Andor

All images: Lucasfilm

Have you ever wondered how the Rebellion began? Andor, the early story of Cassian Andor from Rogue One, may just fill in some of the blanks.

Here's the official synopsis from Lucasfilm:

The “Andor” series will explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.

Diego Luna returns as Cassian Andor and is joined by cast members Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough and Kyle Soller.

The first two episodes of Andor arrive on DisneyPlus on August 31, September 21. New episodes will debut each Wednesday.

Memorial Day

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." - Franklin D Roosevelt

This Memorial Day, let's take a moment to remember.

Quote of the Week

NASA

The universe is full of magical things

patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

- Eden Phillpotts, A Shadow Passes

Photo of the Week

I love Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs. The Indiana Jones theme is fantastic and so is the food.

Willow Is Returning For A New Adventure

Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm made the most amazing announcement yesterday: a sequel to Willow is coming to DisneyPlus. I can't believe, after all these years we're finally getting another story about Willow Ufgood. So cool!

"The world needs you again. It needs your magic."

The first episode of Willow (the series) arrives on DisneyPlus on November 30. New episodes will debut each Wednesday. Willow (the movie) is on DisneyPlus now.

Pride Rock Punch Recipe From Disney

Disneyland's latest festival, Celebrate Soulfully, has some amazing sounding food. The Pride Rock Punch is in honor of the new "Tale of the Lion King" show, which opens this Saturday. If you just can't wait, here's the recipe from Disney so you can make it at home.

Pride Rock Punch - Troubadour Tavern

Serves 4-6

1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 cups freshly brewed unsweetened black tea

1/3 cup mango beverage syrup *

1/2 cup orange juice

3/4 teaspoon tamarind paste

Orange slices

Dried mango slices

Dried pineapple

Place fresh pineapple in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Combine puréed pineapple, unsweetened tea, mango beverage syrup, orange juice, and tamarind paste in a large pitcher. Stir until tamarind paste is fully dissolved.

Fill 4-6 tall glasses halfway with ice. Add punch and garnish with orange slices, dried mango, and dried pineapple.

*If mango beverage syrup is unavailable, you can make your own using water, sugar, and mango. Bring 1/2 cup water, 1/2 sugar, and 1 cup of frozen mango pieces to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes. Cool completely and strain out mango pieces. Refrigerate up to one week.

Ms Marvel - Destiny

Marvel 

In just two more weeks, the first episode of Marvel's Ms. Marvel will make its way onto DisneyPlus. So, far, the series looks both serious and a lot of fun, which is my favorite kind of Marvel show.

The first episode of Ms. Marvel arrives on DisneyPlus on June 8th. Additional episodes will debut each Wednesday. 

Thor: Love and Thunder's New Trailer Is Epic

All images: Marvel

The latest trailer and poster for Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder were released yesterday evening and they look fantastic. Finally, we get to see more than a glimpse of Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor. 

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:

The film finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced — a search for self-discovery. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who — to Thor’s surprise — inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

Thor: Love and Thunder arrives in theaters on July 8.

Baymax! A New Series Coming to DisneyPlus

Disney

Once again, Disney is headed back to San Fransokyo for more adventures with Hiro and Baymax. But this time, its focused on Baymax doing his best to provide healthcare to everyone, whether they want it or not.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

The all-new series of healthcare capers returns to the fantastical city of San Fransokyo where the affable, inflatable, inimitable healthcare companion robot, Baymax, sets out to do what he was programmed to do: help others. “I thought it would be fun to do a Disney+ series with Baymax interacting with normal folks,” said series creator Don Hall, who helmed 2014’s “Big Hero 6.” “In each of our six episodes, Baymax just wants to help someone—and a lot of times they don’t want to be helped. He sets out to fix a physical issue that he's identified, and in the process, gets to a deeper, more emotional place and can be almost transformative in that role.” 

The first episode of Baymax! arrives on DisneyPlus on June 29.

Quote of the Week

Charlie Mackesy

"What are you glad you gave up?" asked the boy.

"Trying to please everyone," said the horse.

- Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse 

Photo of the Week

Do you know the best way to protect your favorite toy? Miss kitty thinks its to use it as a pillow.

