2014
Disneyland Resort launched its Holiday season
Courtesy : Disney
The Disneyland Resort launched its Holiday season with a ceremonial lighting of “it’s a small world” Holiday on Nov. 13. The Gallardo family, whose daughter Maya, 13, has been treated at cancer research hospital, City of Hope, had the honor of turning on the lights. The Gallardo Family is from La Habra in Orange County. Siemens is the corporate sponsor of the “it’s a small world” attraction. From Nov. 13, 2014 – Jan 6, 2015, the season shines more brightly than ever at the Anaheim, Calif., resort with sparkling décor, the “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular, and a nightly snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. New this year, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” join “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. The holiday experiences also include the madcap celebration of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park, the breathtaking “World of Color – Winter Dreams” holiday spectacular and the festive “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” at Disney California Adventure park.
The brothers’ relationships in a great film “Private Peaceful”
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos Agency
Private Peaceful, a feature film directed by Pat O’Connor (Dancing at Lughnasa, Sweet November). Adapted from the best-selling novel by former children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), the World War I film stars two of the UK’s most promising young actors, Jack O’Connell (Starred Up, Unbroken) and George Mackay (Pride, Defiance), and features Richard Griffiths’ (The Harry Potter series, The History Boys) final performance.
Class conflict, broken hearts, self-sacrifice in the World War I in a great story of youth of that time which has been very well structured in plot and characters in a scale story. The best part as a viewer was when Charlie marries his brother’s true love. He learns that Thomas loves her and wants her to have his child. It was too late of course, because Charlie was already a father. Disgrace, passion, brotherhood, excites all the feelings and fear by allowing the viewer to sculpt the world is offers.
Midnight’s Children will set you up at night
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos: Courtesy
A film by Oscar®-nominated director Deepa Mehta, based on the universally heralded novel by world-renowned author Salman Rushdie and adapted by Rushdie himself (who also serves as the film’s all-knowing narrator), MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN is a tale at once sweeping in scope and intimate in tone. Full of heartbreak, hope, comedy, tragedy and a considerable amount of magic, the film conjures characters and images as rich and unforgettable as the vast nation it celebrates.
At the stroke of midnight on August 15th, 1947, as India declares independence from Great Britain, two babies are switched at birth by a nurse in a Bombay hospital. And so it is that Saleem Sinai (portrayed as an adult by SatyaBhabha), the bastard child of a beggar woman, and Shiva, the only son of a wealthy couple, are fated to live the destinies meant for each other. Over the next three decades, Saleem and Shiva find themselves on opposite sides of many a conflict, whether it be because of class, politics, romantic rivalry, or the constantly shifting borders that are drawn every time neighbors become enemies and decide to split their newborn nation into two, and then three, warring countries. Through it all, the lives of Saleem and Shiva are mysteriously intertwined. They are also inextricably linked to the history of India itself, which takes them on a whirlwind journey full of trials, triumphs and disasters.
This movie is at once a fascinating family saga and an astonishing evocation of a vast land and its people–a brilliant incarnation of the universal human comedy. Midnight’s Children stands apart as both an epochal work of fiction and a brilliant performance by one of the great director Deepa who makes a mix of magical thinking and political reality. Despite of certain sensitive topics and passages are crafted with amazing skill, and the narrator is a pleasant enough fellow. Great movie with great Indian taste!
Griffith Observatory Honors Councilmember Tom Labonge with “BIG BANG” celebration
By Jenny Álvarez
Photos Alfonso De Elías
It was a celebration for a councilman Tom Labonge who has done a lot for the L.A. community for the past 40 years, especially helping the Griffith Observatory. Therefore there were few auctions to donate money so was surrounded by many wealthy people and politicians. The event celebrated LaBonge’s distinguished service to the Los Angeles community and his stature as a Star of Stars at Griffith Observatory. Actor Neal McDonough and KTLA 5 Morning News host Lynette Romero were Masters of Ceremony for the festive event. Definitely was a great social event with the best and distinguished people.
Whiplash will be electrifying
By Jenny Alvarez
Photo Courtesy
Andrew Neyman (Milles Teller) is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of the east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man’s life. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability – and his sanity. During 1 hr. 46 min, this great Director and writer Damien Chazelle shows a tremendous with excellent psychological intensity in the main characters especially when some experience becomes in wisdom for certain talents. Especially when Andrew is a dedicated student with big dreams of becoming one of the greatest jazz drummers but J.K. Simmons demands the best effort even in some moments looks like disharmony in each other. In few words is a well structured movie drama with intensity, vulnerability, and depth in feelings and ambition. Good ambience and locations but the best part is the background music. Definitely is a mind game and a film that reflects our way in life.
