MiceChat - Entertainment Lounge

Goodbye Queen of Daytime Television

Goover — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:06:08 GMT

Just minutes ago Oprah announced to the Las Angeles region via her talkshow that season 25 (starting january) will infact be her last.

She said the show had become her life and she will greatly miss her "yellow brick road of blessings."

I'm 16 and personally grew up with this show in my living room every day after school. Hearing the news brought tears to my eyes and an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.

YouTube- Oprah Says Goodbye

Please discuss here.

Disney Project Aims to Play Film on Any Device (Key Chest)

Gone2Disneyland — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:06:45 GMT

Not sure if this should be in this section or the business section, but I didn't find it mentioned on MiceChat during a quick scan. And I'm interested in what folks in the Entertainment Lounge think about this. I just learned about it from someone at work today, but apparently it was announced last month.

I like having the hard media and love to collect the different kinds of packaging, plus I think the quality of the downloads would be as high a quality as is available on hard media. So I don't think I'll be a big consumer of this. But that's just me. I think the majority will be folks not like me, and this may be a big hit for Disney over time. What do you think?

Quote:

Walt Disney Co. will launch new technology code -named Keychest by next month which will benefit the entertainment companies that is in accordance with the latest trends in entertainment where the customers have made TV sets and DVD players somewhat obsolete and rather use cell phones or computers for the same. Disney trusts that with key-chest technology the interest in Blu-ray and DVD can be prolonged as the viewers would rights to watch the movie in different ways which includes the traditional disc.
With this technology the word ownership gets an entirely new meaning as it stands for right to access rather than possess. The consumers need to make one-time payment to access a movie or TV show from the internet which can be played on iPhones or cable services that have on demand movie viewing and it would also support online movie subscriptions. The company has been wooing movie studios and technology companies by giving them demo performance of Keychest.

Disney Project Aims to Play Film on Any Device | TopNews New Zealand

Free CMA Awards Related Music Via Amazon.com!

Quacky4Donald — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:28:04 GMT

Online retailer, Amazon.com, is giving away free MP3s of CMA Awards related music! Simply click here for details!

Enjoy, country fans!

...Joe...

Found a rather cool DVD at Target for $1.00!

raveoned — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:07:25 GMT

Yesterday my wife and I were off for Veteran's Day, and that's when we usually go Christmas shopping for our daughter.

We went to Target for a few things, and I saw some DVDs in the Dollar Spot they have there.

I picked out one called "Classic Cartoon Cut-Ups" or something like that, containing about 20 cartoons. I didn't realize when I got home, some cool things on there I had never seen before:

2 Oswald cartoons, one done by the folks Mintz hired out from Disney, and one done by Walter Lantz; and a 1918 Katzenjammer Kids cartoon!

Really cool!

Pictures from Pixar's 'UP' DVD release party @ Fentons

OogieBoogie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:53:51 GMT

On Tuesday November 11th, Pixar released it's most recent film 'UP' on DVD / Blue Ray. To celebrate the release, Pixar took over Russel and Carl's favorite ice cream parlor, Fentons.

Fenton's has been advertising the event for about a week now by giving everyone who comes in this flyer.

Althought the event started at 5:00pm, I got there at 3:00pm anticipating that there would be a large crowd. Fortunatly there were only a few people there so I got to sit and have a late lunch of a French Dip Sandwich and some fries (very yummy). Then I settled down with my DS to wait.

This is Fenton's parking lot. Notice that there are only 12 spots in it. Parking for Fenton's is a bit of a nightmare.

Decorating the front of the building...

They even had a cardboard replica of Carl's house that you could take your picture with.

Close up of Carl, Russel, and Doug

More Balloons are put out...

And even more balloons

A shot of the front and back of some of the balloons

I wish there could have been more sun. This would have made a good shot had it have been a clear day.

To commerate the event, Fenton's had a special 'UP' sundae for the event.

To make the house go 'UP' they attached it to the awning. It also made it so that more people could get thier pictures taken in front of it.

Which I did.

This is the back room at Fentons where the Pixar animators were going to be. It was also the staging area for balloon blow up.

The interior of Fentons at around 4:30

Doug watches over the festivities

At 5:00, the lines started appearing...

Near the back of the restaurant was this piece of artwork..

and to the side of it was this plaque. Sorry it's so blurry.. my camera is buried in a box somewhere (thanks to our remodel), so I was using my wifes camera which I wasn't familiar with.

Pixar animator Ricky Nierva was the first animator to show up. The other one showed up a bit later. They did drawings of characters from 'UP' for anyone who wanted them.

I broke down and ordered the sundae. Along with the sundae you got a 'UP' release party button.

At about 6:30, the other Pixar animator, Albert Lozano showed up. A good thing too. By this time the line to have a drawing done by a Pixar animator stretched almost to the door.

The interior of Fentons at about 7:00

The line to get in.

