Categories

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

ALICIA KEYS PARTNERS WITH DISNEY ON NEW SONG FEATURED IN "QUEEN OF KATWE" - SPECIAL FIRST LOOK NOW AVAILABLE


DISNEY PARTNERS WITH 15-TIME GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING 
SINGER/SONGWRITER/PRODUCER ALICIA KEYS
ON MIRA NAIR’S UPCOMING FILM “QUEEN OF KATWE” 
STARRING DAVID OYELOWO AND LUPITA NYONG’O 

Here is your first look at a featurette featuring singer/songwriter/producer Alicia Keys and her new song “Back to Life,” which is featured in the upcoming film “Queen of Katwe.” The film, which is based on a true story, is the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.


The soundtrack is now available for pre-order at Amazon, smarturl.it/KatweAM 

BURBANK, CALIF. (Wednesday, August 31, 2016) – Walt Disney Studios is partnering with 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys (“Girl on Fire,” “No One”) on the studio’s upcoming film release “Queen of Katwe,” which opens in limited release September 23and expands wide September 30, 2016.

The multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer’s new original song, “Back to Life,” appears in the film and on the motion picture soundtrack from Walt Disney Records, which also features the buoyant score from Golden Globe® nominee Alex Heffes (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “The Last King of Scotland”). “Back to Life” was written by Alicia Keys, Carlo Montagnese and Billy Walsh and produced by Illangelo and Keys.

“’Queen of Katwe’ moved me in every way,” says Alicia Keys. “The film beautifully depicts Uganda with such honest attention to detail—the colors, the sounds, the people—all vividly brought to life. But most soulfully, it’s the story of this fearless, brilliant girl Phiona who embodies the message that the rise to success first begins with opportunity, and the belief you have in yourself to pursue something bigger. The song ‘Back To Life’ that I wrote for this film alongside collaborators Illangelo and Billy Walsh, is about pushing past that little voice of doubt in our heads so we can instead, electrify the world. When we allow women to find and express their power and potential, the world changes for the better. I encourage people to see this film, be moved by Phiona's story and then go back into their own communities and encourage a girl who will rise like a flower that breaks through the concrete to see the sun!”

The film’s Academy Award®-nominated director Mira Nair (“Salaam Bombay!,” “Mississippi Masala”) says, “I have carried a torch for Alicia Key’s voice and passionate engagement with the world for years, so it was exciting to have her artistry join ‘Queen of Katwe,’ which celebrates the idea that genius is everywhere!”

“Queen of Katwe,” which will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 10, is directed by Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler and stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo, Oscar® winner and Tony® nominee Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga. The film is based on the vibrant true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda who is introduced to the game of chess by Robert Katende, a former missionary and soccer coach, and goes on to become an international chess champion. 

About Alicia Keys:
Alicia Keys is a 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer, an accomplished actress, a New York Times best-selling author, an entrepreneur and a powerful force in the world of 
activism. Earlier this year Keys released her critically-acclaimed single “In Common.” The song is from Keys’ forthcoming highly-anticipated sixth studio album, due out later this year on RCA Records. Keys will join the judges panel on NBC’s “The Voice” for its 11th season, which premieres on September 19, 2016, alongside Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. In September 2014, Keys launched We Are Here, a movement that empowers the global community around a host of issues and initiatives building a better world where all people are heard, respected, equal, and treated with dignity. Keys also co-founded Keep a Child Alive (KCA) and serves as Global Ambassador for the organization.

About The Film:
For 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) and her family, life in the impoverished slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle. Her mother, Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o), is fiercely determined to take care of her family and works tirelessly selling vegetables in the market to make sure her children are fed and have a roof over their heads. When Phiona meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a soccer player turned missionary who teaches local children chess, she is captivated. Chess requires a good deal of concentration, strategic thinking and risk taking, all skills which are applicable in everyday life, and Katende hopes to empower youth with the game. Phiona is impressed by the intelligence and wit the game requires and immediately shows potential. Recognizing Phiona’s natural aptitude for chess and the fighting spirit she’s inherited from her mother, Katende begins to mentor her, but Harriet is reluctant to provide any encouragement, not wanting to see her daughter disappointed. As Phiona begins to succeed in local chess competitions, Katende teaches her to read and write in order to pursue schooling. She quickly advances through the ranks in tournaments, but breaks away from her family to focus on her own life. Her mother eventually realizes that Phiona has a chance to excel and teams up with Katende to help her fulfill her extraordinary potential, escape a life of poverty and save her family. 

