Go Go Grogu!

LEGO

Grogu and the Anzellans go for a joyride through the streets of Nevarro in this LEGO Star Wars short. 

Pompeii: Out Of Time

All images: National Geographic

Pompeii has fascinated us for centuries. It was lost when an eruption of Mount Vesuvius covered the city in volcanic ash in 79 AD. For years, we thought that everyone living there had died in the city. But what if we were wrong?

Recent excavations have added to our understanding of this ancient city and its people, including those who survived. National Geographic and Tom Hiddleston, best known as Marvel's Loki, are revisiting the story of Pompeii in a new three-part docudrama, Pompeii: Out Of Time.

Here's the official synopsis from National Geographic: 

Host and “Loki” star Tom Hiddleston and “Loki” executive producer Kevin R. Wright reunite for "Pompeii: Out of Time", a fusion of cinematic scripted drama and investigative documentary storytelling that transports audiences to ancient Rome in the hours before and during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 

Guided by a team of archaeologists, historians, geologists and disaster experts, he uncovers remarkable evidence — and the stories of real people that challenge long-held assumptions about Pompeii and its final hours — not least revealing that many of those caught up in the disaster had the chance to survive. Blending cutting-edge archaeological discoveries, expert analysis and deeply personal storytelling, the series reframes Pompeii not as a story of destruction but as a human drama of resilience, sacrifice and survival, revealing the lives, choices and destinies of those who stood in the shadow of Vesuvius.

Pompeii: Out Of Time debuts on National Geographic on July 22nd at 8/7c.

It arrives on DisneyPlus and Hulu the next day.

Dr. Nicholas Murray Quote

Harper's Weekly, 1861

“Do all the good you can;

in all the ways you can;

to all the people you can;

and just as long as you can.”

- Dr. Nicholas Murray

Beauty And The Beast Art

Do you remember, back in the day, when you would order the latest Disney movie at the Disney Store just so that you could get the lithograph? Unfortunately, I didn't live near a Disney Store, so I missed out on the cool art. But, I was lucky enough to find three sets at my favorite second hand store today. This set is four prints from my favorite Disney animated movie, Beauty and the Beast.

"Where You Are" - Moana

Disney

Like the animated version, Disney's live-action Moana has fantastic music. This new version of "Where You Are" is delightful.

Moana arrives in theaters today, July 10th.

Dune: Part Three

All images: Warner Bros

The first full trailer and poster for Dune: Part Three have arrived. This may be the darkest tale of the trilogy. It takes place nearly 20 years after the events of Dune: Part Two, and Paul is struggling with his role as Emperor.

Here's the official synopsis from Warner Bros: 

Dune: Part Three is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery. As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves the most.

The film stars Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Oscar nominee Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach de Bankolé, with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling, with Anya Taylor-Joy, and Robert Pattinson, and Oscar winner Javier Bardem.

Dune: Part Three arrives in theaters on December 18th.

The American Adventure

Disney

One of the most amazing animatronic shows at Disney World is "The American Adventure" in EPCOT. It tells the story of America with multiple scenes and figures from history. This video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Imagineering that goes into such an incredible show.

Meet Haymitch

All images: Lionsgate

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is the story of Haymitch Abernathy's time in the Hunger Games. This behind-the-scenes featurette shows how filmmakers are bringing Haymitch's journey to life.

Here's the official synopsis from Lionsgate: 

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arrives in theaters on November 20th.

Liberty

"Our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please to do what is right."

- Reverend Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the US Senate

Happy Independence Day!

Ellen H. Clapsaddle

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  

- The Declaration of Independence, 1776

A Capitol Fourth

PBS

One of my favorite performances to watch every Independence Day is A Capitol Fourth on PBS. Featuring popular singers both past and present, Jack Everly conducting the National Symphony Orchestra, and, of course, fireworks, there's something for everyone. This year will look a little bit different. The show will air a night early on July 3rd, and the fireworks will be over George Washington's Mount Vernon instead of DC.

You can watch A Capitol Fourth on PBS at 8/7C on July 3rd. Most stations repeat the broadcast immediately following the first. It can also be watched live on YouTube.

Minions & Monsters & Chocolate, Oh My

Amaury Guichon

In celebration of Illumination's Minions & Monsters, Amaury Guichon has created a fun display out of chocolate. James the Minion is being terrorized by Irene, a multi-eyed blob creature. It's so cute it's scary.

Minions & Monsters is in theaters now.

Previously On X-Men '97

Marvel

The second season of Marvel's X-Men '97 debuts tomorrow. So, before we see the return of Apocalypse, let's get a quick glimpse at all that happened in season 1.

Season 2 of X-Men '97 arrives on DisneyPlus tomorrow, July 1st.

X-Men: The Animated Series and season 1 of X-Men '97 are available now. 

Wildwood: Where The Woods Awaken Featurette

LAIKA

LAIKA's next animated movie, Wildwood, is looking incredible. The craftspeople of LAIKA have been working for more than a decade to create this fantastic world from wood, wire, fabric, and paint. Here's a  behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wildwood.

Wildwood arrives in theaters on October 23rd.

Avatar Skimwing Adventure LEGO

The Avatar movies are incredible. They are amazing stories about the Sully family and their trials and tribulations as they simply try to live on Pandora. LEGO made quite a few sets featuring the Sullys when Avatar: The Way Of Water was released. This set shows Jake Sully learning to ride a skimwing as Tonowari, the leader of the Metkayina Clan, looks on. All three Avatar movies, including the recently released Avatar: Fire and Ash, are available now on DisneyPlus. 

Something Hairy This Way Comes

All images: Aardman Animation

The second trailer for Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom has arrived and it looks hilarious. It seems that Shaun has become a mad scientist and created something unexpected. 

Here's the official synopsis from Aardman Animation:

"Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom" sees the residents of Mossy Bottom Farm looking forward to Halloween – until the clumsy Farmer trashes the Flock’s beloved pumpkin patch! When Shaun turns mad scientist to fix the problem, things rapidly spiral out of control... With The Farmer missing and a wild beast roaming the woods of Mossingham, all the ingredients are in place for a monstrously fun family adventure.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom arrives in theaters on September 18th.

The Owens Sisters Are Back

The first full trailer for Practical Magic 2 has arrived and it looks just as wild and magical as the original. This time around, it's Sally's daughters who must confront the curse of the Owens women.

Here's the official synopsis from Warner Bros: 

Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, "Practical Magic 2" returns to a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all in a must-see cinematic event of fun, magic and mayhem.

Starring along with Bullock and Kidman are Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, with Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing.

Practical Magic 2 arrives in theaters on September 11th.

X-Men '97 Season 2

All images: Marvel

The second season of Marvel's X-Men '97 is just one week away. The first season picked up where X-Men: The Animated Series left off in 1996. Season one was great, though intense, so I can't wait to see what happens in season two, including the return of Apocalypse.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

X-Men ’97 Season 2 continues with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time as they struggle to navigate their return home. Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the X-Men’s absence. 

The second season of the original animated series features 9 episodes, and the voice cast includes Ross Marquand as Professor X, Matthew Waterson as Magneto, Ray Chase as Cyclops, Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey, Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, Lenore Zann as Rogue, and George Buza as Beast.

Season 2 of Men '97 arrives on DisneyPlus on July 1st.

Minions & Monsters And The First LEGO

All images: Illumination

Illumination's Minions & Monsters looks absolutely hilarious. In this clip, we see the Minions living in ancient Greece, working for a Cyclops. And then, they create the first LEGO. As expected with the Minions, it does not go well.

Here's the official synopsis from Illumination: 

Fresh off the worldwide blockbuster success of summer 2024’s funniest comedy, "Despicable Me 4", Illumination expands its joyful animated universe with a riotous new chapter, featuring all-new characters, in the biggest global animated franchise in history: "Minions & Monsters". 

This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created. 

The acclaimed voice cast includes Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, Trey Parker, Bobby Moynihan, and Phil LaMarr.

Minions & Monsters arrives in theaters on July 1st.

Happy Father's Day

Hallmark

"It's EVERY day the WHOLE year through,

Not FATHER'S DAY ALONE,

That you're appreciated, Dad,

More than you've ever known;

It's EVERY day you're wished the things

That go to make you glad,

It's EVERY day you're thought about

With deep affection, Dad!"

- Unknown

Happy Father's Day!

You Shall Not Pass!

LEGO book nooks are so cool. This one features the Balrog from the Mines of Moria facing off against Gandalf. Open, the Balrog can spread his wings. Closed, it fits onto a bookshelf. I'll be putting it between the books and movies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I may have to add a light kit for an even more dramatic effect.

Welcome To Hexe, The World of Witches

Have you ever felt like you were a misfit in your own life? In Disney’s next animated movie, young Billie Doe feels that way, until she discovers something unexpected: a magical world where she just might fit in.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

The new trailer for "Hexed" introduces the impulsive and unconventional teenage girl Billie (Hailee Steinfeld) and her cautious mother, Alice (Rashida Jones). When Billie accidentally unleashes secret magical abilities, she’s hurtled out of suburbia and into a magical realm called Hexe, where she’s greeted by an enchanted feather quill pen, Ms. Quill (Tracy Ullman) and a magical journal, Elias Quire (Stephen Fry). As Billie’s spectacle-filled journey unfolds, she uncovers family mysteries that could change the magical world of witches forever.

Hexed arrives in theaters on November 25th.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Trailer & Poster

Marvel/Sony

A new trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day has arrived. It looks like Peter Parker has really had it rough since the world forgot him. And now, his mutation is evolving.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel & Sony: 

It's a BRAND NEW DAY for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see.

The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters on July 31st. A special Amazon Prime early screening hits theaters on July 29th.

"Along the Way" - Moana

Disney

Lin-Manuel Miranda has written a new song for Disney's live-action Moana. "Along the Way" is performed by Maui (Dwayne Johnson), and two Moanas: the original animated Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) and the new live-action Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia). The result is fantastic.

Moana arrives in theaters on July 10th.

Avatar: Fire and Ash on DisneyPlus

All images: 20th Century Studios

The wait is nearly over. Avatar: Fire and Ash is headed to DisneyPlus later this month. The Sully family is back for another adventure through the wilds of Pandora.

Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios: 

Head back to Pandora for the third chapter of Jake Sully’s story. This time, Jake, Neytiri, and the Sully family live among the Metkayina Clan in the reefs of Pandora while they grieve a devastating loss. As they try to protect another loved one, their journey brings them into contact with the Wind Traders and the Ash People, a Na’vi clan with its own pain, anger, and history. The sequel expands Pandora through a story of family, survival, adventure, and conflict.

Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives on DisneyPlus on June 24th. Avatar and Avatar: The Way Of Water are available now.

L.M. Montgomery Quote

Starfire Publishing

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June."

- Anne Shirley, Anne of the Island

The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter LEGO

The LEGO sets from The Mandalorian are so fun. I recently acquired the N-1 Starfighter set from a few years ago. It has four minifigs: Din Djarin, Grogu, Peli Motto, and a tiny BD Droid. It's a great addition to my ever-growing Star Wars LEGO collection.

Gatto Teaser & Poster

All images: Pixar

The first teaser trailer and poster for Pixar's Gatto have arrived. This animated movie looks hilarious: it's a mob story starring cats, set in Venice.

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar: 

Mark Ruffalo has joined the voice cast as the scrappy black cat Nero, and Laurence Fishburne will voice the ruthless mob boss cat Rocco. The teaser trailer introduces Nero and Rocco as they question another cat in a funny interrogation scene.

In “Gatto,” after years of maneuvering the canal-ridden, superstitious city of Venice, Italy, Nero begins to question whether he’s lived the right lives. Indebted to Rocco, the local feline mob boss, Nero finds himself in a quandary and is forced to forge a truly unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose—unless Venice gets the better of him first.

Gatto arrives in theaters on March 5, 2027.

Moana

All images: Disney

The final trailer for Disney's live-action Moana has arrived and it looks amazing. With each new trailer, we see a little more of the characters and special effects. Tamatoa looks incredible and sounds incredible as Jemaine Clement is back to voice the giant gold-hoarding crab.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.

Moana arrives in theaters on July 10th.

The Doomies

All images: Disney

A new supernatural animated series is headed to DisneyPlus. The Doomies follows two best friends who accidentally unleash the monsters of Subterra on their town. 

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

When best friends Bobby and Romy accidentally open a portal to evil, their tranquil coastal town transforms into a hotspot for terrifying creatures of doom. As the ordinary teens navigate this extraordinary mystery, they face off against literal and inner monsters in this epic comedy that combines thrills, chills, and emotional spills.

The Doomies premieres on DisneyPlus on June 26th.

It Takes A Holmes To Save A Holmes

Netflix

The first full trailer for Enola Holmes 3 has arrived and it look like it's going to be another wild adventure. Enola has been enjoying spending time with Tewkesbury, and they have decided to marry. But, in the Holmes family, things never go that easily: Sherlock has been kidnapped and apparently Enola is the only person who can rescue him. 

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix:

It will take a Holmes, to save a Holmes. The critically-acclaimed ‘Enola Holmes’ franchise has returned, taking Enola far from London, where personal and professional dreams collide on a case more tangled and treacherous than any she has faced before. 

The film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Louis Partridge, Henry Cavill, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Enola Holmes 3 arrives on Netflix on July 1st. 

Enola Holmes 1 & 2 are available now.

Mel Brooks Quote

Photo by Chris Jackson

"Humor is just another defense against the universe."

- Mel Brooks

LEGO Main Street USA

My latest Disney LEGO set just arrived and I can't wait to put it together. The Main Street USA set has 16 minifigures and 3899 pieces. There's so much to look at!

Ice Age: Boiling Point Teaser & Poster

All images: 20th Century Studios

The wild and ever growing herd of the Ice Age movies is back for another crazy adventure. The first teaser trailer and poster for the sixth installment, Ice Age: Boiling Point, has appeared and it looks just as fun as the previous films. Who knows what nuttiness Manny, Ellie, Diego, Sid, Crash, Eddie, Buck and Scrat will get up to. But, is that a baby Scrat and where's Peaches?!

Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century Studios: 

"Ice Age: Boiling Point" is a wild adventure through dinosaurs and lava as Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Scrat and the herd explore uncharted regions of the dangerous Lost World. This upcoming film stars Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Simon Pegg, and Queen Latifah.

Ice Age: Boiling Point arrives in theaters on February 5, 2027.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Theme Music

The music from The Mandalorian and Grogu is so iconic. It sounds like a western and a space movie combined, perfect for a story in the Star Wars Universe. 

The Mandalorian and Grogu is in theaters now.

Enola Holmes 3 Teaser and Posters

All images: Netflix

The first teaser trailer for Enola Holmes 3 has arrived and it looks fantastic. Enola is Sherlock Holmes younger sister and, like her brother, she is quite clever at solving crimes. This time around, she's supposed to be marrying Tewkesbury, but Sherlock has been kidnapped and Enola is the only person who can rescue him.

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix:

Tis I do?! The critically-acclaimed ‘Enola Holmes’ franchise has returned, taking Enola far from London, where personal and professional dreams collide on a case more tangled and treacherous than any she has faced before. The film stars Millie Bobby Brown, Louis Partridge, Henry Cavill, and Helena Bonham Carter.

The first two Enola Holmes movies are available now on Netflix. Enola Holmes 3 arrives on July 1st.