I had Albert Lozano do a drawing of Carl for me. They also did Doug, Russel, Kevin, and Ellie. Doug and Russel were the favorites.

I was disappointed that there weren't more Pixar employees there, or at least a few more animators. But everyone still had a great time.

Who wants to go to Pixar Studios this Saturday?

OogieBoogie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:06:49 GMT

I heard about this tonight. The site this is from is Cartoon Art Museum :: 655 Mission Street :: San Francisco

Spend the day at Pixar Animation Studios...
For the Sixth Annual Cartoon Art Museum Benefit!

Saturday November 14, 2009
Call 415-227-8666, ext. 300 to purchase tickets.

The Cartoon Art Museum, the only museum in the western United States dedicated to all forms of cartoons and comics, is delighted to host its sixth annual benefit on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Pixar Animation Studios. From Pixar's inception in 1986 with the premiere of its iconic short film, Luxo Jr., to the studio's latest full-length feature,
Disney?Pixar's Up, Pixar has wowed and charmed the world with its incredible computer animated creations. This year, there are two great ways to
experience the magic of Pixar up close and personal at the studio's Emeryville home:

The Family Fun Tier
(1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

The Family Fun Tier is designed for families to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the world of Pixar. Entry includes the chance to get up close and personal to rarely seen Toy Story art, sculptures, and other items from the Pixar archives, and experience a gallery exhibition featuring stunning
pre-production artwork from Up. Family Fun Tier members will also be able to participate in a Silent Auction to bid on original and signed works by
Pixar creators. Pixar artists will be on hand to teach kids how to draw Pixar characters. Finally, a selection of Pixar short films (including One
Man Band, Lifted, Presto, Burn-E and several Cars Toons) will be showing in Pixar's state-of-the-art screening room in a continuous loop.
For this Tier, doors open at 1 pm. Tickets are $35 for an individual or $100 for a Family Four Pack, which includes entry for 2 adults and 2 children under 18 (or 1 adult and 3 children.)

The VIP Screening Tier
(11:00 am - 4:00 pm)

The VIP Screening Tier is designed for the biggest fans to help support the Cartoon Art Museum and to experience Pixar's state-of-the-art digital
theater. Entry includes access to everything from the Family Fun Tier plus access to Pixar's Studio Store where guests can purchase Pixar items at employee prices. The centerpiece of the event is a noon time 3D screening that includes the rarely seen Cars Toon Tokyo Mater, and the feature film
Toy Story 2. The screening will be hosted by Dr. Michael B. Johnson (Pixarian and CAM board member), who will lead a Q&A session along with
several other Toy Story 2 crew members. The VIP Screening Tier also includes an offering of light lunchtime snacks, treats and conversation with
the speakers and other Pixar employees.
For this Tier, doors open two hours early at 11 am. Cartoon Art Museum members can purchase tickets for the reduced rate of $99, while the
non-member rate is $149. Save money and become a member of the Cartoon Art Museum today! Reserved rows for ten are available for $1,500. Treat your friends or employees to an afternoon of animated fun.
Pixar Animation Studios is located in Emeryville, California. Free parking is available on site.
Call 415-227-8666, ext. 300 to purchase tickets.

Mark Zoradi resigns as prexy of Disney Studios

CaliforniaAdventurer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:23:06 GMT

Quote:

In a continued house cleaning at the Walt Disney Co., studio distribution veteran Mark Zoradi is leaving the company after 29 years.

The departure of Zoradi, president of Disney's motion pictures group, follows the ousting of his former boss, Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook and Mirimax Films President Daniel Battsek.

The studio is being remade under Cook's successor, Rich Ross, who was formerly president of Disney Channels Worldwide.

The latest entertainment business news at: http://link.latimes.com/r/9UIJ7Y/T03RE/32MZD6/YGSGK/M973AY/KI/t

Do you like your TV/Home Theater being YOURS?

mycroft16 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:47:23 GMT

Tell the FCC to Say "No" to the Cable Kill Switch | Public Knowledge

If the MPAA has its way, and if none of us speak up about it, they will... then you will no longer be in control of your viewing equipment.

To sum it up... the MPAA wants to be able to selectively control which outputs on your home theater equipment (cable box, tv, vcr, tivo, etc) are active on a program by program basis. So if they broadcast a movie and don't want anyone to be able to record it, they simply send along an extra signal with the program that disables the outputs on the devices.

Currently the FCC bans this sort of thing as a consumer protection. Home recordings of all broadcast material are perfectly legal... but the MPAA has been petitioning repeatedly to be allowed to change this. If they do, then you will be required to buy all new equipment that has this feature or you won't even be able to get the signals. So it's bad for consumers right there. A huge out of pockect expense in a time of not so great economy. It also stifles innovation. The MPAA (and the RIAA for that matter) over the past few years have resisted the changing music and movie markets with a violent passion. They claim that they are merely protecting their copyrighted material, but really they are resisting a change in business models. Many TV studios have jumped on board the changing world and offer their content online and as downloads, but the movie and music industry are trying desperately to hold onto the old model, because in the new model, they are obsolete. When artists can put their music to the world on their own through the internet, they don't need big labels. Same with movies (though to a lesser degree). So they resist and fight to keep things the old way. It's bad for everyone but the executives at the big label and studio companies.