About Walt Disney Studios: 
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

Star Wars Superfans #GoRogue to Reveal New Toy Line


Star Wars Superfans #GoRogue to Reveal New Toy Line

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” toys unveiled in series of original stop-motion animated shorts debuting online today

Launch heralds global UGC contest celebrating fan content, creativity and storytelling



Glendale, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2016) – A team of Star Wars superfans today revealed the new toy line for the highly anticipated “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” movie via a series of fan-made animated shorts launching on the Star Wars YouTube channel. As part of a competition in collaboration with creative network Tongal,a team was assembled to write, direct and produce original, fan-made stop-motion shorts starring key toys from the new line to kick off a global UGC contest that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.”

“These fan-created shorts are a tribute to the incredible content that the Star Wars community posts online every day,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “The Go Rogue campaign was designed with Star Wars fans in mind – we want them to be front and center in the run up to ‘Rogue One’ by imagining and creating their own Rogue Stories."

When Star Wars news breaks, many fans worldwide react by sharing their own videos online. According to new research[1], fans posted over 838,000 pieces of Star Wars-related content on YouTube in the past year alone, which is more than 2,296 per day and nearly 96 per hour. Star Wars fan-generated content is also incredibly popular, accruing more than 16.3 billion views in the last year – equivalent to everyone in the world viewing at least two fan-created videos.

The global contest, which kicks off September 30, invites fans to share their own short stories or skits set in a galaxy far, far away… Winning entries from around the globe will be chosen by a panel including “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” director Gareth Edwards. Beginning September 30, teen and adult fans can enter the Go Rogue contest on StarWars.com/GoRogue. In addition to the global contest on starwars.com, in the U.S. and parts of Canada, kids 8-12 can participate on Disney.com/MyRogueStory. Winners will be invited to Lucasfilm in San Francisco to attend a screening of “Rogue One,” and see their short story on the big screen.

The fan-created shorts showcasing the new line of “Rogue One” toys for the first time launches on the Star Wars YouTube channel today, with new installments rolling out through September. The team was lead by James DeJulio at Tongal, and the series was written by Kevin Ulrich and brought to life by stop-motion animators and directors Dan MacKenzie and Tucker Barrie. The stories follow the adventures of “Rogue One” toys from Hasbro, LEGO, FUNKO, JAKKS Pacific, Mattel and Disney Store as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set which have been misplaced by the Empire. 

“I’ve been a Star Wars fan my whole life so this is a dream project,” says James DeJulio, co-founder of Tongal. “It’s been amazing to see what an inspiration Star Wars has been to so many members of our creative community, whether that’s coming up with their own Star Wars storylines, or playing out scenes with Star Wars toys at home with their kids. I’m excited to share this first ‘Rogue Story’ with the world and hope it inspires other fans to share theirs.”

Fans can pre-order a handful of select items seen in the “Rogue Stories” beginning September 2 at mass retailers, Disney Store locations anddisneystore.com. The full range of new “Rogue One” and Star Wars products will be available globally starting on
September 30. Join the global #GoRogue conversation on social.

Tongal’s creative network includes 120,000 writers, directors and animators across 150 countries. For more information, go to www.tongal.com.+

Finding Dory Swims Back Into Theaters Sept. 2

HAS EVERYONE SEEN DORY?
Last Chance to Catch Forgetful Blue Tang on the Big Screen
When “Finding Dory” Swims Back into Theaters Sept. 2

Remember this? Best. Cuddle. Party. Ever.  

