Pete's Dragon Reboot

When we think about classic Disney live action films, titles like Mary Poppins and Old Yeller pop into our heads. Pete's Dragon isn't usually included in this list. Although it has some kind of a cult following and has a lot of heart, the film is widely regarded as...bad. The music is catchy but dated. The acting is done well by some and awful by others. The story is cute. But the film was never a favorite among critics and audiences alike. I grew up with the film and while I enjoy some of the music and appreciate what the story is going for, I can't argue in the movie's defense. It is not good.
It was a surprise to all when Disney announced back in 2013 that a reboot was in the works. Why would Disney reboot this of all films? I'm actually excited for the film. I think Disney would only want to reboot a project that needed lots of work so that the classics can remains classics and the one that needs work could get a fresh take and redeem the story, hopefully. I think this reboot can certainly redeem the story of Pete's Dragon.
Let's first address the changes that have been announced. The first change, and the most obvious and minimal, is Elliot the dragon who will go from a hand drawn animation to a CG dragon. This change was pretty much a no brainer. Since CG is the popular animation form these days. Hopefully this change will make Elliot more realistic but hopefully not too realistic like a dragon from Game of Thrones or Harry Potter. The second change regards a friend for Pete. Pete was on his own in the original film. Now he will be accompanied by a friend named Natalie. I'm not sure how big a role Natalie will play though she will certainly change the script and the character of Pete quite a bit. While I like Pete on his own and his bond with Nora, I think him having a friend will be nice. I hope this reboot can balance Pete's relationship with both Natalie and Nora so that he can have a mother figure and a friend instead of one acting as both. The final change, and the biggest one, is that the new film will not be a musical.
These changes are big and different but in my opinion fresh and exciting. I am actually looking forward to seeing this movie in theaters. By the looks of things, I feel like this project is similar to the recent film Where the Wild Things Are. While I'm not a huge fan of that film, it is good. I'm kind of hoping that these changes hint toward a similar style of storytelling in that Pete's Dragon could be a movie about childhood but not necessarily for children. It could be a more organic film and make fantasy much more of the reality it truly is. Or it could take an entirely different route though I hope it doesn't. I did read rumors that they are changing the original plot where Nora will be a park ranger instead of a lighthouse keeper. Of course I will keep an open mind but I do wish they would stick to the original story because there was a romanticism to the lighthouse and Nora's longing for Paul to return. 
What do you guys think of the reboot? Are you excited or does it make you cringe? Let me know in the comments!

Big Hero 6 and the Call to Create

There are some movies that hit the big screen that you watch and make you want to create. Take for example, Ratatouille. It isn't the best Pixar movie but it sure makes you want to eat delectable food or make something delectable yourself be it food, writing a book, or designing an advertisement. I think Disney has taken this aspect of creative inspiration and paid it forward with their newest hit, Big Hero 6.
When you think about it, many super hero movies are about creativity. Spiderman has to design his own machine to shoot out web and Batman has to creatively stump his opponents like the Joker. And in Big Hero 6, main character Hiro, loveable robot Baymax, and Hiro's buddies have to creatively harness their talents and figure their way out of sticky situations. But it isn't even particularly the super hero aspect of the film that inspires the audience but the technological advances these characters could make (and now that I think about it, super heroes usually have access to crazy technology so I guess this still exists in the super hero realm). Watching Hiro present his microbots idea made me feel as if I was at an attraction at Walt Disney World. It makes you wonder, would Walt approve of this film?

Like him or hate him, no one can deny that Walt Disney was some sort of genius. His desire for innovation and creativity is what has given us some beloved movies and amazing theme parks, and being at the parks often inspires creativity too. It inspires us to tell stories and make things. Hiro's use of materials in Big Hero 6, like Walt's, inspires kids and adults alike. The film has already been linked to creating via things such as the World Maker Faire in New York City and the X Prize Challenge.
Creativity isn't always looked at as a virtue per say yet I would argue that it is essential to living in a better world. Big Hero 6, like Ratatouille and Walt Disney, calls us to create and think deeply about things. This brings us closer to human understanding. This element of Big Hero 6 is what makes it a really great film. While it isn't perfect and has many faults, the main characters all call us to make something and make something bigger than ourselves.
What sort of things would you love to create that would make our world a little better? Let me know in the comments or speak your mind on the Talk Magic to Me Forums. And be sure to listen to the newest episode of Talk Magic to Me where we talk about Big Hero 6!

Disney's Apples to Apples

As far as I'm concerned, mid October is the start of Christmas and the holidays and the holidays mean family time. A great way to take advantage of time together is by playing board games and what could be better when you combine board games with Disney?!
This month, I am recommending the game Apple to Apples, Disney edition. If you're not sure how this game works, allow me to explain. Apples to Apples is a card game. There are red cards and green cards. On the red cards are nouns (person, place, thing, or idea) and the green cards are adjectives. Simple grammar, right? The game must be played with at least three people though four or more is recommended. The object of the game is to gather the green cards. Whoever has the most adjective/green cards by the end of the game, wins.
Each player gets a certain amount of red cards. They are not supposed to let each other view their selections. To start the game, one person becomes the judge and picks up a green card from the pile and lays it down for the other players to see. It is the job of the rest of the players to put down a noun from their hand that they feel best fits the adjective. All red cards should be face down. Once everyone besides the judge puts down a red card, the judge gathers the cards and decides which red card fits the adjective best. Whoever put down that card wins the round and gets to keep the green adjective card.
Here is an example game: the adjective I put down is romantic. Players put down Hercules, Lumiere, Baymax, and Belle. You may be wondering why Baymax is on this list. Well, the game leaves room for silliness and you can always put a card down that purposefully doesn't fit the adjective but is funny to think about in that way, or you can put a card down that is the opposite or to be ironic. In the end, the judge decides and may like you sense of humor or may like that you chose to be straightforward.
Be sure to pick up Disney's Apples to Apples today and spend lots of hours playing with your family!

