Kung Fu Panda 4

All images: DreamWorks

Can you believe there's going to be another Kung Fu Panda movie? I love this DreamWorks series and Dragon Warrior Po and his friends and family. And, once again, Po is asked to be something unexpected, which should lead to some hilarious moments and a grand adventure. I can't wait!

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

This spring, for the first time in almost a decade, comedy icon Jack Black returns to his role as Po, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master, with a hilarious, butt-kicking new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s beloved action-comedy franchise: Kung Fu Panda 4. 

After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position. 

Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. 

So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places. 

The film features the voice talent of returning stars Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master, Shifu; James Hong as Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping; Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father, Li, and Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Ke Huy Quan joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves. 

Kung Fu Panda 4 arrives in theaters on March 8th.

Behind the Scenes of Kung Fu Panda 4

DreamWorks

Sixteen years ago, Po, a rather bumbling panda who loved the art of Kung Fu, stumbled his way into becoming the Dragon Warrior. Now, three movies, 3 series, and an awesome holiday special later, it's time for Po to pass on the mantle and become something more. Here's a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Kung Fu Panda 4. It's gonna be epic.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unm atched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position. 

Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. 

So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places.

The film features the voice talent of returning stars Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, James Hong as Po’s adoptive father Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father Li, and Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Ke Huy Quan joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves. 

 

Kung Fu Panda 4 arrives in theaters on March 8th.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Dreamworks

I took Bean to see Kung Fu Panda 2 today, and I have to say, this may be the rare case where the sequel is even better than the original. As Po would say, "It was AWESOME!!"

I loved the story and that they finally revealed Po's past, and that, shockingly, he's adopted. The Furious Five have truly become a team and work very well together. This time they must save all of China from an evil Peacock, voiced by Gary Oldman. All of the original cast appears to have returned, so the voices sound the same, which is great. The movie was at times hilarious and sad, serious and silly. I won't give any spoilers because it's well worth watching and you'll want to discover every moment for yourself.

All I can say is I really loved it. Bean asked me why we couldn't just take it home and watch it again, which she only does with movies she really likes. And keep an eye out during the opening credits. That's not the normal little boy on the moon that Dreamworks usually uses, it's Master Oogway from the first film, in a swirl of peach blossoms.

Quote of the Week

DreamWorks

Your mind is like water.

When it is agitated

it becomes difficult to see.

But if you allow it settle,

the answer becomes clear.

- Master Oogway,

Kung Fu Panda

Christmas Movies for Kids Part 3

I love many of the kids Christmas movies that have appeared in recent years. I especially enjoy those from DreamWorks Animation. They have created several short Christmas films that feature characters from their popular series.

How to Train Your Dragon: Gift of the Night Fury - This is a wonderful tale about Hiccup and his Viking pals and their dragons. As the Vikings prepare to celebrate Snoggletog, the dragons suddenly leave, dampening everyone's spirits. Even Toothless leaves once Hiccup provides him with a new tail. As Hiccup's pals work together to save Snoggletog, Hiccup tries to discover what has happened to the dragons. In the end, everyone comes together to celebrate the true meaning of the season: the love of family.

Shrek The Halls - With Christmas rapidly approaching, Princess Fiona and the babies are looking forward to spending the holidays as a family. Unfortunately, Shrek knows nothing about Christmas. As he struggles to create the perfect Christmas from the book "Christmas for Village Idiots", his friends manage to destroy everything. With a little help from Fiona, Shrek learns the meaning of family, and finally discovers the perfect Christmas.

Kung Fu Panda Holiday - Po has always celebrated the Winter Feast with his father, but this year, he's expected to host a formal dinner for the Kung Fu Masters. With the help of the Furious Five, Po tries to create the best Winter Feast ever. Along the way, he tries to discover the true meaning of the holidays; time spent with family and those he loves.

Merry Madagascar - When Alex and his zoo pals shoot down Santa, whom they had mistaken for the "red night goblin" the lemurs fear, they worry that they've ruined Christmas. Working quickly, Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, and those wacky penguin come up with a plan to save the day: they'll deliver the presents while Santa recovers from his amnesia. With some madcap hijinks and more than a few mistake, the animals manage to save Christmas, but are forced to return to Madagascar to bring Santa his sleigh. In the end, they discover that giving makes it all worth while, and they are happy to celebrate the holiday.

