Category Archives: Movies

Director Jon Favreau Takes Audiences On a Wild Ride Back to the Jungle #JungleBook

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Jungle Book Takes Audiences on a Wild Ride.

By Catheryn

“Many strange tales are told of this Jungle.
But none so strange as the tale of the cub we called Mowgli” … ~ Bagheera

I am fascinated how a film can, when done correctly, invoke feelings within such a short amount of time. Happiness, loss, pride and true emotional investment to the stories characters, how often can you say a film has done this for you? I was invited by Disney to get a sneak peak of the soon to be released The Jungle Book last month, here’s a little on what to expect from this cutting edge film that I am very excited to see with my family!

In this day of computer generated everything, feelings sometimes get lost in the over the top spectacle of it all. Things are just so far beyond belief sometimes that you are literally too busy trying to process it all. Mash the two together, the ability to create something that stirs emotions yet is beyond reality and is totally believable, That’s is The Jungle Book.

A few words from the creative genius behind The Jungle Book Jon Favreau and Visual effects supervisor Rob Legato.

“When I think about Disney’s legacy, I relate to Walt’s original dream,” says director Jon Favreau.

“Walt Disney’s work has influenced my work. He was considered high-tech for the time. He was the first person who locked soundtrack with picture, so the characters
were perfectly choreographed to the musical score—something that absolutely blew
people’s minds. Disney was on the cutting edge of technology.”

According to the director, every choice was made with the audience in mind. “The
audience has to be taken on a ride. They want thrills, adventure, excitement, laughs.
And they want emotion. I tried to make a movie that I’d want to see. There’s a flavor to it” added Favreau referring to the musical score and it “Ticked all the boxes” when it came to his memories of the Original Disney classic.

Employing the very latest iteration of movie magic, which would allow his director the freedom to push the limits of what’s possible in film making. “It’s a photo-real film grounded in the real world,” says Legato. “There’s something very interesting about that.” He also went on to add,

“The audience will feel the grandeur of the Indian jungle,” says Legato. “They’ll
experience this exotic land. That’s part of the fun of going to the movies—seeing a
place you’ve never seen before. Living it. Walking through it.”

Photo Courtesy: Disney Films

My initial thought after the viewing and the Q & A session, I was beyond impressed with the visual journey I know this film is going to take us all on. I truely enjoyed listening to the Director Jon Favreau and the visual effects supervisor Rob Legato describe their passion for the film and their efforts on this project in such laymen’s terms, I was truly drawn in and could have listened to them both all afternoon.

This being my first ever insider preview of an incomplete film, well I hadn’t any idea what I was in for or any idea of just how interesting it all is!  The sheer talent that is needed to be a part of a team on such a project is amazing. I was enthralled and hung on every word shared with us. I now have the greatest appreciation for all the crafts involved, not just those who perform in front of the camera.

It takes a very special mind and a great amount of talent as Jon Favreau has. To say that he had some big shoes to fill creating a new Jungle book after the genius of Walt Disney is an understatement. The technologies though worlds apart in creating both the original and the new to be released film truly show that no matter the technology, the film must have a heart and a soul to bring it to life, I’m pleased to say that in my opinion The Jungle Book is Reborn!

Photo Courtesy: Disney Films

The Jungle Book movie is based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories while being inspired by Disney’s 1967 animated classic. The film features state-of the-art technology that immerses the audience while seamlessly blending live-action along with photorealistic CGI animals and environments. Transporting movie goers using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques in an enchanting and lush world, it’s an adventure you have to see to believe!

Here’s one of the trailers for the film THE JUNGLE BOOK to tide you over till it’s opening in theatres everywhere in 3D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D on April 15th!

Catheryn~

Catheryn studied Interior Design at the L.A Campus of F.I.D.M then life thew her and her husband of 28 years a curve ball when they took in their little angel and life as they knew it would be forever changed….for the better of course. Her girl is 8 now and has high functioning Autism. She was the driving force for Catheryn to start blogging 2 years ago about ASD friendly places in So Cal. I hope you find inspiration or a new great find on her site to spark the inner cleverness in you. www.cleverlycatheryn.com

Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton in Eddie the Eagle! #EddieTheEagle #FlyLikeEddie

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Eddie the Eagle

By Erin

*I attended as media for purposes of this post*

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Did you ever have a childhood dream that everyone around you thought you were crazy for? I know I have. Eddie the Eagle was inspired by true events of one child’s “crazy” dream. A feel-good story about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), who is an unlikely but very courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even when an entire nation was counting him out as one big joke.  After some major coaxing, he gets some help from a rebellious yet charismatic coach (Hugh Jackman) and Eddie takes the challenge  head on and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.  From the producers of Kingsman: The Secret Service, Eddie the Eagle stars Taron Egerton as Eddie, the loveable underdog with a never say die attitude.

