Saturday, September 15, 2007

Walt Disney and the Multiplane camera - Video



One of the most important invention in all animation history was undoubtedly the multiplane camera .

It don't look like, now, but at that time, when Walt Disney productions created this fantastic tool, it was a major improvement in the making of animated features.



Today, on this old and rare video, Walt himself will tell you more about it!




Video and screen capture: copyright Disney

Many thanks to freedogshampoo for the youtube link

Friday, September 14, 2007

Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion re-open - updated article with photos and video link



That's it, Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion finally re-opened, and the best video available on the net is on the "inside the magic" web site . I can't say enough how good their videos are, not only they are filmed with a high definition camera, but , too, with a fantastic sound. Of course, it is so dark during the ride that they had to use the "night mode" , but as you will see, at least you can see all the new scenes. Here is the link :
http://cache.libsyn.com/insidethemagic/HauntedMansionRehaunting-540p.mp4

Above is a rendering for the new " portrait hall " scene and below a picture of an imagineer working on the model of the new staircases scene




Before you jump on the great "inside the magic" web site - be sure to bookmark it for the future - here are some screen capture from the video . First, the staircases scene with the " step ghost effect "



the new floating ball effect with madame Leota




the attic-portrait scene



and, of course, the bride with the new projection effect



Before you leave, here are some good WDW pictures of the ballroom scene







And, talking about the ballroom, i suppose that all of you know that the dancing ghosts are not a holographic or projection effect , but simply the reflection in the glass of audio-animatronics located under the track . If you still have doubt about it, here is a very rare picture "showing the trick".



Here is a close shot on the Audio-animatronics dancing ghosts



One of the previous scene with madame Leota - before she begin to "float"



And a picture from the cemetary.



let's end with a look back to the past with this rare 1970's 8mm Walt Disney productions film.

The movie show Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, but the pictures above are from the WDW version.





Photos and video : copyright Disney and Walt Disney Productions

Screen capture from : http://cache.libsyn.com/insidethemagic/HauntedMansionRehaunting-540p.mp4

Many thanks to HbVideos for the youtube link !

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Crush's Coaster high-res wallpaper photo

I've already post some high-res wallpaper photos of the new Toon Studio , but this one of Crush's Coaster is new and it should look good on your desktop if you like the attraction!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

ASIMO robot is back at Tomorrowland Innoventions Stage ! Video



Honda's world famous Asimo robot is now "playing" again at Disneyland's at Tomorrowland Innoventions Stage since August 29.



Not only Asimo is so cute that everybody would like to have one in his home "right now!" - but it's a unique opportunity to have a close encounter with a technological wonder. The Honda Asimo theatre was inaugurated during Disneyland's 50th anniversary and is the only permanent show of Asimo in the U.S. During the 15 minutes presentation, the robot dance, chat with the audience , climb some stairs , etc...

And for those of you who don't live in south california, yes, i have a youtube video below that will show you most of the show!



And here is the official advertising video from Honda. I must add that the robot is not currently available on sale, and if it was, it should cost around - or more - 70000$ !



This last video will show you all the amazing things that Asimo can do !



Photo and video : copyright Honda co

YoutubeVideo: Many thanks to nukunukufufu

Monday, September 10, 2007

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is the title of the Indiana Jones 4 movie



Shia LaBeouf confirmed it today: the title of the next Indiana Jones 4 movie will be "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". Yes, that's right, exactly the title that, four weeks ago, i told you it will be the one - among the six different titles filed by LucasFilm at the MPAA.

You know what? I don't really care about being right or wrong - i mean, i do make mistake, like anybody. However, most of my friends would tell you that, generally, my vision is right, which, i'm sorry to say , is not totally accurate. It's true that generally my vision is right, but only 95% of the time! Okay, enough with provocation! The simple truth is that when you get older , your computer system - up there, in your head - had accumulate so many informations about life that you can guess more and more easily which logic is hidden behind almost...anything. Even behind Georges Lucas mind!

Now, frankly, it was not that difficult to guess it - although most of the Indy's fans web site were betting on "Indiana Jones and the City of Gods" or "Indiana Jones and the Lost City of Gold" instead than on "...the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".

If you've missed the previous article and want to know why it began obvious that "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" was going to be "the" title, here it is again below. A brilliant demonstration of crystal-clear intelligence!
( HEY, I'M KIDDING! I'm not THAT pretentious! )

August 15th article :

A movie web site report recently that , on the latest Motion Pictures Association of America Title Registration Report, Lucasfilm, Ltd has filed for six different titles for Indiana Jones 4.

The proposed titles include:

Indiana Jones and the City of Gods
Indiana Jones and the Destroyer of Worlds
Indiana Jones and the Fourth Corner of the Earth
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones and the Lost City of Gold
Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Covenant

The web site also say that "City of Gods has been long rumored to be the working title of the production. It also seems to be the best candidate of the bunch Destroyer of Worlds, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Fourth Corner of the Earth are way to corny for me."