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special - While Manny and Ellie get ready for their first Christmas with their daughter Peaches, Sid does what he always does, and ruins everything by breaking Manny 's heirloom Christmas rock. Manny informs Sid that he has just made Santa's naughty list, even though he made it up. So, Peaches, Sid, Crash, and Eddie journey to the North Pole to set things right, with hilarious results!

Christmas Movies To Put You In The Holiday Spirit

Jim Henson Company

I love Christmas movies! From animated Disney tales to every possible version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, I can easily find a movie for every day of the month. Here are a few of my favorites.

Eloise at Christmastime

Eloise: Little Miss Christmas

Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Prep & Landing

Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice

How to Train Your Dragon: Gift of the Night Fury

Shrek the Halls

Kung Fu Panda Holiday

Merry Madagascar

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special

Disney

Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas

Yes, Virginia

The Santa Clause Trilogy

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Santa and Pete

The Polar Express

Muppet Christmas Carol

Arthur Christmas

Klaus

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

TNT

White Christmas

Miracle on 34th Street

The Man Who Saved Christmas

Silent Night

The Holiday

A Christmas Carol

Scrooge

A Christmas Carol: The Musical

And here are a few more I've discovered recently.

Illumination

The Grinch - This delightful retelling of the Grinch shows him as hating Christmas simply because he's lonely. In this version, he's not terribly mean, even to his dog Max, just a bit ornery when it comes to how the Whos down in Who-ville celebrate Christmas. 

DreamWorks

How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming - Hiccup and Astrid are preparing to celebrate Snoggletog in New Berk when they discover that their kids don't understand dragons. At the same time, Toothless' children are trying to understand their father's obsession with Hiccup. All of the kids will discover something new this holiday.

Bleecker Street

The Man Who Invented Christmas - Have you ever wondered about the man behind A Christmas Carol? Charles Dickens changed our views of Christmas, making it an important and charitable holiday, with the incredible story of Ebenezer Scrooge. This movie tells the story of Scrooge's creation.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2022

Mom and I at the 2019 Festival

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off tomorrow, January 14. The festival features a variety of artwork, food, and performing arts that is an absolute delight. One of the best parts of this EPCOT festival is that you can meet and talk with your favorite artists and even have them autograph their artwork. 

More than 100 Disney and visiting artists will be on hand each day showcasing their artwork. Guests can become a part of the art in Artful Photo Ops throughout World Showcase, by learning to draw a Disney Character at Animation Academy, and by painting a few squares at Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural. Fifteen Food Studios will be filled with delicious art-inspired treats that are as delightful to the eye as they are to the taste buds. The Disney On Broadway Concert Series will return with 3 performances each evening. The shows feature Broadway stars performing songs from over 25 years of Disney stage productions. 

And don't forget the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, a food stroll of five sweet and savory dishes listed in the Festival Passport. Once you've purchased and gotten a stamp for the five colorful dishes, head to Deco Delights for your Artist Palette Cookie. 

Here are the dishes you can expect to find in the Food Studios throughout World Showcase.

All food images: Disney

The Craftsman’s Courtyard (near Disney Traders)🧁

• Cast Iron-roasted P.E.I. Mussels with Sautéed Tomatoes, Garlic, and Fresh Herbs🧁
• Cast Iron-seared Steelhead Trout with parsley salad, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, and lemon aïoli🧁
• Wheat Beer
• Chardonnay
• Rosé
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Wine Flight

El Artista Hambriento (Mexico)

• Huarache Verde: Cilantro huarache with cochinita pibil, fresh pineapple, and pickled onion (New)
• Carne Asada: Seared beef tenderloin, grilled queso fresco, refried beans, scallion, and ranchera salsa 🧁
• Taco de Chocolate: Chocolate candy shell filled with Mexican chocolate mousse with a touch of chile topped with seasonal fruit 🥖 
• Mexican Craft Beer: Crafted with citrus notes and made with Mexican Caribbean seawater
• The Lily: Blanco tequila, violet essence Infusion, rose petal liqueur, cranberry, and lime juice
• Smoky Raspberry: Blanco tequila, rosemary-infused mezcal, ginger cordial, lime juice, and rosemary aroma

