Tag Archives: Entertainment

Disney’s Pete’s Dragon Flies into Theaters! #PetesDragon

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Pete’s Dragon

By Jonelle

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Friendly Dragons? Is There Such A Thing?

On the heels of the releases of The Jungle Book and Finding Dory earlier this year, Disney Studios is working its magic once again with a reimagining of the 1977 classic film, Pete’s Dragon. Other than the name of the movie and the main characters Pete and Elliot, nothing else is similar between these two films. Fans of the 1977 version will instantly fall in love with and appreciate the beauty of this version too.

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Pete’s Dragon tells the story of a young boy, orphaned by a tragic accident. Lost and alone in the local woods, he runs into a legendary Millhaven dragon, which he names Elliot. Pete and Elliot come to rely on each other, not only for safety, but for friendship and love. Elliot acts more of a family pet, a protector for Pete, than an evil beast hell bent on scaring local hunters.  When threatened, instead of fighting back, Elliot uses his magic to disappear.  You can’t help but hope for Pete and Elliot to find a home of their very own, they already are family. The way Pete and Elliot love each other is so heartwarming.  It goes beyond legend, beyond lore and beyond “species.”

Oakes Fegley is Pete in Disney's PETE'S DRAGON, the story of a boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just happens to be a dragon.

As a child, park ranger Grace Meacham grew up hearing tall tales from her father Meachem, played by the legendary actor Robert Redford, about the fierce dragon he encountered in the woods years before.

He shares his story with the local town children, who love to listen to legend and lore. Much to the chagrin of Grace, who knows the forest like “she knows the back of her hand” and has never, herself, discovered the mysterious being. 

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Sitting Down with the Cast of Disney’s “Reimagining” of Pete’s Dragon #PetesDragon

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Sitting Down with the Cast of Disney’s “Reimagining” of Pete’s Dragon

By Jonelle

When you walk up to the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, you walk up on a red carpet, I imagine similar to those you’d find at movie premieres. Today, I was going to meet the cast of Disney’s upcoming Pete’s Dragon, out August 12th.  Pete’s Dragon (2016) is about a boy, named Pete living alone in the woods with his friend Elliot, who happens to be a not so mythical dragon. Many of us grew up with the original 1977 film. I remember watching that version when I was a little girl. The Saturday nights of my childhood were reserved for family classics like Pippi Longstocking and Pete’s Dragon. Aside from the names and theme of “what makes a family”, this retelling of Pete’s Dragon is an entirely different film from the original. This sentiment was echoed by both Ms. Bryce Dallas Howard, and director Mr. David Lowery.

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We met with Ms. Howard first. The moment she walked into the room, it lit up. She was so cheery, sweet and fun, and her laugh was truly infectious. She talked about how she grew up with the original as well and that this version was, “not a remake” and to please help them with sharing that. It’s a “reimagining” of the original, because nothing is the same except for the title Pete’s Dragon.

When asked about the difference between working with dinosaurs versus working with dragons, she said that the films obviously had very different tones and that this time she got to wear more comfortable shoes, (in inference to Jurassic World and the “running in heels controversy”)

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As a mom, this role was very emotional for her. She loved working with and was very protective of the kids in the film, Oaks Fegley who plays Pete, and Oona Laurenece who plays Natalie. She sweetly mentioned how, “Oaks will one day be a director and Oona, President.” She talked about the themes of the film, to believe in magic, that magic is possible, and about the miracle of family especially, “what it takes to find your family when you think you’ve lost your family.” As a child she was always encouraged to use her imagination. In the film, Grace’s father Meacham tells her, “Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

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Director David Lowery was told by Disney execs that they didn’t want just a “remake”, they wanted something entirely different. This is exactly what he gave them. Because this version is very different from the original, film lovers will be able to appreciate both. It’s a story that will be loved by new generations of audiences and will win the hearts of the fans of the original (like me). Mr. Lowery wanted to make sure that the time period of this film was ambiguous, and yes, it is a “period piece”. You can tell that this story takes place sometime in the 1970’s, maybe to pay homage to the 1977 original?

