Aladdin

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.”

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The Queen of Katwe Red Carpet Premiere #QueenOfKatwe

The Queen of Katwe Red Carpet Premiere

By Erin

*I attended as a guest of Disney for purposes of this post.*

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It is always a real treat to be able to attend a red carpet premiere and Queen of Katwe was no exception. Disney has another heartwarming and inspirational film with their newest movie, that’ sure to be a hit. It is now playing in theaters everywhere, but I had the pleasure of walking down the red carpet for the Queen of Katwe premiere at the El Capitan the other week! So what was it like on the carpet for Queen of Katwe? Take a look! 🙂

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Waiting to check in and camera crews from different TV stations that were setting up and getting ready.
queen-of-katwe-red-carpetME! On the red carpet. So exciting… even with a sprained ankle (even though it’s kind of cut off you can still tell my right ankle is way bigger than my left! And still a bit bruised up…  but a huge improvement from what it was 3 weeks before this when I first sprained it. Watch out for curbs, they’re evil… :/
queen-of-katwe-disneyWaiting for the cast to arrive for red carpet photos.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: (L-R) Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende, Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi, Director Mira Nair, actors Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo and Martin Kabanza arrive at the U.S. premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The film, starring David Oyelowo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, is directed by Mira Nair and opens in U.S. theaters in limited release on September 23, expanding wide September 30, 2016. On September 20, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Robert Katende; Phiona Mutesi; Mira Nair; Madina Nalwanga; Lupita Nyong'o; David Oyelowo; Martin Kabanza

Chess Coach and Director of Sports Outreach in Uganda, Robert Katende, Ugandan national chess champion Phiona Mutesi, Director Mira Nair, actors Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo and Martin Kabanza arrive at the U.S. premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. *Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney *

David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o arrive at the U.S. premiere of DisneyÕs ÒQueen of KatweÓ at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. The film, starring David Oyelowo, Oscar winner Lupita NyongÕo and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, is directed by Mira Nair and opens in U.S. theaters in limited release on September 23, expanding wide September 30, 2016...(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)

David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o arrive at the U.S. premiere of Disney’s Queen of Katwe at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA.*Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages*

HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Actors Madina Nalwanga (L) and Martin Kabanza arrive at the U.S. premiere of Disney’s “Queen of Katwe” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The film, starring David Oyelowo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, is directed by Mira Nair and opens in U.S. theaters in limited release on September 23, expanding wide September 30, 2016. On September 20, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Madina Nalwanga; Martin Kabanza

Actors Madina Nalwanga and Martin Kabanza arrive at the U.S. premiere of Disney’’s “Queen of Katwe” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. *Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney*

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Then everyone entered the theater to watch the show! A little bit of background info about the film so you have some idea what it’s about if you didn’t already know. Life in Uganda for 9-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) is a constant struggle. Her days are spent selling vegetables on the streets of Katwe, one of the most poverty-stricken slums in Kampala, so school is not an option. Her mother, Harriet (Nyong’o), a proud and strong-willed woman, works tirelessly to support her family, whom she loves and protects with a fierce compassion. Consumed by the daily grind, Harriet worries that she can never offer her children the promise of a better life. The cast of Queen of Katwe is amazing. Phiona is the real-life inspiration for the movie about a rising chess star from an impoverished city in Uganda. Her mentor, Robert Katende, played by David Oyelowo, teaches her about life, hope and chess, so she’s able to travel the world and better her life and the lives of others.

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Tim Burton Hand and Foot Print Ceremony & Preview of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children #StayPeculiar

Tim Burton Hand & Foot Print Ceremony

By Erin

 *A Special Thank you goes to 20th Century Fox for hosting us at this event. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.*

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The other week we were in for a very special treat to get to see one of our favorite directors, Tim Burton, be honored at a special hand and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatres. followed by a screening of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children in Los Angeles.

Over the years we have fallen in love with Burton’s many gothic and quirky fantasy films such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Batman  and its first sequel Batman Returns, the sci-fi film Planet of the Apes (2001), the musical adventure film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the fantasy film Alice in Wonderland. To see him being honored and celebrated for all of his achievements was such a special memory to cherish forever.

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It all started with a very emotional speech given by Winona Ryder who was going to introduce her dear friend and filmmaker Tim Burton. In the past they have worked together on films such as Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands. Little did she know, Burton quietly made his entrance behind her and snuck up behind her to give her a big hug.

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Then Tim Burton took the stage and shared his story and his journey of how he got to where he is today. His love for his work  shined through. Next he had some help getting his hand and footprints set and posed for photos for the media.

timburton11Signing his name in the cement at the hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre!

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Smiling for us all while his handprints set in the cement. 🙂

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