Movie fans’ favorite forgetful blue tang Dory is making an encore appearance in more than 2,900 theaters nationwide this Labor Day weekend. “Finding Dory” returns to theaters September 2, inviting moviegoers to revisit the adventure with clownfish Marlin and Nemo, septopus Hank, whale shark Destiny and beluga whale Bailey as they team up to help Dory reunite with her long-lost parents. Directed by Andrew Stanton, produced by Lindsey Collins and featuring the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Hayden Rolence, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy, “Finding Dory” originally opened June 17, 2016, and became the highest grossing animated film of all time domestically. 

The Light Between Oceans Movie Review


Based on the best-selling novel, The Light Between Oceans is an epic movie about love, moral dilemmas and what one will do for their loved one. Set in Australia after the Great War, Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender), is a veteran who is looking for solitude as he had seen so many of those around him die and he now lives with the guilt of having survived. He takes up a job as a lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, a job that no one wants, and will give Tom the isolation he believes that he needs.

Fate, however, has other plans for Tom. On his way to Janus he meets Isabel Graysmark (Alicia Vikander), a beautiful woman who has lost her two brothers in the war. Their love blossoms and over time the two are married. Tom brings Isabel back to Janus Rock. Unable to start a family, hope arrives in a rowboat with an infant girl being held by a dead man. Isabel feels that this was meant to be and wants to take the child as their own. Tom feels that the right thing to do is to report the child and the dead man.


In the end, Tom gives in to Isabel and they raise the child as their own, who they name Lucy. Years later when they visit the mainland, Tom discovers, by mere coincidence, who the child may be. This is when things really begin to unfold and a love triangle between parents begins. Tom and Isabel on one side and Hannah (Rachel Weisz), who is Lucy's biological mother, on the other. A series of twists and turns follows.

Fassbender gives us another powerful performance as a man who has given up on the world and fate won't let him. Vikander proves why she continues to be one of my favorite actresses in a role that you still fell sympathetic for Isabel even when she has completely flown off the rails. Weisz provides another equally powerful performance as she is perhaps the most complex and sympathetic character in the movie.

What will happen? Watch The Light Between Oceans when it opens in theaters on September 2nd to find out.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Team Thor: What was Thor Up To During Captain America: Civil War?


It premiered exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con, now everyone can see what Thor was up to while the rest of the Avengers were battling each other in MARVEL'S CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Get this and other bonus on Digital HD 9/2: http://bit.ly/293rlyS

Thor returns in THOR: RAGNAROK November 2017!

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Giveaway: Jack Skellington Glow In The Dark Mug plus $20 Starbucks Gift Card

Celebrate the start of HalloweenTime at The Disneyland Resort on September 9th by entering to win a glow in the dark Jack Skellington mug with a $20 Starbucks gift card! Good luck and this giveaway is open to everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 25, 2016

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer SEL AWD - A Fun, Inexpensive Family Car


Take a look at the fun to drive 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer SEL! I got to drive this beauty for a week and let's see what I thought about this car! The SEL is new to the Lancer lineup this year as an upper-midlevel in between the lower-midlevel SE and the sporty GT.

I headed back up to Northern California again and put in well over a thousand miles on the Lancer. The standard all-wheel drive (AWD) on the SEL handled the climb up the grapevine with ease.


The console is neatly laid out. Everything is easily within reach as well as easy to read. You get full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-only steering wheel, climate control, bluetooth hands-free calling, a 140-watt stereo system with 6 speakers, a USB port, heated front seats, a rear-view camera, satellite radio, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.  


The 16-inch alloy wheels are ready to hit the road. They provide solid traction and grip the road tightly. You also get a ton of safety features including 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags, LED daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors as well as a remote antitheft alarm.


Dessert! Yes, dessert is the first food adventure of this trip! A banana creampuff, a banana pudding  and a banana tart round off this delicious plate at the buffet at the Gold Coast Casino.


Time to hop back into the Lancer and the plush leather seats and head out to the next food adventure!


Even the back seats offer leather and lots of legroom. And we will need all this comfort as we head to the Fisherman's Buffet at the Jackson Casino.


The first plate is full of King Crab legs!


Next up is a lobster with steamed clams and shrimp.


Last but not least is this plate of dungeness crab legs and more steamed clams. An amazing election of crab, lobster and more make this one of the best seafood buffets around. But get there early as they only allow so many people in for each hour the seafood buffet is offered.


I would fill all the crab legs and lobster into the trunk here if I could. But as you can see there isn't a ton of trunk space but it is more than enough for a trip for two or a small family.


On the way home from Northern California, I was invited by Dolby to attend an advanced screening of Kubo and The Two Strings and the latest Dolby Cinema Theater at the Del Amo AMC 18.


Super excited to see the newest movie from the amazingly talented folks at Laika.


The 2.4-liter I4 engine produces 168hp and provides more than enough power to get you anywhere you need to go. The gas mileage is listed at 23/31/26 and I got the exact same numbers.

A week of driving up and down the state of California showed me what a fun vehicle this is. An inexpensive (the review vehicle came in at $22,805.00) family 4-door car that has enough performance and comfort features to make you take a look.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Dole Whip with Li Hing Mui from Hula Girls Shave Ice



After hacking the dole whip at Disneyland with tajin, it was time to try another addition to the dole whip. This time I went to Hula Girls Shave Ice where they not only have dole whip but they have several options of seasonings to add on top of your dole whip. It was time to add the li hing mui powder to the dole whip.

What is li hing mui you may ask? Well li hing mui is a sweet and sour powder that transforms pretty much anything into an exotic, candied treat. You take pickled plum skins in licorice, salt and sugar and grind them into a very fine powder. A few dashes go a very long way.

How does the dole whip with li hing mui taste? The li hing mui actually neutralizes the acidity of the pineapple in the dole whip and you are left with a sweet and slightly sour dole whip that tastes even more amazing than just the dole whip itself!

Try this amazing combination yourself at Hula Girls Shave Ice:

16556 Bolsa Chica Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92649

or check out their site:

hulagirlsshaveice.com/


Monday, August 22, 2016

Cajun Garlic Fries with Bulgolgi from Nguyen's Kitchen in Orange


Located near the Children's Hospital of Orange County is Nguyen's Kitchen. They offer Vietnamese favorites and some modern twists such as sandwiches, pastas, garlic noodles and rice bowls. But the reason I stopped in was to try their Cajun garlic fries and you can add bulgolgi on top of that to create the above masterpiece. The bulgolgi is tender and flavorful, the fries are crisp and tasty with Cajun spices and garlic. This can be a meal all by itself.


I washed this all down with a refreshing peach and lychee green tea. It's not overpoweringly sweet and the flavors of the peach and lychee blend in perfectly with the green tea.

Check out Nguyen's Kitchen at:

445 S. Main Street, Ste B
Orange, CA 92868

or visit their site:

nguyenskitchen.com/

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Kubo and The Two Strings in Dolby Cinema Review - Laika Brings Us One of The Best Films of The Year


Monday night Kristen and I were able to attend the launch of the newest Dolby Cinema at AMC located at the AMC Del Amo 18. We also got to attend a Dolby Cinema Master Class and then see an advanced screening of Kubo and The Two Strings. As many of you know I am a huge fan of Dolby Cinema and continue to be blown away by the immersive cinematic experience that it provides.

For those of you not familiar with Dolby Cinema, there are three key components:

1. Dolby Vision - powerful dual-4K laser projection creating the most realistic images ever

2. Dolby Atmos - a reference quality sound system that moves audio around the theater in sync with the action to create a more immersive experience. There are 5 in-screen speakers with 48 surround speakers, 4 ceiling mounted subwoofers and in-seat transducers for extra rumble. 

3. Design - premium seating, a room painted matte black to reduce ambient lighting and a large curved wall-to-wall-to-ceiling screen to make the movie going experience immersive and memorable.


So now that you know a little bit more about Dolby Cinema, let's take a look at a behind the scenes featurette for Kubo and The Two Strings:

'Kubo and The Two Strings' in Dolby Cinema from Dolby Laboratories on Vimeo.

Now that you have taken a behind the scenes look into Kubo and The Two Strings, let's get into the movie review.

Kubo and The Two Strings is the latest stop motion animated film from the brilliant and creative minds at Laika. If you have seen Coraline, Paranorman or The Boxtrolls then you have seen Laika's work. I loved the first three films by Laika but Kubo and The Two Strings is the best by far.

Kubo and The Two Strings takes place in ancient Japan and is filled with powerful storytelling and visuals. The story surrounds Kubo, a young boy who lives with his mother. He spends his days entertaining the villagers with his story about a legendary warrior and his quest for a sword, a helmet and a breastplate that will make him invincible. Kubo tells his tale through origami figures that he magically brings to life with the use of his shamisen. Right when Kubo nears the end of the story, the town bell rings announcing that it is almost nightfall and Kubo must return home.

But one night Kubo doesn't return home before nightfall and he is taken away on a quest to find the armor. Kubo isn't alone on his quest as he is aided by an overly protective monkey and a brave samurai beetle. And in hot pursuit is the Moon King and two masked demons who are also his daughters. Without giving too much away, the enemy is part of Kubo's family and the story has some very unexpected twists and turns. As Kubo says in the very beginning of the movie, pay attention to everything.

The film is pure eye candy and is even more stunning in Dolby Cinema. You forget that you are watching painstaking stop-motion animation. The storyline is superb with a perfect blend of humor with an amazingly deep story about after-life mythology and lost loved ones.

Kubo and The Two Strings is a fully immersive experience in Dolby Cinema. The score emotionally pulls you into the movie with it's pure audio clarity. The sound effects literally float around you and further add to the experience. Wait until you hear the haunting voices of the masked demons. You will literally feel them around you. Then add flawless video with every detail being crisp and sharp. There is zero quality loss. This is what Dolby Cinema brings to the table, a full immersive movie going experience that is second to none. I cannot wait to see Kubo and The Two Strings again but I will only watch it in Dolby Cinema.

Kubo and The Two Strings is not only one of the best animated films of the year but also one of the best films of the year. I cannot wait to see what Laika brings us next.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer!


Watch the official trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, in which a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story arrives in theaters December 16, 2016.

Visit Star Wars at http://www.starwars.com
Subscribe to Star Wars on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/starwars
Like Star Wars on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/starwars
Follow Star Wars on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/starwars
Follow Star Wars on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/starwars
Follow Star Wars on Tumblr at http://starwars.tumblr.com/

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" 3D Collector¹s Edition - arriving in the US and Canada on Nov 15



OWN THE 3D COLLECTOR’S EDITION THIS FALL

Fans can fully immerse themselves in “The Force Awakens” through breathtaking 3D, new bonus features and collectible packaging!

BURBANK, Calif. (August 10, 2016— This fall, Star Wars fans around the world, will experience a galaxy far, far away—up close and in eye-popping 3D—through the highly anticipated “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” 3D Collector’s Edition, rolling out beginning Oct. 31 and arriving in the United States and Canada on Nov 15.

For the first time—and just in time for the holidays—viewers can bring home Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in 3D, encased in stunning, collectible packaging. The exclusive four-disc 3D Collector’s Edition contains the original theatrical release on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™, Digital HD and DVD, along with originally released bonus features and brand-new bonus material, including additional deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes conversations with cast and crew and revealing, never-before released audio commentary by director J.J. Abrams*.

*Collector’s Edition configuration may vary by territory

Upon its debut last December, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” received rave reviews from both critics and audiences, and shattered box office records with over $936 million domestic and $2 billion worldwide. The film has since been nominated for five Academy Awards® and took home the BAFTA Award for Special Visual Effects. “The Force Awakens” re-ignited the Star Wars franchise and fans eagerly await the next installment, arriving in theaters Dec. 2017, as well as the first in a series of standalone films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” premiering on Dec. 16, 2016.

