Universal Studios Hollywood

Just got back a few hours ago as I am writing this and why did I go if you are asking? Yes its a pretty small park, but the most reason I would go is for the opening of The Simpsons Ride. How was it you ask? Pretty awesome. Way better, in some ways, than the Back to the Future: The Ride. It uses just about the same type of motion simulation for the ride. What's better you ask? Its The Simpsons! C'mon that's a silly question. Plus its got a lot more motion and hilarity to it. Seriously when riding it, I can clearly feel the G's (or just a lot of major rapid motion). Yeah, not a ride for the faint at heart. I'll be explaining what neat things to see as some people head to Universal Studios by entering the world of The Simpsons; well part of it. Here are some pictures I took meanwhile; I'm no photographer unfortunately:

Picture of famous Universal Studios spinning globe

Universal Studios Entrance, complete with red carpet

This I took for no particular reason, I just found it at an old Warehouse store, which apparently sold a lot of old unsold Universal Studios souvenir products. Which includes this unsold, very well taken care of Keyman with Net Launcher (?) action figure from the E.T. movie. Yes this store sold a lot of Universal Horror costumes along with an unsettling old merchandise smell.

Seriously, who doesn't take a picture of this? Straight from the T2 store, which is apparently being sold for around $5,700 that also says on the sign next to it, and ships within 5 boxes and easy to assemble.Time to save some money.

Now on to The Simpsons stuff. You will have to bare with me here since I made a horrible mistake on my part. Reason being; I figured I should record everything I see since the way I see it on my phone, everything looks all nice and clear. Figures out; I was very wrong. After seeing my recording, near the end of my stay, the video turned out very crappy and only some things are visible. Also I can't convert it to see it on YouTube and it is just a whole mess. So What I figured I do is capture some [crappy looking] pictures from my video, and post them up. Then I will find a better looking video walkthrough after the pictures. Well hopefully that helps:

Entrance of Kwik-E-Mart. Not bad looking, same logo and style from the 7-Eleven ones.

This is part of the inside stash inside the Kwik-E-Mart. It has Flaming Moe energy drinks (On Top) and Duff Energy Drinks (on bottom). Flaming Moe taste like Red Bull and Duff Energy Drinks taste like Monster drinks. Typical. Where's the Buzz? Sadly not here. (Buzz drinks may be sold at the Orlando location, were it is apparently bigger than the one here, but that's Orlando for you.)

Here's a better look at the drinks. Same Duff size. The Flaming Moe clearly looks like the same size as a Red Bull.

Yep its Moe's. Not a lot of people get to see this, since its very well hidden, and its actually a side entrance to the Kwik-E-Mart. Yes lame in some ways but quite awesome considering its still the front of Moe's Tavern. The people who may see it, are the ones that come out of the ride, since the ride photos are right next to it.

Now I'm cheating; here's a high quality look at the entrance to The Simpsons Ride.

We also get The Android's Dungeon, unfortunately only a painting. It is still very cool to see. It is painted on the side of the Kwik-E-Mart. Mostly the part of which they store all The Simpsons merchandise for the store.

Now this shot includes the side of Moe's Tavern. If I had a 3D image, I could probably better explain how the whole Kwik-E-Mart thing, but hopefully you get what's going on with this. The door here is actually a real door. Yet only an employee entrance. (Ignore person in shot, he was in the way)

Now for the Kwik-E-Mart Video, which is pretty old since the ride isn't open and the side entrance isn't open either, but still same merchandise it is a few weeks later:

I would show more of the ride, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. All I can say it is very fun, very well done, with gags everywhere as well as a special appearance, from the videos shown, from the past or is it the future rather...well anyway's its a very fun ride. One thing I may not see here, but hopefully will be here soon are squishees. I saw a recent picture for the Orlando The Simpsons Ride, and well they have a stand selling squishees there. Why don't they have it here yet? No idea. Hopefully we will have some kind of Simpsons theme restaurant here, probably were Doc's Fried Chicken is since the Back to the Future: The Ride is gone. I actually tasted that today and I gotta say it's bloody awful (I seriously still have the aftertaste, its bad). But anyway's Universal Orlando still has rides we don't have here anymore. We just need more room and have more Theme Parks as how Universal Orlando is. That's a never.

A Batch Of New Things

Yeah I haven't really posted in a while, but good thing I haven't since I've complied a new batch of news which you surely want to read up on:

• Has anyone seen Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull yet? I surely have and I got to say, yes my friends, Indiana Jones is indeed back in this new adventure which is really for all the Indiana Jones fans out there. I have no review yet, but I'll save a review for my next post. I won't ruin anything I will just say that it really brings back many memories as well as new ones, and it will take quite a while to take that theme song out of your head.
• Heres a video which brings my faith back into M. Night Shyamalan's new movie; The Happening:
  

Online Videos by Veoh.com

• See the new Prince of Persia video game? Yeah looks awesome. Heard about the Prince of Persia movie? Yeah unfortunately. The only piece of news I have heard from the movie is that it stars Jake Gyllenhaal. Not much else. Here's a pic from the new game:

See that? That ain't concept art. Thats the actual game folks.