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Mr. Lowery mentioned how he loves stories about families, kids, animals and mythical creatures. It’s his love of animals that inspired his creation of a fury, more “dog like” family pet dragon (Elliot) than the scaly dragons we see in past films. His vision of Elliot makes you want to find a pet dragon of your very own.

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Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick Star in Dreamworks Trolls!

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Justin Timberlake & Anna Kendrick in Dreamworks Trolls!

By Erin

*I was invited as a guest to this press event hosted by 20th Century Fox & DreamWorks Animation*

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Do you remember Trolls from back in the day? I remember having quite a few of them myself. I loved their crazy colorful hair and sparkly jeweled bellies. Many people all over the world (including myself) have been waiting for the big news that Trolls is coming this November, just in time to make the holidays a little brighter and to help you find your happy place to get in the spirit. Both kids and adults are going to love this colorful, music-filled comedy.

Find Your Happy Place November 4th!

From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny, irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls. This holiday season, enter a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach. Featuring original music from Justin Timberlake, and soon-to-be classic mash-ups of songs from other popular artists, the film stars the voice talents of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Gwen Stefani, and many more.

Director: Mike Mitchell

Co-Director: Walt Dohrn

Producer: Gina Shay

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I had the honor to sit in on an interview with the Director of Trolls, Mike Mitchell, Co-Director Walt Dohrn, Producer Gina Shay and the stars of Trolls, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. Director Mike Mitchell, who also directed DreamWorks’ SHREK, explained to us that this film has the kind of magic that both parents and kids will find themselves laughing at the same parts and sharing a love for both new and classic songs. What else did we learn?

Here are some of the fun facts we learned about Trolls!

  • The story development for Trolls is very different from Shrek. Trolls is not based on any previous story. They had a completely clean slate to work with for Trolls.

  • There is a theme of happiness that applies to everyone.  There’s a big idea here that we’re all born with happiness.  We just–sometimes we need someone to help us find it, but we’re all born with this ability to be happy.  

  • A new kind of animation is used with the creation of this film. You will be able to see “texture” on the animation when you go to see the movie in 3D.
  • Trolls is the first film that Justin Timberlake is an Executive Music Producer for.

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  • The movie has been created with original songs like, ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ but also includes many music adaptations from classics that we grew up listening to like: ‘True Colors’ and ‘The Sound of Silence.’ 
  • The music really helps to tell the story and is an integral part of the storytelling.

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  • +1,000 songs were picked out for Trolls. To make the final cut, besides being cleared to use the song, the song had to fit the story, fit the tone of the movie, and it had to have kind of this everlasting feel.

  •  Big challenges? Glitter!  The computer couldn’t understand the glitter. It’s a glitter taskforce, typing code. They thought the big challenge would be the hair because the hair does everything in this film. It changes color.  It changes shape.  It stretches like a monkey tail and it holds onto stuff.  But, it was the glitter that gave them the biggest challenge. Watch for Guy Diamond. That’s where the glitter is.

Star-Studded Cast

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This movie has such an amazing and talented cast:

Justin Timberlake as Branch

Anna Kendrick as Poppy
Gwen Stefani as DJ Suki
James Corden as Biggie
Russell Brand as Creek
Junal Nayyar as Guy Diamond


DreamWorks’ TROLLS is a fresh, broad comedy filled with music, heart and hair-raising adventures. On November 4th  of 2016, nothing can prepare you for the new Troll world! 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation are proud to unveil their first trailer for this highly anticipated feature film,  arriving in theaters November 4th. Just in time to put you in a happy mood for the holidays!

Official Website #DreamWorksTrolls
Dreamworks Trolls Facebook
Dreamworks Trolls Twitter
Trolls Instagram

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Group Photo at the Trolls Press Event by: Jason Bush