As I mentioned in my review of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES, this film introduces new characters into the PIRATES world. One of those is Henry, portrayed by Brenton Thwaites! When we meet Henry, we’ve already learning that he is the son of Will Turner and is trying to break the curse that forces Will to captain the Flying Dutchman. His desire to reconnect with and free his father is what sets the film into motion.
What would a PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN film be without Captain Jack Sparrow’s “frenemy” for lack of a better term… Captain Hector Barbossa!?! When we first met Geoffrey Rush‘s character, he was the villainous captain of the Black Pearl, only after he led a mutiny against Jack, the ship’s previous captain. Over the next few movies, we see Barbossa transform from his treacherous self to one willing to help save Jack from Davy Jones’ Locker, and then eventually becoming a privateer with the British Royal Navy. The last time we saw Barbossa, he teamed up with Jack to take on the infamous Blackbeard. So while the Barbossa we meet in DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES still has elements from his previous self, without any spoilers, I’ll let you know that there is something different about the Barbossa we encounter in the fifth film, when he faces off with Captain Salazar.
75 years. That’s a long time, isn’t it? BAMBI has stood the test of time and to this day, 75 years later, it is still one of the most popular Disney classic animated features. Did you know that BAMBI is actually among the films selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry? To celebrate the 75th anniversary, not only is Disney releasing BAMBI as part of the Walt Disney Signature Collection (May 23 for Digital HD and June 6 for Blu-ray), but they also invited myself and 24 other bloggers to participate in a conversation with Donnie Dunagan (voice of “Bambi”) and Peter Behn (voice of “Thumper”), moderated by Disney Archivist Becky Cline! How amazing is that?
Last fall I had the privilege to interview Kyle MacLachlan, who voiced the Dad in INSIDE OUT. At the time, declared him the Number One Hottest Disney Dad. I hate to break it to him, but I think someone else is about to take that spot. In Disney PETE’S DRAGON, Wes Bentley plays Natalie’s dad and Grace’s fiancee, Jack. Known for his darker roles (such as Ricky Fitts in AMERICAN BEAUTY, Seneca Crane in THE HUNGER GAMES, and John Lowe in AMERICAN HORROR STORY), I have to say, I really enjoyed seeing Wes in a more “light-hearted” role, such as a dad, a role he is quite familiar with in real life!
Over the weekend Disney’s latest live action film, PETE’S DRAGON, finally opened! I was lucky enough to attend the premiere and screen the film last week. As you can tell from my review, I thoroughly enjoyed this family film, and could not wait to take my son to see it. I did just that yesterday, and my son really soaked in the magic and excitement of Elliot the dragon! I think what also makes the film relatable to kids, is that it features kids! Oakes Fegley and Oona Laurence star as Pete and Natalie, an adventurous boy and the girl he befriends.