January 30, 2024, to be precise! Disney has revealed the opening date for their Pixar themed Hotel. Construction on Disneyland’s Paradise Pier has been ongoing for several months, transforming it into a delightful Pixar space. The hotel will feature Elemental… Oops! We mean elements of many of our favorite Pixar films and characters.
Walk into the lobby and grab a selfie with the Pixar Lamp, cool down with the family in the Finding Nemo splash pad and pool area, stop by the “STOR-E” and grab a few souvenirs for your friends back at home, or simply enjoy a relaxing night rest in one of the carefully decorated updated rooms.
But wait, there is more! Of course, we saved the best for last. FOOD!!! Disney has shared a sneak peak of delicious looking foods and snacks that will be available at the hotel restaurant and cafe.
Per the official DisneyParks Blog, the Great Maple, opening in November (2023), will bring an “innovative menu of upscale comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This modern American eatery will serve a robust selection of dishes made from scratch daily including the Cajun Shrimp & Cheddar Biscuit Benedict, Soda Pop-Braised Baby Back Ribs, Charred Cauliflower Hummus, Maple Pecan-Crusted Salmon, Market Fish, a variety of inspired salads, and my favorite, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Maple Bacon Doughnuts!”
Too anxious to get to the park to have a full sit-down meal? Grab a quick coffee and a pastry (or two or three) at the Sketch Pad Café just inside the lobby of the hotel.
Need a few moments for yourself and the beautiful night sky? Make sure to stop by Small Bytes, a rooftop pool bar that will serve salads, wraps, assorted cheese plates, and as well as a few signature beverages.
The Paradise Pier Hotel is still open and welcoming guests throughout the transformation, continuing to offer several benefits of staying on property at the Disneyland Resort, including a dedicated entrance across the street to Disney California Adventure park.
We have noticed a lack of acknowledgement of hot men of color. So we are here to fix that. Here’s our list of hot men that most Millennials probably had a crush on. Or still do.
Paolo Montalban as our eternal Prince from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. We’re here to share the he still looks the same as this picture.
Robert Ri’chard as the Nickeloden star that stole the show in Cousin Skeeter.
Dante Basco rocked the crop top as Rufio from Hook before anyone else but he’s more recently known for voicing the Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Also fun fact: fans can look forward to seeing both Dante and Paolo in the upcoming movie Asian Persuasion, which is expected to release in 2023.
From Leverage to Hawkman Aldis Hodge has always been on the list of men who should be on screen more for talent and handsome looks.
Brian Tee from Tokyo Drift to ChicagoMed his star factor and looks have only risen and keeps fans in admiration
Rahul Kohli he’s awesome Twitter and just amazingly handsome on screen from iZombie to Midnight Mass and we can’t wait to see what’s next
Lee Shorten is handsome and we def need him to shine more often so we can root for him on screen because I mean just look at him, major heartthrob vibes
Micheal B Jordan has been a heartbreaking heartthrob from the All my Children days with no end in sight from Creed to Black Panther. We are happy fans.
Walking Dead may have did him so wrong but Steven Yeun still remains a light both on screen and even just lending his voice to shows! We hope to see him in more things and some romances please?
Winston Duke broke onto the scene and our hearts with Black Panther officially and just gives quality material to crush on since then between on screen and voice acting.
Every kid has a dream, and for thirteen-year-old Nate Foster (newcomer, Rueby Woods), his dream is to make it BIG on Broadway. But big dreams lead to big disappointments when Nate learns he didn’t even land the understudy to be the lead in the next school musical. Instead, he got cast as a singing tree.
While Nate is feeling rejected and is confining his feeling with his best friend Libby (Aria Brooks), we soon learn that Libby has concocted a plan to have her and Nate sneak off to New York City. Her mission? To have them audition for the newly announced Lilo and Stich Broadway musical.
Better Nate Than Ever is based on the novel of the same name and is written and directed by the novel’s author, Tim Federle. Federle also is the creator of the Disney+ show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and if you have seen that show then you have a very good idea of what to expect tonal-wise with this film.
