Joe Sergi's Cup of Geek
 
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I wrote this review a long time ago and realized I never posted it.  But, since the film is being released on Blu Ray and DVD today, I have another bite at the apple.

Planet 51 is a creative idea.  Unfortunately, the movie fails in its execution with a formulaic exercise of film making.

The complete discussion, after the jump.
 
 
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I had a chance to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland the other day. (judging by the opening box office--I wasn't the only one).  A couple of co-workers caught a 3-D viewing at the Regal Cinemas in Gallery Place.   I have never really been a Tim Burton fan--he's a little too weird for me.  I don't hate his movies, I just wish that he would take the weird darkness down a notch.  Despite this, I enjoyed Alice in Wonderland.

The complete discussion after the jump.

 
 
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Let' talk about Smallville.  The show pretty much takes place in Metropolis. Clark Kent (sans glasses) works as Daily Planet reporter with Lois Lane and has met pretty much defeated every major Superman villain. Finally, according to mythos, Clark Kent should have donned tights and cape to fly up up and away several seasons ago. 

Nonetheless, the WB has announced that Smallville will receive a tenth season. I'm actually pretty happy about this.  The current season (with the exception of a couple clunker) has been pretty good.  I hope this additional season will allow Laura Vandervoort to return as Supergirl, they never really gave that character a chance.     

The official press release after the jump.
 
Ponyo on Blu Ray 03/04/2010
 
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We picked up the Blu Ray of Ponyo yesterday.  It's a beautiful movie, but surprisingly light on extra features (especially for a Disney release).

I previously reviewed the film here.
 
 
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I will be debuting my new novel, Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy at this years CGS Supershow.  The show is run by those great guys at the Comic Geek Speak podcast and is held in Reading Pennsylvania on March 27-28th.  They have some great guests and, based on past experience, it will be a fun intimate atrmosphere.  So, If you are near the area, you really should come and check out the show.

Click here for more information.   
 
 
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I took my daughter, Elizabeth, to see Feld Entertainment's Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show at the Patriot Center over the weekend.  As with most of the Disney Live! shows, the plot revolved around main characters traveling around to find people for a show. This time, the Fab Four (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy) are joined by an MC/cast member. Together, they take a magical car ride to recruit Disney characters for their Talent Show.  During their journey, they meet: Cinderella and her evil Step-Sisters from Cinderella; the green army men, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody from Toy Story; and Tigger from Winnie the Pooh.
  
And while this show features considerably less characters than other Disney Live! Productions, the musical numbers were fun enough for the adults and mesmerizing for the kids.  I was very impressed with the MC/cast member who not only sang, danced, hosted, and warmed up the audience, but he also moved all the set pieces--he was clearly the hardest working man in the Patriot Center that night. 

But, the real magic was the effect that this show (and pretty much anything Disney) has on my daughter.  Watching Elizabeth light up when she saw her favorite characters on stage was well worth the price of admission. She intently watched the characters and became engrossed in their plight as she sang with Cinderella, laughed with Goofy and bounced with Tigger (who she promptly pronounced is her new favorite character).  It is a memory I will have forever.
 
 
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I saw signs for this in my recent trip to Los Angeles.  I travel a lot to the west coast and will be sure to take advantage of this.  I wish Disneyland did something similar.  The press release follows after the jump.
 
 
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Last week, Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort announced plans for a summer celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  This new celebration includes: the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom (It has been in Disney's California Adventure and actually hasn't been on Main Street for some time); a new fireworks show and new effects for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney's Hollywood Studio (NEE MGM).

More after the jump.
 
 
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I've been on the road and haven't had a chance to post on this topic.  Clearly, the biggest news in comics last week was DC's new leadership.  As you may recall, a few months ago WB announced that it would be restructuring to create DC Entertainment (For more info click here), which would be run by  Diane Nelson, the movie executive that oversaw the Harry Potter franchise at Warner Brothers.  The company also announced that it would be removing long time DC Publisher Paul Levitz.  There was a lot of speculation of whether this would be the death knell of traditional comics publishing at DC.

We need not have feared.  DC announced that Dan DiDio  and Jim Lee will be taking the reigns as co-publishers.  This was a smart decision by Nelson and a great move for the company.  And while I will certainly miss Paul Levitz, both Lee and DiDio are respected and established comic book staples.  Together,  I believe will usher DC into a new era of greatness.  Of course, this probably means that we will never see the end of Frank Miller and Jim Lee's All Star Batman and Robin, which has been plagued with delays.

Equally interesting, DC has decided to take a page from Disney's book and promote Geoff Johns to the position of Chief Creative Officer.  (In April 2006, Disney purchased Pixar named John Lasseter as Chief Creative Officer of both Pixar and Disney animation studios--it worked out pretty well for them :-).  I only hope that Johns' new title doesn't distract from his top notch writing and that he at least continues to be the writer on Green Lantern.

Congrats to everyone at DC.

The press release after the jump:
 
 
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I was digging through my old email and found an invitation from Marvel.com to attend the previews of Spider-man musical.  That was over a year ago. The show was delayed and then they were forced to refund the ticket priced for the premiere.  I am assumed the project was dead and went the way of the Captain America musical (see the ad at left) I often wonder what happened to the poor little kid who won the contest to be on stage with Captain American.

But I digress.

Back on point, After the jump.