Happy Caturday!

Funko's Funkoween POPs Are Spooktacular

All images: Funko

Funko has released a very large collection of new POPVinyl figures as part of their Funkoween: Halfway to Hallow's Eve celebration. These are a few of my favorites. Most are available for pre-order now. First up is a new Hocus Pocus scene. This time, my three favorite witches are performing "I put a spell on you." As with previous Hocus Pocus figures, this one is a Spirit Halloween Store exclusive. It should be available in early July.

Next up is a Hocus Pocus card game. I haven't played any of Funko's games yet, but they always look fun.

Mickey and his pals are dressed to Trick-Or-Treat in this adorable collection. Figures include:

• Mickey as a jack-o-lantern 
• Glow-in-the-dark Mickey is an Amazon exclusive
• Donald as a candy corn
• Minnie as a candy corn witch
• Goofy as a skeleton 
• Glow-in-the-dark Goofy is an Entertainment Earth exclusive

A new Disney Villains collection featuring six despicable villains will be a Hot Topic exclusive. The first known figure is Hades with Pain and Panic. All six will connect to form one giant scene.

And speaking of Villains, a new set of Villain Mystery Minis are being released as well. I love the Minis, both for their small size and hilarious expressions. This collection includes:

• Evil Queen 
• Evil Queen as the Old Hag
• Chernabog
• Lady Tremaine
• Queen of Hearts
• Captain Hook
• Maleficent 
• Cruella de Ville
• Ursula
• Jafar
• Hades
• Dr Facilier

All of these, and quite a few more, should be available by early August. Or, if you're afraid you’ll miss out, why not pre-order now.

Jurassic World Dominion: A Look Inside Featurette

Universal

In a few short weeks, dinosaurs will once again roam the earth, and the Jurassic saga will come to a close. I can't wait to see how the old and new come together for one epic conclusion. 

Jurassic World Dominion arrives in theaters on June 10th.

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law

All images: Marvel

Marvel has released the first trailer and poster for She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.  It looks like an absolute blast! "You'll like her when she's angry."

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law follows Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) as she navigates the complicated life of a single, 30-something attorney who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered hulk. The nine-episode series welcomes a host of MCU vets, including Mark Ruffalo as Smart Hulk, Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky/the Abomination, and Benedict Wong as Wong. The cast also includes Ginger Gonzaga, Josh Segarra, Jameela Jamil, Jon Bass and Renée Elise Goldsberry.

She-Hulk: Attorney At Law arrives on DisneyPlus on August 17 18. New episodes will debut each Wednesday Thursday. 

Pixar's 27th Movie Will Be Elemental

All images: Pixar

Pixar announced its 27th film yesterday. Elemental is an all-new story featuring the four elements: earth, wind, fire, and water. And, you guessed it, they're alive, look somewhat like people, and have problems getting along. I have to say, that's actually one of my favorite things about Pixar movies: they're a little more like real life than fairy tales.

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar:

The film journeys alongside an unlikely pair, Ember and Wade, in a city where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The fiery young woman and the go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.

Elemental arrives in theaters on June 16, 2023.

Uncharted

Sony

Uncharted is an action-adventure/treasure hunt movie starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg that recently arrived on Blu-ray. It's hilarious, and thrilling, and an absolute delight. I look forward to watching it again.

Quote of the Week

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

- Edgar Allan Poe,

A Dream Within A Dream

Photo of the Week

I love watching artisans perform their craft. One of my favorite crafts to watch is glassblowing. Leslie Pierce of Historical Glassworks demonstrates glassblowing several times a day at the Georgia Renaissance Festival. She's fascinating to talk to and spent time sharing information about the Glass Age with us.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Mac Recipe From Disney

Disney

Disney chefs come up with some of the most intriguing dishes for the various festivals at Disney Parks. This recipe for Peanut Butter & Jelly Mac, from the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, may be the most innovative one yet. I can't wait to try it.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Mac

Serves 4-6

Macaroni

1 pound dried elbow macaroni

1 Tbsp canola oil

Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and toss with canola oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Strawberry Crumble

1 c flour

1/2 c brown sugar

1/8 tsp salt

4 Tbsp butter, melted

3 Tbsp strawberry jelly

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Combine flour, brown sugar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on low speed until combined.