One of the things you have to appreciate in a movie like Better Nate Than Ever is that it truly understands exactly what it is. I like that the movie is a queer story that is not reliant on tragedy. While this is not my experience to speak upon, I am fully aware of the conversation to have more varieties in terms of stories about the queer experience. It’s very clear that Better Nate Than Ever wants to be a film that’s fun and still has a queer lead without a heavy story about their experiences. It’s a family comedy adventure film, and the movie understands that. In that regard, it’s not a very challenging film, but it is a very fast, energetic pop movie with some strong performances
Nate as a character could have the potential to not work on screen. He needs to have this innocence and charm to make his behavior work. Thankfully Rueby Woods does deliver. Woods nails all those qualities, while also showcasing his incredible singing skills. I do wish I had a better understanding of Nate in terms of the writing. I want to be inside his head a bit more to understand why he loves Broadway and performing so much, why seems to know too much about the sitcom Designing Women and etc. But the film is more focused on the adventure than to go deeper into Nate’s head, which I understand.
Aria Brooks Libby is the balance that Nate needs in life and on-screen. Rueby and Aria have great chemistry together, and I enjoyed Libby’s confidence and cool demeanor. Nate is a ball of energy and Aria perfectly balances Rueby’s all-in performance.
Lisa Kudrow is a talent that needs to be utilized more and more. Kudrow plays Nate’s Aunt Heidi, and this is the heart of the film for me. They have such wonderful chemistry, and Kudrow keeps killing it with her fantastic comedic delivery, but she also can quickly break your heart with a look. The film could have easily been about Nate’s relationship with Aunt Heidi and if you used this same cast, it would have been just as compelling as the main story. Nate admires Heidi because to his eyes, she’s living the dream. She was on Broadway and she’s living in New York (specifically Queens.) But for Heidi, she sees Nate as what should have had if she was with her family more, instead of pursuing her stage career.
Joshua Bassett (who Tim Federle brought over from High School Musical: The Musical: The series.) plays Nate’s older brother Anthony. Anthony doesn’t really register for me in the movie, pretty much-playing stock annoyed older brother. Bassett does get a nice moment at the end of the film, but most of the time I felt he was unnecessary.
The biggest disappointment I had with the movie is that the original songs didn’t really stick with me. For a movie about Broadway musicals, I was hoping to connect to one of the songs, but I sadly didn’t. The songs were mostly serviceable, but I did enjoy Federle’s direction in the musical sequences.
For a first-time feature film director, Federle did a great job controlling the tone while making a stylish film. While I thought his directing was enjoyable, I felt that his script was lacking real stakes to the story. I’m not sure how big the changes were that Federle did to his own novel in the writing process, but I couldn’t help but feel like the movie could have had some more challenges to our characters.
Like Nate Foster, the film Better Nate Than Ever is quite ambitious. While it does show some real promise, not everything is fully gelled. But like the title character, the film is sweet, entertaining, and has its heart in the right place, even when it misses the mark sometimes.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan – The Walking Dead _ Season 11 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC
During the Press Event for the Walking Dead I had the opportunity to discuss the final part of the final season with Josh McDermitt, Laila Robin, Josh Hamilton, Teo Rapp-Olsson . It was a very light hearted press experience for a show with such a big run and gritty feel. It’s interesting seeing that the cast is light and cracking jokes making the experience easy going and not as scary as the Walkers we see on screen.
Some of the topics discussed included the issues of the Commonwealth and the repetition of history and class warfare issue being presented on screen, Teo Rapp-Olsson expressed how it’s showed a good blend between the comics and the shows storyline which he feels fans would find both relatable and great to see the characters experience on screen. It’s a blend of survival but the basics of that is everyone still wants to get for their people and tribe, as Laila Robin pointed out.
