Quote of the Week

Sometimes the world seems against you

The journey may leave a scar

But scars can heal and reveal

Just where you are

- Gramma Tala, Moana

Behind the Scenes of Happily Ever After

Disney

On May 12, a new nighttime fireworks spectacular called "Happily Ever After" will debut at the Magic Kingdom. The elaborate show will feature the latest in fireworks, pyrotechnics, and projections, as well as new animation and a new score. The show will also include more Disney characters than any previous show. The goal is to take guests on a "hero's journey" and encourage them to dream big and never give up. Disney has released a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of the show, which looks pretty amazing.

Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer

Spider-Man is back in this latest addition to the Avengers universe. Tom Holland, who filled the role of Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War, returns as the webcrawler. Taking advice from Tony Stark to be a "friendly, neighborhood Spiderman," Peter starts to explore both his abilities and his responsibilities, until meeting the latest villain, the Vulture, played by Michael Keaton.

Spider-Man: Homecoming arrives in theaters on July 7.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Trailer 4 and Poster

Disney

Disney has released another Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales trailer. The voice over by Salazar says, "Pirates had infected the seas for generations, so I vowed to eliminate them all. Jack Sparrow cursed me. I will have my revenge." The new poster from Germany features this face off between Jack and Salazar. It's seems Captain Jack has gotten himself into trouble again, and, according to the trailer, somehow lost his pants.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales arrives in theaters on May 26.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Teaser Trailer 3

Marvel

Baby Groot is so cute! And I love Peter Quills description of the Guardians: "A thief, one thug, an assassin, a maniac, and an angry little tree."

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 arrives in theaters on May 5. Tickets are on sale now.

Moana As Told by LEGO

LEGO

Disney and LEGO have teamed up for a new series of "As Told By" videos. The series, which encourages kids to use their imaginations, will include classic Disney stories as well as those from Marvel and Lucasfilms.

The first short features Moana, Maui, Hei-Hei, and Pua as they recreate the movie, entirely from LEGO bricks. You're welcome!

Pirates of the Caribbean

Disney

Earlier this month, Disneyland marked the 50th anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates has always been one of my favorite rides. It's rather nostalgic for me, and I never tire of riding it. (Which is a good thing, because it's one of Bean's favorite rides, too.) In honor of the anniversary, the Disney Parks Blog has released a video of Walt Disney telling the tale of the Pirates of the Caribbean. It was the last ride Walt oversaw personally, although he died before it could be completed.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Posters

All images: Marvel

It's been a big week for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 posters. First, director James Gunn released a poster featuring the whole cast as well as the fact that the movie will be bigger and better in IMAX.

Then came the poster-like covers of Empire magazine, which should be available on newsstands now. I especially liked this Groot cover which was a subscriber exclusive.

Finally, Gunn and several of the actors released character posters on various social media. The first features Star-Lord, looking dashing, as usual.

Gamora looks angry and ready for anything.

Rocket looks ready to take on the universe, 

and hopefully save it in the process.

Baby Groot is absolutely adorable, 

and probably a bit mischievous. 

Drax appears to be preparing for war.

Nebula seems to be a bit annoyed

 with her new position with the Guardians. 

Yondu has also joined the Guardians. 

It will be interesting to see how he fits in.

Newcomer Mantis seems very innocent, 

having never encountered other humanoids before.

Ayesha, a genetically engineered being,

 is as beautiful as she is deadly.

The final poster features Kurt Russell as Star-Lord's dad, Ego, the Living Planet. This is a departure from the comics, and the part was written specifically for Russell, at Chris Pratt's suggestion. When not in humanoid form, Ego is one of the biggest visual effects of all time. 

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 arrives in theaters on May 5.

Quote of the Week

Cheer up, child. 

It'll turn out all right in the end.

You'll see.

- Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Posters

The posters for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales are quite extraordinary.

Apparently it's going to be called Salazar's Revenge for the international market.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales arrives in theaters on May 26.

Beauty and the Beast Tsum Tsum Set

In celebration of the new Beauty and the Beast film, Disney has released an adorable Tsum Tsum set.

The set of eight mini Tsums store inside a large Tsum Tsum of Sultan the footstool.

The minis include Belle and Prince Adam, "human again" Cogsworth, Lumiere, Fifi, Mrs. Potts and Chip, and Sultan the dog. So cute! The set is available exclusively from the Disney Store.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Trailer 3

Marvel

I love all of the shots of little Groot. So cute! And Nebula thinking they're the Gardens of the Galaxy. Should be funny!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 arrives in theaters on May 5.

Cars 3 Characters and a New Poster

In Cars 3, Lightning McQueen is no longer the young hotshot. He experiences a brush with death that forces him to reexamine his racing career. While many of his friends are returning to help him, there will also be several new cars joining the lineup.

Lightning's villainous new nemesis is a tech-savvy car named Jackson Storm, voiced by Armie Hammer.

A lifelong fan of Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, voiced by Cristela Alonzo, comes to his aid, acting as his new trainer.

Sterling, a brilliant businesscar in charge of the Rust-eze Racing Center, will be voiced by Nathan Fillion.

A statistical analyst, who is all about the numbers, Natalie Certain will be voiced by Kerry Washington.

Miss Fritters, voiced by Lea DeLaria, is a demolition derby legend, a giant school bus with a penchant for collecting her victims' license plates.

It sounds like quite the cast. Cars 3 arrives in theaters on June 16.

Coco Poster and Trailer

All images: Pixar

Disney and Pixar have released a new poster and teaser trailer for Coco, their Dia de los Muertos film which is coming to theaters November 22.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney and Pixar:

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colourful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Character actress Renée Victor also joins the cast as Abuelita, Miguel’s grandmother.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May your pockets be heavy

And your heart be light,

May good luck pursue you

Each morning and night.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Beauty and the Beast Is Here!

Beauty and the Beast has finally arrived in theaters. Are you planning to see it this weekend?

Dinner Invitation - Beauty and the Beast

Disney

The wait is nearly over! Beauty and the Beast arrives in theaters tomorrow. Here's one final clip to make you smile. I love the way the Beast "smiles"!

Bringing Beauty to Life - Beauty and the Beast

Disney

It seems that the entire cast of Beauty and the Beast were fans of the original, so it will be interesting to see what changes they've made to make it an even better story.

Gaston - Beauty and the Beast

Disney

Somehow, Gaston’s song looks even funnier when it's Josh Gad singing it and Luke Evans acting the smug villain. Hilarious!

Beauty and the Beast arrives in theaters on March 17.

Lumiere Plots Romance - Beauty and the Beast

Disney

Aww Lumiere, ever the romantic!

Beauty and the Beast arrives in theaters on March 17.

Happy - Beauty and the Beast

Just five more days until the premiere!

Beauty and the Beast arrives in theaters on March 17.

Beauty and the Beast Music Video

Disney

Ariana Grande and John Legend perform the title song in this music video.

Beauty and the Beast arrives in theaters on March 17.

Beauty and the Beast Academy Awards Spot

Disney

To celebrate the countdown to the premiere of Beauty and the Beast, I've planned a whole week of trailers, clips, and behind the scenes fun. This is the TV trailer which was released during the Oscars.

Thor: Ragnarok Photos

Photos courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

The first photos from Thor: Ragnarok have appeared on Entertainment Weekly. They show Thor's new short hairdo as well as several new characters. The full article will be available on Friday in Entertainment Weekly magazine.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has a new look. It's a bit edgier and a lot more warrior-like, which fits the darker storyline.

Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) is Thor's new ally.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is back, and most likely stirring up mischief in Asgard. But isn't he always? 

Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor are together again. What kind of trouble will Banner get into on Sakaar, where he and Thor must battle for their lives gladiator style?

Hela (Cate Blanchett) is the Goddess of Death and Thor's nemesis. She wants to destroy all of Asgard.

Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) is "a hedonist, a pleasure-seeker, an enjoyer of life and tastes and smells," according to Goldblum. 

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:

In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok — the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization — at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger — the Incredible Hulk!

Thor: Ragnarok arrives in theaters on November 3, 2017.