Add melted butter and strawberry and mix on medium speed until crumbly. 

Place on reserved sheet pan and bake for 6-8 minutes, until crumble begins to brown. Set aside.

Strawberry Sauce

1/2 c strawberry jelly

Heat strawberry jelly in a medium saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes, until jelly is easily poured. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Peanut Butter Sauce

2 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp all-purpose flour

4 c heavy cream

3/4 c creamy peanut butter

Coarse salt, to taste

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream and stir constantly until heavy cream is 175°F.

Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Season with salt, to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.

To Serve

Stir cooked macaroni into peanut butter sauce. Evenly divide among 4-6 plates and top with strawberry crumble and strawberry sauce. Divide 1 packet strawberry-flavored popping candies and 

sprinkle on top.

DCappella - Cantina Band

Disney

When DCappella takes on the music from the Star Wars band "Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes", the results are hilarious.

Oga’s Cantina is the perfect location for a little impromptu a capella from outer space. 

Ms Marvel - Not Alone

All images: Marvel

Less than a month remains until Ms Marvel makes its debut. The latest Marvel series looks like it's going to be a fantastic teenage superhero origin story. 

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

"Ms. Marvel," launching on Disney+ on June 8th, 2022, is a new series that introduces Kamala Khan—a 16-year-old Pakistani-American growing up in Jersey City. A great student, an avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, she has a special affinity for superheroes, particularly Captain Marvel. But Kamala struggles to fit in at home and at school—that is, until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life is easier with super powers, right? 

Iman Vellani stars as Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel; the cast also includes Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Naki, Azher Usman, Travina Springer and Nimra Bucha. Episodes are directed by Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah, Meera Menon and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

Ms Marvel arrives on DisneyPlus on June 8th.

Avatar: The Way Of Water Teaser

20th Century

The first trailer for the long-awaited sequel to James Cameron's Avatar has finally arrived. It looks amazing!

Here's the official synopsis from 20th Century:

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement and Kate Winslet. 

Avatar: The Way Of Water arrives in theaters this December.

Lightyear Looks So Funny!

All images: Pixar

The latest trailer for Pixar's Lightyear is absolutely hilarious. After Buzz makes a mistake of monumental proportions, he'll do anything to make it right, even team up with a group of not quite rookies.

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar:

The definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy.

Lightyear arrives in theaters on June 17th. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Disney

A mother is not a person to lean on,

but a person to make leaning unnecessary. 

- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Happy Mother's Day!

Photo of the Week

Postmodern Jukebox puts on one fantastic show!

The Multiverse Has Arrived

Marvel

Are you ready to enter the Multiverse? The final trailer for Marvel's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness looks fairly epic. I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is in theaters now.

New Obi-Wan Kenobi Trailer And Poster

Lucasfilm

The latest trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi gives a few more brief glimpses into the story. It appears the few remaining Jedi are being hunted by the Inquisitors, including Fifth Brother, previously seen on Star Wars: Rebels.

Obi-Wan Kenobi arrives on DisneyPlus on May 27th. New episodes will debut each Friday. 

Happy Star Wars Day!

May the Force Be With You, Always!

Moon Knight - Rise

Marvel

After an incredibly intense five episodes, the final episode of Marvel's Moon Knight arrives tomorrow. And there are a lot of loose ends that will have to have to be cleared up before it ends.

The season finale of Moon Knight arrives on DisneyPlus tomorrow, May 4.

Doctor Strange Meets The Illuminati

Marvel

With just a few days remaining before the premiere of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel has given us another glimpse of the mysterious Illuminati. It looks like some version of Captain Carter, Captain Marvel, and Professor Charles Xavier are all members. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness arrives in theaters this Friday, May 6th. 

Quote of the Week

Oberlausitz Library, Germany

Since the days of ancient Alexandria libraries had stood for all the best that mankind could achieve.

The very existence of libraries held out hope for the future of the human race.

- Jayne Ann Krentz