Josh McDermitt as Dr. Eugene Porter, Paola Lázaro as Juanita ‘Princess’ Sanchez – The Walking Dead _ Season 11 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC
My question that I appreciated their answers to was mostly on how they felt about the end of the series, especially as some cast members are newer coming into such big series with following as big as a Walker horde. Josh McDermitt one said your writers glasses we’re amazing which is a compliment I will hold dearly but one of the things the mentioned they would cherish was the actual relationships built onset, most of the other castmates said that the family and community aspect was the biggest factor for them, that there aren’t really egos there. The stories shared definitely give a feel that even thought the series is walking it’s way toward the end that the cast members will still have some genuine fondness for each other and the journey they have been on.
Batman stories are so much more than a man dressed as a bat fighting crime. It is a Family Book that surrounds a man dressed as a bat fighting crime. And there is no current Bat-book that better emphasizes that than I AM BATMAN.
There may be crime. There may be corruption. And there is even a little bit of vigilantism mixed in. But I AM BATMAN demonstrates the struggle and responsibility of taking up the cowl along with the personal strife of family trauma.
Following the crazy that was Fear State, the Fox family has relocated to New York and Jace is eager to prove himself. Can he live up to the expectations of being Batman? Or better yet… The expectations of being Lucius Fox’s son?
From The Joker War to Fear State, happenings in Gotham City have left deep scars on the Fox Family. From Lucius Fox’ Joker toxin infection at the hands of Punchline during The Joker War, to Tanya Fox aligning with Mayor Christopher Nakano and the Magistrate initiative, to the tragedy that put Tamara Fox in a coma, Jace Fox has been in the trenches, fighting for his family and the soul of the city as Batman.
After all the chaos the Fox family has endured, no doubt that a change of scenery would benefit everyone involved, especially with Jace’s sister Tamara needing intensive therapy to overcome the trauma she sustained. With one Batman being more than enough for Gotham, Jace decides it’s time to pull up stakes and accompany his mother and sisters in their move to New York and continue the legacy of Batman in the Big Apple.
Written by the award-winning screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave and American Crime John Ridley with artist Ken Lashley, experience Batman in a new light (or shadow?) and in a new city. With covers by Francesco Mattina, Olivier Coipel, a special 1:25 variant from Khary Randolph and Emilio Lopez (contact your LCS for details and pre-orders) plus a special Black History Month cover from Alexis Franklin.
Heather Is A Nerd
Take a sneak peak look at art by Ken Lashley and Rex Lokus from I AM BATMAN #6. Available on Comic Book Shelves on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.
It is the final few moments of Spider-man: No Way Home, we are sworn to secrecy for the betterment of our peers who have yet had the chance to visit the theater. It will already be hard enough to keep every epic moment that just occurred (including that mid-credits scene) to ourselves. But then… THE trailer happens. A gift from Disney and Marvel Entertainment to add flavor and keep us craving even more of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The one we have been waiting for. The cinematic release of the trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Following Spider-Man‘s box-office destroying weekend – surpassing $751 Million as of Tuesday, December 21, and still rising with packed theaters expected throughout the holiday weekend – Marvel released the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness teaser trailer globally on Wednesday, December 22, along with the first official film poster.
The film will feature several characters from the first Doctor Strange film including Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Wong as Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo and begins shortly after the reality collapsing events that took place in WandaVision from Disney+ which will bring in Elizabeth Olsen as fan-favorite Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlet Witch. With whispers of Tom Hiddleston returning as the God of Mischief, Loki Laufeyson, following the death of Kang thus unlocking the multiverse in the finale of Loki (also on Disney+). Plus… Maybe a few other characters with abilities including inter-dimensional travel. (We are talking about that jacket!)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022.
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange, Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, Tom Hiddleston as Loki Laufeyson and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. Directed by Sam Raimi and Produced by Scott Derrickson and Kevin Feige.
Afternoon! We here at NRW are super excited to give you this small rundown of the new movie coming to your screens in January and official release dates!
Drac and the Pack are back, like you’ve never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac (Brian Hull) with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing’s (Jim Gaffigan) mysterious invention, the ‘Monsterification Ray,’ goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny (Andy Samberg) becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis (Selena Gomez) and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.
