking the other day for a contact to ask for some products for a fundraising event, it went to the US to be handled! WT....!

I remember when the Disney Stores were open here, they were constantly full with people, yet when they decided to close stores, all the Aussie ones went, mush to the displeasure of people who regularly shopped there.

They have now introduced Movie rewards, but the chance of getting something will take years based onthe points they have allocated.

I just wish there were more opportunities in this country to explore options for an official fan club with real benefits for me and all other Disney supporters in this country.

Cars 2 update

Thanks to LaughingPlace for the heads up.

Empire magazine online publishes a new collection of character profiles for "Cars 2" and video.

Link

My Disney History page

I have decided it is time to reflect on why I have such a passion for all things Disney. This page will be a work in progress as I try to remember and reflect on those moments that have provided so much joy. From my first meeting with a Disney character, listening to a recording of 'Peter Pan' on my Aunt's record player to fulfiling a dream of getting to Disneyland in 1996, 2000 and 2010!

I hope you find it enjoyable and learn soem cool stuff in the process.

My brain hurts now from digging up the past.

Only the bad news

As the years pass by, I become more and more cynical towards the media. It is very hard in Australia to get any news on Disney operations, but when something nasty comes up, the media here eats it alive.

The one that has sparked this blog is the Donald Duck alleged groping incident at Walt Disney World. To me this sort of publicity is bad, but the fact that the personin question has post traumatic stress fromtheincident and is now suing Disney is disappointing.

If the allegation is true than so be it, but to get this sort of public information in this country is just annoying. You never hear about the cool things that Disney are doing like the Hawaii Resort, or the moving forward of Shanghai Disneyland park. No it is always the sad state of affairs that make the big news.

In Australia we call this the 'Tall Poppy Syndrome', where those that have make it big are cut down to make them just remember who they are, and they are not above the rest of us. There are times when I feel that some things are best unsaid, as this court case has now got international attention that in 95% of other similar incidents would go unnoticed.

The media coverage links:

3AW radio
Courier Mail newspaper

'Tangled' reviewed - Brilliant (4.5 stars) - Must see

OMG! Wow! Amazing! Fantastic! Brilliant! Walt Disney Animation is back in business! 50 animated movies and we have hit the mark again!

Have just come from the 'Tangled 3D' early preview and it has lived up to the hype. This is a return to the 90's stories. I loved 'The Princess and The Frog', but it lacked something. It wasn't until seeing 'Tangled' that I realised what is was, Disney do fantasy tales and struggle with real life type stories. I will come back to this later.

John Lasseter has taken a wonderful story and weaved a magical film. The opening sequence of the tale is capivating and provides a great plot line. We all know how it will end but you don't really care as it is great story telling with a lot of fun thrown in.

I loved how there were hidden treasures to find - hidden mickeys - the closet from 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Cinderella's' dress making stand, 'The Ugly Duckling' hidden plug, and I am sure at one point there was veiw of the cooking area that resembled that of dwarfs stove alcove in'Snow White and the Seven Drawfs'. I was also told that I missed the real hidden mickey during the cave evacuation.

The surprise package is thinking that Maximus (the horse) and Flynn (the hero) are pals from the marketing campaign. All I can say, all is not how it appears. The comic relief of Maximus is just brilliant and you laugh at everything he does. When Flynn and Maximus finally team up the laughs really kick in. I also liked the cute behaviour of Maximus when he first confronts Rapunzel and Flynn.

Then there was Pascal, the little comic relief, who was more like Rapunzel's alter ego, egging her on when needed and being their when things go wrong. He even gets a sympathetic 'Aw' in the movie when he cops a beating from 'Mother Gothel'. He is charming and loveable, I know my youngest wants one!

Rapunzel is a great character. Child like from being locked away for so long. Confronting fears and showing how the new experiences are affecting her. To get so involved in a character and just want to keep watching her every move is a true reflection on how well the character has been developed. Mandy Moore does a great job with her character.

Flynn too is a great, fun character. I loved the part where he gets to explain how he became Flynn and the undertones of Errol Flynn, the 1940's movie star. You just like Flynn from the start, he is swashbuckling and a rogue at heart. He is cheeky and sophisitacted. He certainly cops a beating when he enters the tower - some very funny moments when he is captured. Let's say the shorts are just the start of the capture. Zachary Levi is great as Flynn, who knew he could sing. I am a fan of 'Chuck' and I was surprised when I heard he was the actor behind the voice. Great chioce.

If I had any failings with this movie it would be 3D. I know it is the next way to see movies, but it would have been just as great in 2D. Some of the music was a little sappy and misplaced, such as the dream song in the 'Rogue Lair'. But as a whole that would be the only down point for me.

To my thoughts on why this movie is leaps ahead of 'The Princess and The Frog'. 'Tangled' takes us to a previous world where we get lost in fantasy. One where Castles and wants to be a princess/prince reign. The tower Rapunzel is locked in is a throw back to the old style of animation. I felt like I was looking at 'The Old Mill' with the style of it.It was simple yet imposing in the middle of a hidden grove. The tower is just a magical place that you want to explore. The story of Rapunzel is in the same vein as 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', 'Cinderella', 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Beauty and the Beast'. It transports you to a mystical world that provide an escape from reality.

This is where 'The Princess and The Frog' failed. Don't get me wrong I loved TPATF, but it was too close to reality and you get a little lost and unsympathetic to her desires and goals towards the end. TPATF is a great story, but you don't get lost in the magic of it. Yes she has dreams but they are too real and Disney is about being lost in another world, where we can forget who we are. It is why 'Peter Pan' worked and 'Returned to Neverland' failed to hit the mark.

It has taken 16 movies for Disney to regain it passion back since 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', yes there was 'Mulan' and 'Lilo and Stitch' in between, but I think this movie will push in Wave 3 of Disney animation. Lets hope it continues as the movie public has definitiely voted with their feet. This preview was sold out and the demographics was great. I saw old, young, families, teenagers and early twenties people attending, everyone laughed and I don't think they left unhappy.

I have a real desire to see this again as there was a lot to take in and you can miss some of it. But to be honest it is a great, fun story that you just want to see again.

Bravo Disney and John Lasseter - keep them coming.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

New image of Jack Sparrow on cover of Empire magazine

Thanks to LaughingPlace.com for this link
Empire magazine coverpage

I went a shopping and found ...

Went to Coles at Beenleigh to do our fortnightly shopping. While wandering through the store I came across a discounted tangelos 'Buddy Figures' from 'Toy Story 3'. The cool part was that they were discounted to a $1 a toy.

I now have 7 new figurines in bags to add to my collection. I love it when Disney items are discounted and cool finds!

Surprise package

Sometimes when you least expect it you find a little treasure. Thanks to my brother I was able to exchange my gifts for 'Bolt' on Blu-ray and then found my treasure.

I still can't believe that this treasure was still out there on DVD. The DVD is 'Return To Oz'. I liked this movie when I first saw it as Tick-tock was cool and it added some other dimensions to the original film. Not the greatest Disney Film made but it was good family viewing.

Thanks to my bro for allowing to exchange the Xmas gift for a hard to find treasure.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year to everyone

Location:Beaudesert-Beenleigh Rd,Brisbane,Australia