Gwen Stefani visited Disney
Courtesy Disneyland
Gwen Stefani meets Sulley from the Disney-Pixar films ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and ‘Monsters University’ at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday. The ‘Halloween Time’ celebration at the Disneyland Resort, which features special attractions, decor and entertainment, continues through October 31, 2014. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)
Gwen Stefani and her sons, Kingston (right) and Zuma, and niece, Stella, meet Sulley from the Disney-Pixar films ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and ‘Monsters University’ at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday. The ‘Halloween Time’ celebration at the Disneyland Resort, which features special attractions, decor and entertainment, continues through October 31, 2014. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)
You will have the scariest night ever at Knott’s Scary Farm
By Jenny Álvarez
Photos and video Alfonso De Elías
For all my readers I’m not a big fan of horror and haunted attractions, but I have to say, that with the exception of only one other haunt, I would say that Knott’s was my favorite thus far. This year was surprising because the organizers decided to have only two shows: The Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira – she will headline her all new show Elvira’s Big Top, in the 1,800 seat Charles M. Schultz Theatre twice nightly for the entire run of Knott’s Scary Farm and The Hanging: Everything is Gruesome: a live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A real and creepy parody. However in my opinion, Elvira becomes the “Ring Mistress of the Park” dazzling audiences with music, madness and mayhem in her Sinister Circus of the Macabre, full of jokes. My favorite of both was Elvira because has performances by Brett Loudermilk, a sword swallower, and Bonnie Morgan, a contortionist, both of whom were really the highlights of the show.
Other of the best attractions for 2014 was the interactive Zombie war, where groups of guests will be armed with specially designed laser guns to fend off the zombie infestation or named Special Ops: Infected seamlessly integrates interactive gaming technology with an immersive mountainous landscape, delivering a breakthrough interactive haunted experience that is as terrifying as it is challenging. Missions will take guests through a variety of wilderness terrains, including unpredictable barrel bridges across a rushing river, through dark caverns, and mysterious backwoods. Six acres of the beloved theme park is now home to mutinous, scream-inducing zombies, and the time has come for a harrowing Special Ops survival mission.
I also have to remark El Dia De Los Muertos (created in 2013) some monsters do not hide, but stand there waiting for people in plain sight. Towards the end, it gets a little better with the Aztec-type skeletons coming at you this was really wonderful and people with Hispanic heritage will appreciate a small tribute to this attraction. I liked how detailed some of their costumes were and make up as well.
Here are more details of the new attractions of this year:
Voodoo: Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes. Guests must choose their path from a number of foreboding choices, resulting in a different terrifying outcome with each journey into the swamp.
The Tooth Fairy: The joy of hiding a lost tooth under the pillow becomes a nightmare of pain and blood in this new maze that will leave teeth chattering. This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the massive tooth fairy, himself. Say aahhh.
Trapped: Lock and Key: This year Trapped returns with more rooms, more intricate puzzles and a shocking finale more extreme than any experience ever.
I loved the fact that most of the actors still haunt in that area even though its deserted makes it even creepier so becomes this place in a magical experience.
More of the attractions
The Gunslinger’s Grave: Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township.
Black Magic The veil between the living and the dead is severed when Houdini’s ghost materializes during a séance and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes on his theater.
Dominion of the Damned: The Blood Queen’s reign has ended, but the seductive vampires continue to lure unsuspecting guests into this gothic lair of terror. Ancient vampire lore decrees there shall always be one to rule the damned… Long live the King!
Forevermore: The twisted mind of Edgar Allen Poe comes alive as the “Forevermore Killer” works his way through one haunting tale after another. All the victims unwittingly find themselves a part of “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” The Masque of Red Death” among other horrific stories.
Pinocchio Unstrung: Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, and Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters. The purpose of his killing spree – human flesh to cover his twisted wooden body. Revenge comes with no strings attached.
Trick-Or-Treat: Trick or treat, will step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell. Oh, she is home, but where? You are not quite sure. Don’t be afraid, her minions will guide you.
Witch’s Keep: Many years ago, The Green Witch uncovered a wicked source of power in the depths of the Calico Mine, and now she’s hell-bent on using this mysterious energy to capture and corrupt all who dare enter.
Scare zones were fun with the occasional seasoned monster screaming and sliding by. The best part is watching people being chased by them. There were a lot of families with kids so while I wouldn’t recommend taking your kids here but in general I appreciate and love the effort put into it by the actors and organizers who do the event every year so made it more intense and definitely you will have a fun time!