The final installment of this series will bring back some favorite stars. The final installment is being written by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska. In addition we will hear the voice acting talents of Kathryn Hahn, Jim Gaffigan, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Hull, Fran Drescher, Brad Abrell, Asher Blinkoff will be on full display and we can’t wait! HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA will premiere exclusively on Prime Video globally January 14, 2022!
After smashing Box Office expectations with $300 Million Worldwide, with $126 Million domestically, within the first two weeks of release, the Eternals are heading to IMAX Enhanced on Disney+ on January 12, 2022.
Marvel Studios’ Eternals introduces a new team of Super Heroes, an ancient, immortal race of aliens sent to Earth to protect it from the Deviants and help humankind evolve and develop. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, a tragedy befalls the misfit family of Power Holders reuniting them after a centuries old rift. The Deviants are back. But that is only beginning of their problems.
Eternals flies onto the IMAX Enhanced, offering subscribers more picture with an extended aspect ratio for a more immersive viewing experience, on Disney+ streaming platform joining 13 other Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films on January 12,2022.
IMAX Enhanced offers the most immersive viewing experience outside of a theatre by bringing together best-in-class certified devices, remastered content and elevated streaming.
Eternals stars Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, with Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, Salma Hayek as Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as Thena. It was directed by Chloé Zhao and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Kevin de la Noy as executive producers. The filmed storyline is from Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo with screenplay is by Chloé Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo.
It has been just under a year since the final episode of The Mandalorian Season 3 air with that gasp-inducing, twist ending. And we are not talking about Luke barrelling through armed Stormtroopers to get to the Yodling (the Child or… Grogu). No, we’re talking about that extra special final moment…
That moment Boba Fett, along with his partner and Cyborg Mercenary, Fennec Shand, returned to Jabba the Hutt’s throne room and stole the slaughtered Gangster’s seat leading to the announcement of an upcoming series. The Book of Boba Fett.
This week Disney+, the streaming service releasing the ongoing Star Wars extended universe television series, released character posters of Boba Fett and Fennec Shand as well as debuted an exciting TV spot for its new, live-action series from Lucasfilm. The series finds the legendary bounty hunter, Fett, and Shand navigating the galaxy’s underworld, staking their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt’s crime syndicate.
The Book of Boba Fett premieres December 29, 2021 on Disney+.
The Book of Boba Fett stars Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett and Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand. From Executive Producers Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez, Kathleen Kennedy and Colin Wilson. Along with Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck as co-executive producers, with John Bartnicki producing and John Hampian as co-producer.
Hellbound is Netflix’s newest sensation and it is 100% Binge-Worthy! Based on a Korean Manwha, which is also now available to be read on Webtoons, for those who want to read before or after binging the series released this November.
The series is 6 episodes and about an hour long. The first 3 follow the main character of Detective Jin Kyung-Hun who is investigating the New Truth who have taken the appearances of these demons and their demonstrations as a religious meaning and need for people to live righteously. The Detectives investigations get him and his daughter involved with the New Truth as more folks receive proclamations from Angels dictating their time of death and them being Hellbound. The action and story through the 6 episodes leaves you having to go to the next episode to get your answers and see how things play out.
The show has many moving parts that keep the plot moving, the story of the New Truth, the extremes of the Arrowheads ( a New Truth fanatics cell) and those who are still moving through the world where all this exists. With in the first 5 minutes you meet the Trio that drags you to hell and they waste no time exuding what can only be referred as Black Air Force Energy when they have their target in their sight it is definitely brutally on sight. The story moves on from the very Public show of the first on screen dragging to hell to those who are figuring out what’s New Truth angle and what is happening in the city. By episode 6 ending I can honestly say I sincerely hope there is a season 2 greenlit soon because I have some answers but 1000 more questions because the pacing and story and a small heads up cliff hanger ending is so good!
Strongly suggest and if you do decided to watch or have already binged the series. Please leave a comment of your thoughts on it!
New Release Wednesday 