The Painted Panda (China)

• General Tso’s Chicken Shumai
• Char Siu Pork Bun
• “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic milk tea with black and white boba 🧋
• Jasmine Draft Beer
• Eastern Dynasty: Vodka, light rum, strawberry syrup, piña colada mix, soda water, and magic boba pearls
• Kung Fu Punch: Vodka, triple sec, mango syrup, orange juice, and soda water
• Sea Butterfly: Butterfly pea flower-infused cocktail with vodka, light rum, lychee syrup, magic boba pearls

Refreshment Outpost

• Plant-based Bratwurst with spicy turmeric aïoli, coffee barbecue jackfruit, and slaw 🥕
• Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Blue Raspberry Blonde Ale
• Nairobi Coffee Dark Beer
• Brown Ale

Pastoral Palate (Germany)

• Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with parsnip purée, broccolini, baby tomatoes, and aged balsamic
• Wild Boar Cassoulet with duck confit, ham hock, and wild boar sausage 🧁
• Opera Cake: Almond joconde, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache
• Rosé Hard Cider
• Rosé Blonde Ale
• Frozen Rosé
• A Play on Rosé Flight
• Old Vine Rosé

L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy)

• Arancini: Fried risotto balls stuffed with braised-beef and served with pomodoro sauce 🧁
• Ravioli alla Boscaiola: Sweet sausage ravioli, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and creamy Parmesan sauce 🧁
• Bomboloni: Chocolate-hazelnut Italian doughnut with powdered sugar 🧁
• Peroni Pilsner
• Pinot Grigio
• Chianti
• Prosecco
• Red Sparkling Wine
• Moscato
• Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
• Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
• Italian Margarita with Tequila and Limoncello
• Amaretto Bellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée, and Prosecco
• Bergamotto: Rosolio Liqueur, Prosecco, and Olive

The Artist’s Table (America)

• Beef Wellington: Mushroom duxelle, prosciutto, and puff pastry with red wine demi-glace and baby vegetables
• Pan-seared Scallops with vanilla-butternut squash purée, brown butter cauliflower purée, and lime foam 🎨 - Orange
• Pistachio Cake with cherry mousse and morello cherries
• Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, milk, and dark chocolate 🧋
• White Ale
• Amber Ale
• Brown Ale
• Pinot Noir
• Symphony in Chocolate Flight: Cream liqueurs paired with Sipping Chocolates
• Beer Flight

Funnel Cake

• Cherry Blossom Funnel Cake: Chocolate chip funnel cake topped with cherry ice cream, rainbow whipped cream, chocolate chips, and a maraschino cherry 🧁

Goshiki (Japan)

• Chicken Kushiage: Breaded and fried chicken with yum yum sauce and vegetables 🧁
• Sushi Donut: Donut-shaped sushi featuring salmon, tuna, shrimp, cucumber, and sesame seed over a decorated plate of wasabi aïoli, sriracha, and eel sauce
• Winter Ale
• Sake in a traditional personalized wooden cup
• Niseko Flurry: Sake, rum, white cranberry juice, blue curaçao, and lime juice 🧁

Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco)

• Carrots Three Ways: Berbere-spiced grilled carrots, pickled carrots, and carrot ginger purée 🧁🥕
• House-made Crispy Almond Phyllo Pockets with white chocolate pomegranate and milk chocolate orange 🧁
• Chai Tea Mint Mimosa: Twinings of London Chai Tea with Key lime sparkling wine and mint
• Sangria Hard Cider
• Chai Hard Cider
• Berry Hard Cider
• Cider Flight

Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina (Between Morocco & France)

• House-made Chorizo and Potato Empanada with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli 🧁🎨 - Yellow
• Spicy Ajiaco Soup with guajillo and árbol chili-spiced chicken, potato, avocado, corn, and crème fraîche🧁🥖 (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New)
• Passion Fruit Mousse with Dragon Fruit Jam 🥖
• Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie 🧋
• Frozen Piña Colada
• Passion Fruit Daiquiri

L’Art de la Cuisine Française (France)

• Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm creamy brie in a house-made bread bowl
• Croissant à la Truffe Noire d’Hiver: Black winter truffle croissant served warm
• Mousseline de Bisque de Homard Froide, Brioche Feuilletée à l’Aneth: Chilled lobster bisque mousse served with dill brioche 🧁
• Moelleux aux Noisettes et Chocolats Valrhona: Molten chocolate and hazelnut cake with pure origin Valrhona chocolates
• Frozen French Martini: Vodka, black raspberry liqueur, pineapple, orange, and grape juice with lemon-lime foam
• French Rosé Sparkling Wine
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Sparkling Chardonnay

Gourmet Landscapes (Canada)

• Blood Orange-braised Beet Carpaccio with mustard vinaigrette, pickled clamshell mushrooms, golden beets, and crostini 🧁🥕🎨 - Red
• Roasted Bone Marrow with onion marmalade, pickled mushrooms, mache lettuce, and bone marrow snow 🧁
• Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings, and Zinfandel Reduction
• German Lager
• Cuvée Sparkling Wine
• Merlot
• Frozen Rusty Nail Cocktail

Refreshment Port (Near Canada)

• Gnocchi Poutine with red wine-braised beef, cheese curds, basil, and burrata 🧁
• Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Blood Orange Cosmo: Vodka with blood orange, cranberry, and lime 🧁
• Hard Cider

Pop Eats! (Near Port of Entry)

• Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
• Tomato Soup with Bacon, Apple, and Brie Grilled Cheese 🧁
• Almond Frangipane Cake layered with raspberry jam and Belgian chocolate
• Pop’t Art: Modern-designed sugar cookie with chocolate-hazelnut filling
• Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket with Rainbow Popcorn (Limit 2 per guest)🧁
• Tomato Soup Can Bloody Mary
• Hazy IPA

The Deconstructed Dish (Near Port of Entry)

• Deconstructed BLT: Crispy pork belly, soft-poached egg, brioche, watercress espuma, and tomato jam
• Deconstructed French Onion Soup: Beef broth ravioli, Gruyère espuma, onion bread pudding, and onion textures 🧁
• Deconstructed Key Lime Pie: Flexible Key lime curd, “Key lime” mousse, graham cracker cake, and meringues 🧁🎨 - Green
• Deconstructed Apple Pie à la Mode: Apple-cinnamon gelato, cinnamon apple cider, apple pie filling, and streusel 🧁🧋
• Brown Ale

Deco Delights (Near Port of Entry)

• Dulce Chocolate Mousse with chocolate crémeux and dark chocolate truffle 🧁
• Decadent Valrhona Chocolate with dark chocolate mousse, chocolate brownie, and cassis mousse 🧁
• Orange Mousse with lemon cake and raspberry meringues 🧁
• Artist Palette Cookie 🎨 - Prize
• Strawberry Blonde Nitro
• Vanilla Porter
• Milk Stout
• Neapolitan Beer Flight

The Donut Box (Near Test Track)

• Vanilla Donut with strawberry sugar, strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries, and strawberry gele 🧁🎨 - Pink
• Inside Out Donut: Vanilla donut with Bavarian cream 🧁
• Chocolate-dipped Donut with black and gold sugar sprinkles and chocolate buttercream 🧁
• Rosé
• Cold Fashion Coffee Cocktail

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

• World Discovery (Near Mission: SPACE) – Mocha Masterpiece Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold brew topped with whipped cream and chocolate puffs
• Canada – Colorful Canvas Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold brew topped with whipped cream and fruity cereal
• World Showcase (Near Disney Traders) – Cinnamon Swirl Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold brew topped with whipped cream and cinnamon squares
• The American Adventure – Rainbow Dreams Cold Brew: A sweet creamy cold crew topped with whipped cream and colorful marshmallow crunch

🧁 New

🧋Non-alcoholic

🥖 Gluten/Wheat Friendly

🥕 Plant-based 

🎨 Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs from January 14 through February 21, 2022.