• Theres a new pic from the Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li movie as well. This time its actually Kristin Kreuk as Chun-Li and well shes not wearing her usual outfit, its still a very good looking picture:
• 

• The Dark Knight website has been updated with a new screensaver and very many other things to download just to let people know. The link is on the sidebar here on the right side. Theres also a new website for the new Batman: Gotham Knight DVD as well, which is another thing to take a look at.
• Their is rumored that new Spider-Man 4 and 5 movies will be filmed all together. I don't exactly know how that will work out, but its something. Apparently someone has penned the new sequel and that it will all somehow continue to another movie. Toby Maguire and Sam Raimi have not said anything about coming back yet, but we all know they will.
  
• The Simpsons Ride opened today at Universal Studios Hollywood, although, I haven't tried to find any pictures I'll provide you with my own near the end of the week as I make my own trek to Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday. I heard the ride is great so I really can't wait myself to try it out.

The Dark Knight TV Spots

Some have you seen em, many have not. I mostly see them on the internets. I would post them, but they arent like really long and show very little. Although the newest of TV spots, which is the third one shows a little more and my favorite of the TV spots. So against what I said I wasn't going to do here's the third TV spot and see for yourself why it could be the best:

Updated: I've Been Meaning To Talk About This

Just a few weeks ago I went with my cousin (Who has a blog linked in the blog list) to 7-Eleven and noticed very new things including promotions for the Iron Man Slurpee cups, as well as a cookie that seemed to be sold out, and straws for your Iron Man cups. (There was also this Iron Man Helmet Slurpee cup which is totally awesome, but I bought a few days later, but I digest...)I also noticed a two new assortments of M and M candies. There is new flavors like Wildly Cherry (with dark chocolate I believe) and Mint Crisp (Which was the only new flavor in favor (kinda rhymes) of the new Indiana Jones movie. Here are some pictures :

Wildly Cherry Flavor:




Mint Crispy:




The Cherry flavor I find disgusting, but since I had it with the awful tasting Vault Slurpee it may have been that. So try it for yourself. People definitely have to try the Mint Crisp; it tastes awesome. Thats of course if your a mint person. So go to 7-Eleven soon since its the only place I've found both of these and probably the only place you will find it. The Indy and Iron Man promos are pretty cool. Also see if you can still find the Iron Man helmet. Its a whopping $3.50 for the very well done cup, but well worth it since the first drink is free. Also you may want to check out the pink frosting Simpsons Donut. Probably the only piece of The Simpsons Movie Promotion they kept, but it still tastes great.

The Truth Is Out There

Watch the official trailer for the X-Files: I Want To Believe movie here:

Updated: Movies In Need Of A DVD Re-Release

And now for something different...for a while now I've been posting Dark Knight updates. Now that their hasn't been anything new for a while and most of everyone is still watching the new trailer, in my very small spare time I have come up with a list of DVD movies that are in dire need of a re-release. Who else has been wanting to see a movie and want more? Maybe its more extras, a commentary, or an anamorphic movie. What's anamorphic you say? Read about it here.

Now that its taken you about 2 hours, for those of you who don't know what it is, about understanding the strange ways of anamorphic widescreen you probably want a DVD like that now for your fancy widescreen TV. Lets just hope the movie is meant to be seen that way as well. Well here I've comprised a list of DVDs worthy of a re-release either for more extras or for it to be seen the way it was made:

The Rocketeer:

Why?: This one of the first superhero's I became familiar with while I was growing up. I liked the movie, I think it deserves a good place on DVD and containing many extras. Which could include how they made him fly, either in a featurette or just in the making of the movie. I also like the old style of the movie taking place in what looks like during World War II were Nazi (I hate these guys)slogans are everywhere. This certainly needs a new release.

Cliff Secord: (Donning the Rocketeer's helmet) "How do I look?"

"Peevy" Peabody: "Like a hood ornament."

Dick Tracy:

Why?: Some of you will be thanking me later since this is another classic from the early 90's which stars a very much younger Warren Beatty. Its a very stylistic and very good comic book style movie. I remember vague things about the movie since I saw it very long ago, but I do know its based on the comics. I don't think the old DVD is anamorphic but it is definitely an old movie which does quite deserve another look at. Wait Madonna was in this?

The Nightmare Before Christmas:

Why?: We won't see this happening for a while for one reason: Its a Disney movie. Because of Disney's "Vault" program re-releases come like 3 Disney Re-mastered DVD's a year. Its a slow very messy process so don't expect an anamorphic DVD anytime soon. You can by the old DVD at select Disney park Nightmare Before Christmas stores (yes the stories are true!) for like $30 (damn you Disney), which I unfortunately bought. Maybe we can get also the 3D version which was seen only in theaters, which I have yet to see, but only in my dreams.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids:

Why?: A nostalgic piece of family movie history is this type of adventure which I still to this day, I wonder how the hell they actually do that? I'd like to see some DVD features on how they created the very huge environments. They actually got to eat a giant sized marshmallow cookie sandwich and ride an ant. Who else has dreamed about that? Everyone that's who. (Image Info: That pic is not actually from the movie, but a movie set adventure theme adventure which is at DisneyWorld. They are living our fantasy.)

Super Mario Bros. The Movie:

Why?!: Just because. No seriously who wouldn't want to see another set of this very uninspired video game to movie theme based movie and one of the first. I think it is the first actually and who wouldn't want a piece of movie history on DVD? