Morning all,

If you’re in Toronto then you’ll understand why I think today’s weather is absolutely disgusting. Okay, humidity rant over and on to bigger and better things. So I went out and caught the last installment of the Harry Potter franchise this Saturday and before anyone jumps through the window pounds me into a horrible submission with their wands and lightning bolted foreheads, understand that I’m not the biggest Potter fan out there.

My one word review? Meh….

Fortunately there was something great that occurred before the feature – that being the very first teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan‘s Batman: Dark Knight Rises. Without going into a shot-by-shot breakdown (and I won’t subject anyone to the horrible cam-version floating around there right now) I can honestly say that this is going to be exciting. Not so much about the movie itself because we don’t really know a ton about it, but just the angst and anticipation waiting for this flick is already rising. I’m sure you can find versions of a breakdown somewhere online but there are a few reveals that should be telling. First up, Gordon is in the hospital pleading his case for Batman to come back, there’s a quick shot of Bane and it makes complete sense of the teaser poster. Sounds confusing, but I guess you’ll have to watch it. Like I said, I’m not going to embed it, but if you don’t mind bootleg-shaky-cam-trailers, here you go. Enjoy!

Morning all,

This time I’ve got a valid excuse for not being around for a while. I’ve actually been on vacation! Last week the GF and I flew down to Orlando Florida to take in the sun, the experience of Universal Studios and the brand new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Needless to say, it was spectacular. A few highlights? Okay then:

Went to Bubba Gump Shrimp, you know, the shrimp’n boat company from Forrest Gump. Well it turns out the restaurant chain actually existed before the movie, but since Ton Hanks ate a box of chocolates it’s really taken off. That, and Bubba Gump has basically changed itself from a restaurant to an all-out Forrest Gump movie restaurant. This is basically the definition of selling out, but who cares, American portions!!! Ate way too much, but that was just the start.

Hogsmeed was spectacular. Staying on the resort allowed us to jump the line-ups the entire time we were there so I’m not sure how different it would have been if we had to stand in the boiling heat for 3 hours before a 2 minute ride. In any case, WOW. The rides were great, Olivanders is a step above any gift shop in the world (in my opinion) and ButterBeer tastes like a caramel float. Think about that one for a second…. sounds pretty good huh?

But the best part of Universal Studios Orlando to me was visiting The Quick-E-Mart. That’s right, I went to Apu’s convenience store and had a Squishee. All in all, fun fun fun. Hopped a plane up to Chicago right after, but that’ll have to wait. Enjoy some photos!

Morning all,

Going to throw a bit of a twist into today’s post because it is time for a much needed celebration. And by celebration, I mean vacation. Phew. It’s been a tough few months in the last little while, but for those of you aren’t already aware,

I’m Taking My Talents To South Beach

Kind of. Okay, seriously though, I’m headed out of town for a little while but I’ll be back in due time. The GF and I will be testing our magical skills in Orlando as we’ll be visiting Hogwarts. That’s right. After that it’s a quick trip up to Chi-Town for a few days where we’ll eat pizza like gluttons and then home and back to the grind. So until then my friends, enjoy.

The latest trailer for the second to last movie from the Harry Potter movie series (Deathly Hollows Part 1) was released last evening. Have a look. Drool at the visuals. Smile at the characters you grew up with. Hope that someone invents a time machine so you can jump ahead a couple of months and watch this in the theatres. To 3D or not to 3D? Probably not even though it could be amazing.

Among a ton of other little hints of entertainment gems dropped last night at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards was this trailer for the latest in the Harry Potter franchise. As many of you are aware, the final book is actually being split into two films. This is the trailer for the first. A longer, more seductive trailer was dropped a few months ago, but in true MTV Movie Award fashion, last night gave us a few new scenes and a little more depth as to what we can expect to see. With the exception of the second film, the Harry Potter series seems to be getting better and better as the teams behind the productions get used to the world. Check it out below:

I’m kind of a roller coaster nutcase. I’ve done the specific trips to places like Magic Mountain and Disney World just to spend 3 hours in line for a 30 second rush. I’ve been to quite a few theme parks in my time so I would consider myself at least knowledgeable on the subject, so when I say that this brand new Harry Potter ride/thing at Universal Studios Florida looks completely off the chains, you don’t have to take it with any grains of salt.

Officially branded The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Universal Studios Resort in Florida has pretty much created Hogwarts for people to explore. Now I’ve been to the Magic Kingdom, I’ve ridden through ET‘s world, I’ve done Star Tours and I’ve taken the waterfall into Jurassic Park, but this… Oh my. I’m not even really the biggest Harry Potter fan, but after seeing this site and checking out the latest news on the production of this beast, even I can appreciate the detail being put into this experience.

Here’s a few of details you might be interested in:

They have recreated and entire street in Hogsmeade for people to walk around and explore

The kiddies (and who am I kidding, adults) can spend like crazy in Zonko’s and Dervish and Banges

You can take a ride on the Hippogriff

Hogwarts is a real castle

Okay okay, enough reading about this thing, how about seeing some stuff right?

The sheer scale of this thing is impressive enough, but it sounds like Universal Studios is planning something even bigger. They have just sent out a press release stating that on January 28th, in partnership with USA Today, they will be releasing what is being referred to as an “augmented reality map” of the entire experience. Basically what people can do is go online and experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter live right from their computer screen. I’m sure this is simply a ploy to get people so excited to book their vacations early, but who cares… This thing looks great so far.

Check out everything on the official media site.

I have to admit, I’m not totally sold on all of the flicks that have come out this summer. Last night I popped out and watched Bruno expecting it to steal some of the laughter that other summer movies have failed to garner, but I guess it just wasnt’ meant to be. So far my plate has consisted of:

Transformers 2 – lame

Public Enemies – long

Bruno – too much genetalia

Terminator Salvation – McG didn’t get it

On the other hand, there have been three flicks that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Up! – Amazing

Star Trek – Wonderful Entertainment

Hangover – 2009 Hit

So basically what I’m saying is that the success of the Summer blockbuster season hangs in the balance with Harry Potter and Inglorious Basterds. This flick could save the summer, but who knows? Maybe it’ll cap off what has already been a pretty disappointing season.

Just a shorty today cause I got some stuff to take care of.

I’m gonna take a short break from updating the Cali stories to let people catch up; instead I thought I’d do something a little bit helpful. Here are the latest trailers for every movie that I will be lining up to see this Summer. Ready? Okay here we go:

Star Trek

Transformers 2

Harry Potter

Moon

Inglourious Basterds

Public Enemies

Up

Terminator

Funny People

The Hangover

Bruno