If you enjoy your entertainment, let the FCC know how you feel.

Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX: Zorro Seasons 1 & 2

Barbossa — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:48:58 GMT

The Walt Disney Treasures DVD sets of Zorro season 1 and 2 came out today. If you want to get them I suggest you get them quick as there are only 30,000 of each set available. 30,000 is the lowest run of any of the sets in the WDT line so far.

Walt Disney Studios plans soundstage and production facility in Santa Clarita Valley

CaliforniaAdventurer — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:22:49 GMT

Disney plans new soundstage and production facility in Santa Clarita Valley

Quote:

The Walt Disney Co. today filed plans to build a sprawling soundstage and production complex on the northwest corner of its Golden Oak Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The proposed Disney/ABC Studios at the Ranch would occupy 56 acres of the sprawling, 890-acre ranch just off Route 14 at Placerita Canyon Road, just south of Santa Clarita. Plans call for six pairs of soundstages, talent bungalows, administrative and production offices, storage and a commissary and other amenities.

The project would be a much-needed boost to Los Angeles' entertainment-industry economy, which has been buffeted by a production slowdown triggered by the recession and the decade-long outflow of film and TV jobs to other countries and states such as New Mexico, Lousiana and New York that offer generous tax breaks and credits. Disney-owned ABC moved its own sitcom "Ugly Betty" from Los Angeles to New York last year, which helped spur the state Legislature to implement its own film tax credit program this year to curb so-called runaway production. Still, as Disney's announcement attests, the bulk of television production remains in Los Angeles.

I wanted to share this find...

Mr. Bungle — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:14:14 GMT

YouTube - Real bears playing Hockey

I had no idea where else to share this, and it was making me laugh so I thought I'd post it.

Sorry if it bothers some folks.

I am aware of this: Russian ice-skating bear kills trainer - The Denver Post

Nickelodeon Gets The Turtles

MickeyMousePal — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:44:37 GMT

Source: Blog@Newsarama Blog Archive Nickelodeon Gets The Turtles (Updated)

Quote:

Nickelodeon Gets The Turtles (Updated)

Quote:

Buzz up! http://images.livescience.com/common/template_images/delicious_icon.gif del.icio.us
http://images.livescience.com/common/template_images/diggit_icon.gif Digg It!
http://images.livescience.com/common/template_images/newsvine.png Newsvine
http://images.livescience.com/common/template_images/reddithead4.gif reddit

October 22nd, 2009
Author Troy Brownfield

http://blog.newsarama.com/gallery/al...10087/tmnt.gif
Reuters says it all: “Nickelodeon Acquires Global Rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”. The price? A mere $60 million.
We’ll follow in a moment with the complete press release. You’ll notice that it mentions film, animation and toys, but says little to nothing about actual comics. Mirage CEO Gary Richardson is quoted as saying, “Nickelodeon is a powerhouse global brand, and we are confident that the company will be a wonderful steward for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello and all the other TMNT characters
and take them in all kinds of exciting and new creative directions.”
At his blog, Turtles co-creator Peter Laird addressed a number of issues surrounding the sale. He summed it up with the following statement:

On a final note (at least for this statement), please understand that I sold the TMNT property, not Mirage Studios. Mirage still exists, and it’s still my company. It just doesn’t own the TMNT intellectual property anymore. I’m not sure what its future will be. For a little while, it will be helping with the transition of TMNT over to its new owners. But after that…? I don’t know. What I am hoping, however, is that this little core group of creators sticks together, both as friends and collaborators. And I think that is certainly possible.

Wow! someway to give competition to Disney.
Is TMNT becoming popular, again?

RIP Soupy Sales 1926-2009

Wendygirl — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:59:05 GMT

Soupy passed away this evening at the age of 83 in New York. I absolutely loved his show and watched it every day. White Fang, Black Tooth, Pookie, Peaches, it was all so funny. He was the king of the pie in the face.

You can read about him here.

The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, new reality show on A&E

CaliforniaAdventurer — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:05:20 GMT

The Jacksons A Family Dynasty - A&E TV

Quote:

Michael Jackson�s three children may appear on the upcoming reality show The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty, A&E said in a statement yesterday, all but rescinding a prior statement that said the children were �not a part of� the series. Us Weekly first revealed that the Jackson children would be featured in some capacity on the show, even though the family was at odds about it. According to Us, Michael�s older sister Rebbie �feels Michael would spin in his grave if he knew his kids would be on this show.�

“Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” Reality Show Might Feature Michael Jackson’s Children : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily