DISNEY AND PIXAR’S “LIGHTYEAR” TO LAUNCH ON DISNEY+ AUGUST 3

 

Disney+ revealed plans to stream Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” beginning August 3, 2022. “’Lightyear’ looks amazing on the big screen, of course, but we are so excited to bring it to Disney+,” said Angus MacLane, who helmed the film. “We devoted years of our lives to this film and we are so proud of it. We want to share it with as many people as possible. Disney+ not only gives more fans an opportunity to see ‘Lightyear,’ it gives us all the means to see it again and again.” 

 

4K Digital Review: The Bob's Burgers Movie

The plot of The Bob's Burgers Movie centers around several disasters around the restaurant including a loan that is now due and a water main break that has caused a massive sinkhole at the entrance to the restaurant. So, with the loan payment due that will repossess their equipment and not being able to bring customers into the restaurant, our story begins. Adding to the problems is a skeleton that is found in the sinkhole and thus leads us to the Belcher kids on  a Scooby-Doo type mystery. Filled with music, songs, humor and very real family dynamics makes this a movie worth watching. 

Video

The 4K streaming video is pristine as the movie, and the show for that matter, has a charming minimalism to it.  The animation is very simple and not overly complex and that lends itself to the charm of the movie. So, the fine detail that I usually discuss, is not part of the mix here.

Audio

The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack is solid and makes good use of the surround channels. The score surrounds you and sound effects envelope you especially in the Wonder Wharf sequence. The dialogue is centered and is crisp and clean. 

Take a look at the video for the home video release:

Bonus Features*

Audio Commentary

· Watch the movie with audio commentary by H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Directors Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman, Writer Nora Smith and Production Designer Ruben Hickman.

Featurette

· Making Of the Movie: Bob's Burgers Creator Loren Bouchard talks about turning Bob's Burgers the TV show into Bob's Burgers the show that’s a movie.

Theatrical Short (Seen Only in Limited Theaters)

· My Butt Has a Fever - Theatrical Version: The Belcher children perform in the school talent show in order to share their very important and powerful message.

· My Butt Has a Fever - Animatic Version: A look Behind-the-scenes, the animatic of the theatrical short My Butt Has a Fever.

Deleted Scenes

· Metal Detector: Bob and Linda go to City Hall in a version of the movie where they went to City Hall.

· Burning Piers: The turbulent history of Wonder Wharf.

· Grover's Office: Bob and Linda go to Grover’s office in a version of the movie where they went to Grover’s Office.

Deleted Scenes with Audio Commentary

· The Movie We Didn't Make: Creator Loren Bouchard and Writer Nora Smith discuss trying to make a movie, particularly The Bob’s Burger Movie.

· Metal Detector: Bob and Linda go to City Hall, with commentary by Creator Loren Bouchard and Writer Nora Smith.

· Burning Piers: The turbulent history of Wonder Wharf, with commentary by Creator Loren Bouchard and Writer Nora Smith.

· Grover's Office: Bob and Linda go to Grover's Office, with commentary by Creator Loren Bouchard and Writer Nora Smith.

Animation Extras - Animatics

"Sunny Side Up Summer" Storyboards and Rough Animation: The work-in-progress not-even-color-yet animatic of the song “Sunny Side Up Summer.”

· "Lucky Ducks" Storyboards and Rough Animation: The work-in-progress not-even-color-yet animatic of the song “Lucky Ducks.”

· "Not That Evil" Storyboards and Rough Animation Featuring David Wain: David Wain performs an entire dance routine, with no formal training, to his character Grover’s song “Not That Evil.” Plays alongside the song’s animatic.

· "End Credits" Storyboards and Rough Animation: The work-in-progress animatic of the End Credits, comes with provocative dance moves and unconventional rhythm.

Animation Extras - Animating the Scene

· Linda Through the Pass-Through with Commentary by Director Bernard Derriman: The progression of a scene from storyboard to animation, with commentary by Director Bernard Derriman, and also Linda is in it.

· Bob And Linda Go to The Bank: A time lapse of the bank scene being animated.

· Bob And Linda Go to The Bank with Commentary by Director Bernard Derriman: A time lapse of the bank scene being animated, with commentary by Director Bernard Derriman.

· Louise Grabs the Fuse: A time lapse of the “Louise Grabs the Fuse” scene being animated.

· Louise Grabs the Fuse with Commentary by Director Bernard Derriman: A time lapse of the “Louise Grabs the Fuse” scene being animated, with commentary by Director Bernard Derriman.

Conclusion

The movie will be enjoyed by everyone who enjoys the series and even by those who are discovering the Belcher family for the first time. The vast amounts of bonus features have a sense of hope and optimism. A solid video and audio with wonderful bonus features make this a welcome addition into your collection.  

The Bob's Burgers Movie is available now on digital, Blu-ray and DVD.

*A digital copy was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own.*

4K Digital Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness takes place a few months after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. It opens with Strange waking from a nightmare, where he is being helped by a young girl as they are being chased by a monster. As he attends the wedding of his ex, Christine Palmer, a monster attacks New York City. As Strange springs into action he realizes the monster is the one from his nightmare. That monster is chasing the young girl Strange also saw in that same nightmare. 

Strange, with the help of Wong, defeats the monster and they save the young girl. This young girl is America Chavez and she is able to travel the multiverse. She tells strange and Wong that someone is after her to use her powers for their own needs. 

Strange realizes that a witch is controlling the monster and seeks out Wanda to help him discover who this witch may be. When it becomes apparent that the Scarlet Witch has taken over Wanda, Strange and America find themselves traveling the multiverse to find a way to stop the Scarlet Witch.

Sam Raimi was the perfect choice to direct the darkest film in the MCU to date. The film is filled with his quick camera moves and dark humor. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen are both fantastic but Olsen really shines here. Her performance is power, emotional and compelling. 

There are a lot of surprises, some fantastic easter eggs and two post credit scenes so, as always, stay until the very end. 

Video

The streaming 4K video is stunning as to be expected from Disney. The attention is in the details from skin tones, to costume textures and all the details in the multiverse whether it is real or computer generated. The colors are bold and leap off the screen from Strange's cape to America's denim jacket. This is as perfect as you can get.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is pretty solid. Some of the action scenes could use more depth from the sound field but other than that the surround sound is rich and enveloping as to be expected from Marvel and Disney. The dialogue is clear and centered throughout the entire movie.

Check out the trailer for the home video release below:

Bonus Features*

There are some fun bonus features but the real star is the audio commentary that is insightful of the story and film making process and maybe gives some clues into the future of the MCU.

Featurettes

• Method to the Madness - Join various crew members and Marvel employees in interviews as they discuss their love of Sam Raimi and all the details of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that make it quintessentially Raimi.
• Introducing America Chavez - In this short and fun profile piece, we’ll learn about America’s humble beginnings in the comics. We’ll meet Xochitl Gomez and discuss the complications her character's unique power presents for the future of the MCU.
• Constructing the Multiverse - Writing a feature film for Marvel is no easy task. In this playful yet informative featurette, we’ll dive into the challenges that writer Michael Waldron faced in creating the twisting and turning story of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Bloopers

• Gag Reel - Take a look at some of the fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Deleted Scenes

• A Great Team - A journalist questions Doctor Strange's integrity.
• Pizza Poppa - Bruce is relieved when Doctor Strange's spell ends.
• It's Not Permanent - Bruce tries to accuse Doctor Strange of being an imposter.

Audio Commentary

• View the film with audio commentary by Sam Raimi, Richie Palmer, and Michael Waldron.

Conclusion

Another solid entry into the MCU as Phase 4 moves right along. Near perfect video and audio with some fun bonus features and a fantastic audio commentary makes this a must have in your collection. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now available for digital download and will be available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on July 26th.

*The digital copy was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the sole purpose of this review and the review is strictly my own opinion.*

CHOC Adventure In The Park to Celebrate 30 Years of CHOC Walk In The Park

 

This year celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Walk. This year's celebration will be totally unique in that it will be a party in Disney California Adventure Park on August 27th, 2022!

Join Team Sasaki Time Here

or join Rosanna's Team here:

JOIN COLIN AND ZACHARY'S FAN CLUB

We are both working together to raise funds for CHOC! And the funds I raise are going right into Rosanna's Team!

On July 6th, a few members of the media and select influencers were invited to learn more about the CHOC Adventure In The Park! This is going to be an amazing event that starts off as mix-in party with regular park guests from 5 pm to 9 pm. Then from 9 pm until midnight the park will be totally for CHOC Adventure In The Park! 

What will be available to do you ask? Well, attractions, shops, entertainment, food and a few magical moments. There will even be a special World of Color show! There will also be discounts at some neighboring hotels in the area.  

It is very fitting that the 30th Anniversary of the CHOC Walk is taking place in a Disney Park. The relationship between CHOC and Disney goes back to 1960 with Walt Disney himself! Over $37.5 million has been raised just between CHOC and The Disneyland Resort! 

 The fundraising goes towards the millions of children that enter CHOC to get the care they need. This year I am partnering with my lovely friend Rosanna and her family who have a very personal connection to CHOC and below is their story in her words:

On July 30, 2008, I went into labor two months early. It was my first pregnancy after almost two years of trying to get pregnant. I was pregnant with two boys, my Zachary and my Colin. It was a high-risk pregnancy from the start. I almost lost them very early on.

When I went into labor two months early, we rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital and I was sent to do an emergency C-section. Zachary was born first, teeny tiny with a mighty cry, but his lungs weren’t fully developed and he had to be taken to CHOC’s NICU across the street.

Colin was silent at birth and when I begged to see him and he wasn’t brought to me right away, I knew something was wrong, but I couldn’t admit it to myself. They eventually wrapped him up tight and brought him to me. He held my finger tightly and I thought it might be okay.

While I recovered from my surgery, Colin and Zachary went straight to CHOC’s NICU. Colin was in his own room and Zachary in the regular NICU.

Colin’s condition was extremely serious. The CHOC nurses were amazing and went above and beyond to make him as comfortable as they could. When he left us on August 5, 2008, they made sure he was surrounded by our family, surrounded by love as he went on to a better place. They grieved along side us and checked on us daily.

Zachary stayed in the NICU for a month while his lungs and heart grew stronger. We had many scares when he would just randomly stop breathing, but he was diligently cared for by his amazing nurse.

It was the most bittersweet time of our lives. Here we had our amazing Zachary, who was tiny but a mighty fighter, making leaps and bounds thanks to CHOC’s care. But we also were in the most pain we had ever been in having lost our little Colin. The nurses, doctors, and staff were amazing. Not only were our boys well-cared for, but they cared for us, too. We were, understandably, struggling.

When Zachary finally came home a month later, we were terrified new parents, but we had been given so many tools and so much advice to help us through the transition. We are FOREVER grateful to all of the staff at CHOC for the help they provided us!

They saved our Zachary’s life again when he was in first grade and had a horrible asthma attack that sent him to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for 5 days. We thought we were going to lose him. It was terrifying, but again, CHOC’s team of nurses, doctors, and staff went above and beyond for our sweet boy and he came home to celebrate Christmas with us.

We have made sure both Zachary and Elliott’s health insurance is affiliated with CHOC. We can’t thank them enough. This is why we donate. This is why we did the CHOC Walk for years. This is why we are excited to participate in the 30th Anniversary of the CHOC Walk and to see it re-imagined as the CHOC Adventure in the Park!

And it's families like my friend Rosanna that we are raising funds for. She made this touching video below to thank everyone at CHOC for what they do and for her family and for hundreds of other families like hers! 

So, you can get involved by helping share this post, donating using the link above or registering and becoming a participant yourself! To attend the CHOC Adventure In The Park, each participant needs to raise $250 before August 5th! The event will have a capacity cap and weekly emails will keep you updated on how much space is still available as people reach their $250 threshold! So, once it is full, it is full! 

REGISTER NOW to attend the CHOC Adventure In The Park! Once you are registered then raise the $250 to join us in the park for a magical night as we celebrate 30 Years of CHOC! And if you cannot attend the event then please think about donating even a dollar! Every dollar counts and goes a long way to helping children! And if you are able to join us in the park then be prepared for a one-of-a-kind event and look for us!