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After viewing the film, I had the chance to interview both Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton about their parts in Eddie the Eagle. A truly inspirational story, I was curious to know what drew in both actors into this story.

Hugh Jackman told us that he always loved the story. He was just 19 when Eddie  jumped in Australia and was captivated by him, he became a folk hero in Australia. “It taps into everybody’s desire to find the thing they love, to overcome whatever obstacles they are going to overcome to do it and as a parent now, I watch that movie and I am so thrilled my kids are seeing a movie that finally says you don’t actually have to win to be a winner.  You have to give with your heart, you have to give it all you got, and you got to love it.  That’s it.  It’s okay.  That’s enough.  You don’t actually have to be LeBron James, you can be the school teacher down the road and be a winner.  You know what I mean?  That’s what I love about it.”

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Taron Egerton liked the challenge that the roll presented, in terms of acting and he is a big fan of Hugh and Fletcher. “I was a huge fan of Dexter Fletcher our director.  His movies are brilliant.  Matthew Vaughn [producer] who I did Kingsman with and of course Hugh, to work with someone who I admire so much was a great opportunity, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

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Since the movie is inspired by a true story did they get to meet the real Eddie?

Yes! Of course! 😉

They had the opportunity to meet the real life Eddie. Both actors were delighted at the chance to meet with this inspirational athlete. Egerton told us  that he’s quite an amazing guy to hear speak and was a very inspiring, engaging chap. They both also got to view the film for the first time with Eddie. Egerton was even sitting right next to him, nervous about if he would like the film or not! Egerton shared with us,”I was shaking and wiping my eyes.  That is pretty brutal, but he loved it.  He cried, he brought his friends and his family.  Imagine how nervous you would be watching your film.” Jackman was happy to add, “I was worried when he was crying at the end of the film, but no, he loved it, he absolutely loved it.  It was fantastic.”

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After chatting with the stars of the film, we took a group shot. It was a real pleasure getting to learn more and gain some more insight about the characters that they play and the all around story of how this film came to be. It was a very moving and inspirational experience. So, don’t EVER give up on your dreams!

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Make sure you don’t miss out on this one! Soaring into theaters February 26th!!

Eddie the Eagle

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The Finest Hours: Thrilling and Inspirational! | #TheFinestHours

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The Finest Hours: Thrilling and Inspirational!

By Jen Miyagishima

The Finest Hours is a film based on historical events that took place in New England in 1952. In the beginning, we are introduced to Bernie Webber (Chris Pine), a captain in the U.S. Coast Guard and Miriam (Holliday Grainger), a young woman who works as a telephone operator. What starts out as a double date, gradually grows into something more. Bernie is a man of few words, brooding and introspective. Miriam, on the other hand, is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t shy away from challenging someone (more on that later).

Chris Pine stars as Bernie Webber and Holliday Grainger as Miriam in the heroic action-thriller THE FINEST HOURS, based on the extraordinary true story of the most daring rescue mission in the history of the Coast Guard.

Meanwhile a storm is brewing. It’s not just any storm though – it is a massive storm that splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker’s sinking stern! Panic ensues, fights break out among the men and the sailors squabble about whether to jump ship into the tanker’s lifeboats or remain on board. Lead engineer Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) quietly steps up to the task of leading the sailors and coming up with a strategy that will keep their half of the boat afloat until they can hopefully be rescued.

Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck) and Tchuda Southerland (Josh Stewart) struggle to keep their ship, the SS Pendleton, from sinking in Disney's THE FINEST HOURS, the heroic action-thriller presented in Digital 3D (TM) and IMAX (c) 3D based on the extrordinary tur story of the most daring rescue mission in the history of the Coast Guard.

As word of the disaster reaches the Coast Guard in Chatham, Massachusetts, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana) orders a daring rescue mission. There is much debate among the men in the Coast Guard office as to which direction they should approach the SS Pendleton. Do they go the long way around, which is essentially an easier route or do they take a more direct course that requires “crossing the bar” but is more dangerous? Bernie is very committed to his job, having a strong sense of honor and duty. So he doesn’t flinch when he is ordered by Cluff to take three men on a lifeboat to try and save the crew of the SS Pendleton.

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