What Spieling Peter Can Teach Writers

Original post: http://thereader101.blogspot.com/2013/01/wasted-wednesday-what-spieling-peter.html

::spieling -- to speak extravagantly; a lengthy speech or argument usually intended to persuade::

Spieling is the nickname a certain Peter Pan acquired while working at Disneyland and being in contact with many video cameras.  Because this particular Peter Pan "spiels", or talks, a lot, he was given the nickname Spieling Peter.  His real name is Andrew Ducote, an actor who just happens to be a huge Peter Pan fan.  Ducote's fresh and energetic take on the character of Peter Pan made Disney fans from all over the United States want to fly to Disney Land in California just to meet him in person.  He is perhaps the most popular "face character" (characters at the Disney theme parks who do not where any type of suit that covers their entire face/body and can speak to the visitors of the park) Disney Land has ever seen.  Fan videos with him earn thousands of hits on YouTube and there are even blogs dedicated to this guy.  Before  you continue reading, maybe you want to watch him in action?  Check out his videos below.


Saying Hello to Giselle | Dream Catcher | Little Boy | Disneyland | Losing Voice | Crow | At Disneyland | Story-time featuring Alice & The Mad Hatter

So why is Spieling Peter so popular to audiences?  Well, there are many reasons why.  For one thing, he is fun and energetic.  His talkative nature makes people laugh.  But more importantly, it is Ducote's interpretation of the character he is playing - a boy who never wants to grow up.  Indeed his nature is funny but also quite annoying at times, much like the actual Peter Pan from the movies.

Surprisingly, watching him in character can teach us writers quite a bit about character painting including flaws, hobbies, habits, and environment.  Throughout the videos I posted above, the audience gets a very good sense from Ducote's portrayal of who Peter Pan would be if he actually existed in the flesh.  He enjoys to play games where he is the winner and loves laughing at another's expense (of course friendly expense).  He knows what Dream Catchers mean to someone who lives in Neverland and loves to play his flute if he hasn't forgotten to bring it with him.  And he knows the stories of the other characters around him, referring a little girl who is too shy to speak to visit Ariel because she "lost her voice".  Essentially, Spieling Peter can teach writers how to stay in character.  This is not only important for writers who wish to create their own spin on a story previously told by someone else but also for writers originating characters.  Spieling Peters helps us to remember the big details and the little ones when it comes to bring a character to life!  It is important to learn from other arts other than the novel.  While I'd of course say the novel is essential to the writer, I would also say that other arts are just as important when it comes to writing and we can learn from anywhere; whether it be from a book, a film, a painting, or a Disney Land face character!
While Spieling Peter seems to be the best at his role, there are plenty of other characters who do a pretty good job at their roles as well.  Here are a few more videos for your viewing pleasure!

Megara | Belle & Gaston

MCMagic Minecraft Server

Minecraft. It is the game title that can be split into two parts that collectively and simply describe the game. When you play Minecraft you mine and you craft. The premise is very creative yet also a bit confusing at the start. Many people don't get it and ask, what's the point? The game seems so simple that it would be borderline boring and pointless. I wondered these exact same things about two years ago when I watched YouTuber Luke Conard post a video of him playing the game on his YouTube gaming channel. Through a snowball of events that are too jumbled to go into, I bought the game and have been a fan ever since. Minecraft has a very rare quality about it that I find very appealing. At times it is an addicting computer game taking over my life as alcohol would an alcoholic. Of course at these times I have to pull myself away as this is a very unhealthy habit. The game also has an ambient quality to it. You the player are an explorer venturing around the various spawned worlds, listening to the simple score that becomes so familiar to your brain that it relaxes you outside the game as well. Okay, so perhaps all of these things sound a little weird and you may be questioning my sanity. But if you have ever played Minecraft, this may sound familiar.

Forgetting all of that, Minecraft offers a lot of room for fun adventures and gaming which is why I believe it to be so successful. It gives complete control to the gamer in charge. What's not to love?

Now combine this game with one of entertainment's largest global names...That's right, someone created a Minecraft map replica of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! From strolling down Main Street USA to riding the Tower of Terror, there really is no limit to this awesome recreation. The map offers as much as Minecraft is limited to do. Users can download special resource packs to see cool visuals and hear actual audio that would be playing in the parks. The audio also allows users to watch fireworks shows like Wishes and Illuminations as if they were watching the real thing! These resource packs allow an even more immersive experience for Minecraft players.

The map is called MCMagic. Hours upon hours upon hours have gone into this project and it is offered to Minecraft players 100% free! This takes more than just dedication. It takes passion. The project is clearly created by people who love Disney and who want to keep the spirit alive. Many may scoff at people who spend so much time perfecting a Minecraft server but the truth is that a lot can be learned from creating something like this. There is a real discipline that is required to build on Minecraft. The same can be said of other professions and projects. When I come onto the Walt Disney World server, I feel an intense longing to create something too. Not only does a project like this excite but also inspires and that is what creating is about.

This server will only further Walt's dream of what Disney Land and Disney World could become! I can't wait to see what comes of this server and encourage any Disney fan to check it out. You will be utterly amazed just as I continue to be every time I explore on there! If you want to see me explore the Magic Kingdom along with my Talk Magic to Me co-host Rachel in our new gaming series, check out the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos to come.