Bonus features include*: 
3D COLLECTOR’S EDITION BONUS FEATURES:
Audio Commentary with J.J. Abrams – Enter the mind of visionary director J.J. Abrams as he reveals the creative and complex choices made while developing the first film in the new Star Wars trilogy.
Foley: A Sonic Tale – Foley artists, consisting of old pros and new talent, unite to bring the world of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” alive through the matching of sound to action.
Sounds of the Resistance – Hear how the epic sound design of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” moves the Star Wars legacy forward.
Deleted Scenes – View never-before-shared scenes that didn’t make the film’s final cut.
Dressing the Galaxy – Costume Designer Michael Kaplan reveals how the costumes of the original Star Wars movies were re-envisioned for a new generation.
The Scavenger and the Stormtrooper: A Conversation with Daisy Ridley and John Boyega – The two new stars share the thrill of working together on the adventure of a lifetime and becoming part of the Star Wars legacy.
Inside the Armory – Take a fascinating tour through the design and creation of the weaponry in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Classic Bonus Features  These offerings from the April release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” include the complete story behind the making of the film, an unforgettable cast table read, insights from legendary composer John Williams and deleted scenes, as well as features that dig deeper into the creation of new characters such as BB-8, the design of the climactic lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren, the film’s remarkable digital artistry and the Star Wars: Force for Change global aid initiative.

Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer. New bonus content is available in the 3D Collector’s Edition package only.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens” 3D Collector’s Edition global release dates include:
Australia
Nov. 9
Holland
Oct. 31
Sweden
Oct. 31
Brazil
Nov. 16
Italy
Nov. 2
US and Canada
Nov. 15
Germany
Nov. 24
Spain
Nov. 2

Star Wars: The Force Awakens” saw the eagerly anticipated reteaming of original Star Wars stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, along with Anthony Daniels, the only actor to have been in all seven Star Wars films, and Peter Mayhew. The returning cast was joined by newcomer Daisy Ridley, who beat out fierce competition to take the principal role of Rey; BAFTA Rising Star Award winner John Boyega (“Attack the Block,” “Imperial Dreams”) as reluctant stormtrooper Finn; Emmy® nominee Adam Driver (“Lincoln,” “Girls”) as the villainous Kylo Ren, and Golden Globe® winner Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis,” “The Bourne Legacy”) as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt. Lucasfilm president and eight-time Academy Award® nominee Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams, along with his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, are the film’s producers.

Having established a musical legacy with his iconic scores for the previous six films in the Star Wars saga, acclaimed composer John Williams returned to score “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” ultimately garnering his 50th Oscar® nomination for it.

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 136 min.
RATING: PG-13 in U.S.; PG in CE; G in CF
ASPECT RATIO: Blu-ray Feature Film = 2.40:1
DVD Feature Film = 2.40:1
AUDIO: Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio,
French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks
DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital,
English 2.0 Descriptive Audio Language Tracks
LANGUAGES: English, French & Spanish
SUBTITLES: English SDH, French & Spanish

SOCIAL MEDIA:

ABOUT “STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS”:
Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The film stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The screenplay is written by Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt.

ABOUT LUCASFILM LTD.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

ABOUT DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE (DMA):
Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) is an engaging and family-friendly cloud-based digital movie service that makes it simple to buy your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies once and watch them anywhere.  With DMA you can explore Disney’s library of over 450 eligible digital movies, discover hours of new and exclusive short-form content, and watch your digital movies from the comfort of the living room or across multiple mobile devices.   You can add the free DMA app to a multitude of devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android mobile phones and tablets, Android TV, Amazon’s Fire tablets, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Roku, and Xbox 360. Then, connect your DMA account with participating providers including iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, and Microsoft Movies & TV and your eligible movies will be shared across all your connected platforms.  In addition, you can redeem Digital Copy codes found in Disney, Pixar and Marvel Blu-rays and DVDs, as well as earn Disney Movie Rewards points with every digital purchase.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!