Disney Film - Horsing Around In LA

Strange World

By Erin

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original action-packed adventure “Strange World” introduces us to a magical new world, with a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who longs for adventure; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. Helmed by Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), and produced by Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”), “Strange World” releases November 23, 2022.

The other month we got to learn a little bit about the movie and have some fun in the studio, saying a line or two from the film. This was my little part.

The settings in Strange World are utterly breathtaking, fantastical and awe-inspiring, inviting us to places only seen in our imagination. No world has ever been so wonderfully strange as the studio’s latest adventure. Journey deep into “Strange World,” set in a vast, hidden, subterranean world where bizarre creatures, looming danger and points unknown await.

At its core, “Strange World” is a story about family, specifically three generations who each are seeking their place in the world. Searcher Clade is a brilliant family man—who, as a teenager, discovered a plant-based power source that changed the world of Avalonia. Even with a statue in town in his honor, Searcher is at his core a humble farmer, growing, harvesting and distributing the crop alongside his wife and son. Searcher’s dad, Jaeger, set out at a young age to be the kind of explorer legends are made of. A statue in town (right next to Searcher’s) memorialized the great explorer, who has not been seen in 25 years, presumed lost during an expedition. Searcher’s son, Ethan, is a happy 16-year-old with a great sense of humor and a decent work ethic (for a teenager). Ethan helps on the farm, but he’s not sure he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. The three Clades have huge differences that can prove divisive—and at the same time, they have more in common than any of them is willing to admit.

Hall leaned into the idea of fathers and sons—how they don’t always see the world the same way. “My dad and I have a great relationship,” he says. “He is a farmer and I grew up helping out. But when I was 14 years old, it all changed. Suddenly, I was planting and doing more high-level stuff that I just didn’t want to do. It wasn’t me. It all turned out fine, but I always remembered that and thought it would be interesting to explore father/son relationships and the kind of expectations we put on our kids—intentionally or unintentionally.”

The biggest discovery that awaits the Clades is the key to their relationships with each other, what the future holds for them if they find it and what their journey means in the bigger picture.

Strange World is perfect for the whole family, it does NOT disappoint! Be sure to go see it this weekend!

Aladdin

By Erin

Disney’s Aladdin is in theaters now! Such a thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, brings back so much 90’s nostalgia from my childhood. The exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine, and the Genie who may be the key to their future. Starring Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen and Numan Acar. Aladdin is directed by Guy Ritchie from a screenplay by John August and Ritchie based on Disney’s Aladdin by Ron Clements & John Musker and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. The film is produced by Dan Lin, p.g.a., and Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a., with Marc Platt and Kevin De La Noy serving as executive producers. Alan Menken provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs writen by Menken and lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. New music written by Menken and songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The Magical Story starts of in the streets of Agrabah, that is home to Aladdin (Mena Massoud), a lovable street rat who is eager to leave his life of petty thievery behind, believing he is destined for much greater things. Across town, the Sultan’s daughter, Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott ), harbors dreams of her own. She longs to experience life beyond the palace walls and use her title to better serve the people of Agrabah, but her father is extremely overprotective and her handmaiden, Dalia (Nasim Pedrad), keeps close tabs on her. The Sultan (Navid Negahban) is preoccupied with finding a suitable husband for his daughter, while Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), his loyal and trusted advisor and a powerful sorcerer, is frustrated with the Sultan’s passive stance on Agrabah’s future and is devising a plan to assume the throne himself.

It’s the same story we have come to know a love with a few twists and turns, a new character along with new songs you are going to love. The visuals are stunning and Will Smith does the best he can to fill the big shoes of the Genie that Robin Williams left behind. Robin Williams is irreplaceable, but Will helps capture the magic and wit of the Genie.

Aladdin (Mena Massoud) meets the larger-than-life blue Genie (Will Smith) in Disney’s live-action adaptation ALADDIN, directed by Guy Ritchie.

Here are a few fun facts about the making of the film that shows just how much thought, planning and detail went into making Aladdin.

Production designer Gemma Jackson, who won an Emmy Award® for her production design work on “Game of Thrones,” was tasked with bringing Agrabah to life. She envisioned the city as a gateway to the Eastern world with a vibrant array of colors, cultures and sounds. Her inspirations came primarily from Moroccan, Persian and Turkish architecture and featured elements of Arab, Indian and South Asian cultures, since Agrabah is an Arab country on the Silk Road where cultural influences from other cultures in the regions could be found. The art department, under the supervision of Gemma Jackson, built the massive Agrabah set outdoors on a tarmac the size of two football fields at Longcross Studios in just 15 weeks.

Set decoration for Agrabah included fabrics, textiles and carvings similar to those found in Marrakesh, lots of colorful woods, metals, fruits and vegetables and a 1,000-year-old olive tree.

The Agrabah courtyard, market stalls, narrow alleys and cluttered rooftops were designed to accommodate the extensive choreography and stunts featured in the musical numbers “One Jump Ahead” and “Prince Ali.”