Corny, may be, but at least one of those six titles sounds familiar to the Disney theme park fans, as "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is close to the title of the Tokyo Disney Sea's Indiana Jones adventure attraction : The "Temple of the crystal skull".

Some may think it's a coincidence. But all this remember me one of my recent topic about the San Diego Comic Con where i show you THIS picture:



With this text above it: "Hasbro who have the license for some of the coming Indiana Jones 4 products revealed their future action figures. They did a special Indy decor for the display, with Egyptian statues and a real-size Ark of the Covenant. But what intrigued me is this model of a Mayan pyramid, also part of their decor. As we know, the previous Indy expeditions didn't lead him to old Mayan civilisation. So, is this the first proof to the rumours that the "treasure" location of the fourth movie will be in Mexico?"

Now, what is important to remember is that the outside decor of TDS Temple of the crystal skull is also a mayan pyramid as you can see on the photo below.



With of course a crystal skull inside...



The TDS attraction have a lot of similar scenes with the Disneyland "Temple of the forbidden eye" version, but with a different story line and a major change in the big scene of the ride as japanese laws forbidden to have some fire effects in the "bubbling death" sequence. So, at TDS it has been replaced by a giant threatening "twister". But all this doesn't mean, of course, that this particular scene will appear in the movie.



To come back to the movie, i have to add that we know now for sure that part of the action of Indy 4 will be located in Mexico - Spielberg is now shooting in Hawai instead of Mexico for production reasons. Let's not forget, too, Lucas gift for marketing - what can be better for the Asian market , and specially the japanese, to have a movie based on an already famous attraction ? - and god knows that the Disney parks are popular in the empire of the rising sun!

Not to mention that the "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" title is not that corny...for me it sounds more like a perfect Indiana Jones title. And not because the imagineers choose a pretty similar title for the TDS attraction - with the agreement of Georges Lucas, let's not forget it - but simply because after "Raiders of the lost ark", "Indiana Jones and the temple of doom" and "Indiana Jones and the last crusade" , "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" sounds like a perfect "Indy" title with a mix of archeological adventure and creepy feeling in it.

So, for all these reasons, and just for the fun, i will bet on "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" for the title of the highly awaited Indiana Jones 4 movie.

Your thoughts?

Photos: copyright Disney-Oriental Land co

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Great Tokyo Disney Sea wallpaper pictures ! Part three



Here is a selection of high-res wallpaper images of the most beautiful theme park in the world: Tokyo Disney Sea. This is the part three, with official press photos about the Arabian coast and the Sindbad attraction - the first version , other pictures will come in a near future. Don't forget to double-click on the one you like to see it in bigger size.

I must remind you as it is written on the "terms of use" page that, in the event you download any material from The Disney and more blog, the download of the material, including any files or images must be for your personal, noncommercial home use only. You may not and cannot sell, print or reproduce in any way any material downloaded from The Disney and more blog, and specifically any material copyright Disney , Walt Disney company, Oriental Land co, or any other companies.

All photos: copyright Disney and Oriental Land co






Just like last time, i've made first the mistake to don't change the files in "RVB" colours, and just like last time, the mistake bring a good surprise on one picture with these surrealistic colours. Here is is in bonus.

A "French" point of view about Michael Moore's "Sicko"



Michael Moore's "Sicko" is far from Disney for sure, but the movie was released last saturday in France , and i saw it tonight.

Just two words about it - a french point of view - as Michael is talking about France "medicaid" system in the movie.

Basically, what Michael say is true. For instance, if you have an emergency problem - small or big - and if you go to the hospital even at 2 a.m, anybody will get the appropriate medical treatment, and, yes, even if you don't have money, they will take care of you.
It's also true that you will go out without paying. The only thing that Michael forgot to say is that they will send you an invoice later. But, it's not really a big problem, as, in most of the case - i.e if you don't have to stay to the hospital overnight - it will cost you around 70$, probably less. And at least 70% of it will be refund by the social security government system.

Frankly, if the situation in France was as outrageous as it seems to be in the U.S, it will be the revolution here!
This leads me to a quote from the movie when an american living in Paris is saying that one of the big difference between the U.S and France is that "in France, the government is afraid of the people" ( always ready to go down in the streets to demonstrate when they think that the government did something wrong ) and "in the U.S, the people are afraid of the government". I don't know if it's true or not, but from Europe , it's exactly what people can think.

I'm sure that most of you already agree with what Michael is talking about ( and it's difficult to don't agree ) but that's not my point . Everybody talked about the need of a social security system in the U.S , which is obvious, but not about the "movie" itself, and the fact is that it is a very good movie ! Never boring, a perfect balance between facts and emotion, etc...

So, even if you think you don't need to see it because you already agree with what Michael say, you should go to see it for the pleasure to see a good movie !