Movie Review: "Beauty and the Beast" is Magnificently Done, Still a Classic

After seeing "Beauty and the Beast" it brought me back to a place of my childhood a rebirth of Disney animation back in 1991. I was just a young toddler back then but seeing the re-make into the fine piece of a motion picture into a live-action film. I won't lie I may have shed a tear towards the end of the film. Bill Condon did a wonderful job directing and the cast was just amazing.

Many had doubts about Emma Watson portraying the role of Belle, but she held her own. I was simply amazed, how well she played the role. Her voice while not perfect was good enough for me to make me satisfied that they had picked her. The true star is Dan Stevens playing the Beast. I can listen to him sing "Evermore" all day long if I had too. I will be humming songs from this film not just the old songs but the new one's as well. 

Back to the cast Luke Evans as Gaston and Josh Gad as LeFou were perfectly cast for their roles. The controversy before the film came out was unnoticeable to the common eye. Josh Gad was perfect and I'm not sure anyone else fit for the role. Emma Thompson as Mrs.Potts while she is no Angela Lansbury who voiced the role in the animated classic, was amazing in singing "Days in the Sun" and even "Beauty and the Beast." I was quite surprised how beautiful of a voice she had. 

I can go on and on about the music from the film as I will be humming and singing the songs for the foreseeable future. Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice have all done it again and the addition of Josh Groban and Celine Dion have brought this music to a whole new level. 

I end with saying go see this film and its magnificent and will be a classic just as its animated predecessor was. Relive your childhood as well and you may even shed a tear too. 

Your Daily News from Around Disney 3/18/15

We are half way through the week and that much closer to the weekend. These blogs are certainly fun to write and I just want to thank you to everyone who has been reading them. Disney sure knows how to keep the news coming these days as it seems just about every day they are breaking new and exciting things out to the public. So without much further ado let's get into your daily news from around Disney.

"Frozen" Summer Fun LIVE Returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Last week as a part of Disney's announcement of their "Coolest Summer Ever", they said that Frozen Summer Fun would be returning in June to Hollywood Studios. Today, they announced more details and a new home for the event in the old American Idol Live attraction building. The event returns on June 17 and will run through September 7.

Disney's summer long special event will feature a full day of "Frozen" fun from when the park opens up until it closes. A list of what you can expect includes a royal procession, a sing-along celebration, fun photo opportunities, "Frozen" merchandise, specialty food and beverage options, and a grand finale fireworks spectacular. Here is the official list and description of events that was posted on the Disney Parks Blog today:

• Frozen Royal Welcome – Twice each day, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff take part in a festive cavalcade throughout Hollywoodland, accompanied by the Royal Arendelle Flag Corps and a flurry of skaters, skiiers and ice cutters – along with lovable snowman, Olaf. Anna leads the procession in a beautiful horse-drawn sleigh, with Elsa gliding by on a stunning, ice palace float. The entire procession pauses twice along the route in tribute to these visitors from Arendelle, as everyone in Hollywoodland is invited to join in singing “Let It Go!”
• For the First Time in Forever: A “Frozen” Sing-Along Celebration – Just in time for this year’s “Frozen” Summer Fun LIVE event, this popular show moves into the beautiful Hyperion Theater (formerly Superstar Television Theater), located right in the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Royal Historians of Arendelle host a fun and comedic retelling of the unique story of their kingdom, filled with delightful, sing-along moments from “Frozen,” plus all-new in-theater effects and special appearances by Anna, Elsa and Kristoff.
• Olaf’s Summer Cool Down – Several times each day, the Ambassador of Hollywoodland brings Olaf and some of his friends to the Event Stage to have a little fun with everyone “In Summer.” And as temperatures heat up, Olaf happily shares a burst from his personal snow cloud to cool things off.
• “Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party – Once the sun goes down, a dance party takes over the area around the Event Stage, with DJ Chill and some of your favorite Disney characters. Using a special event hashtag, you can share song requests and photos over social media, to be featured onscreen during the party.
• “Frozen” Fireworks – As the night comes to a close, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf come together at the Event Stage for a grand finale to the day’s festivities, kicking off an awe-inspiring fireworks display set to the glorious music of “Frozen” and, of course, a flurry of snow!

So who will joining in the "Frozen" Summer Fun happening this summer at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

More Cast Announcements and Release Date for Live-Action "Beauty and the Beast":

Mark your calendars because we finally have a release date for Disney's live-action rendition of "Beauty and the Beast". It will be released on March 17, 2017 in 3D. Also more cast announcements have been made for the film. Last week, during Disney's Annual Shareholders' Meeting Josh Gad announced he had joined the cast as Le Fou. Well we have more as Emma Thompson has now been cast as Mrs. Potts and Kevin Kline will be joining the cast taking on the role of Maurice, Belle's Father. Thompson and Kline join the star studded cast that already has Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Prince/Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, and as mentioned above Gad in the role of Le Fou. 

Also announced was Alan Menken, eight-time Oscar winner including two for 1991 animated classic, will score the film. The film will feature new recording of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice. Disney's live-action film "Beauty and the Beast" will be directed by Bill Condon. The script is written by Steven Chbosky and the film will be produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Production is set to begin in May at Shepperton Studios in London. 

Brook Lopez, Center of the Brooklyn Nets, to Break Ground for New Home at Disney's Golden Oak:

In some news from the rich and famous, Brook Lopez (center for the Brooklyn Nets), is set to break ground for a new home right on Disney World property in Disney's Golden Oak development. Lopez a huge Disney fan at heart got the idea when his brother Chris sent him a link about the real estate development at Golden Oak. Lopez said that construction will begin in a few months and that the house should be ready in a year and a half. 

Disney's Golden Oak is 980-acre real estate development on Disney property. Home ownership in the gated-community is said to start at $1.8 million, according to the Wall Street Journal, and some of the homes have sold for over $7 million plus some hefty annual fees. 

Lopez' love of the parks stems from childhood visits to Disneyland. When he became an NBA player he began going to Disney World on road trips to Orlando. 

This Day in Disney History:

On this day (March 18) in Disney history, ground breaks in an official ceremony in Anaheim for the Disneyland Hotel in 1955.

Also on this day in 1967, The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opens in New Orleans Square in Disneyland.

Daily Disney Quote:

"All you need is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust."

- Peter Pan

Today's news is past while tomorrow's news awaits us. What comes tomorrow nobody knows except for Disney of course. As always in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."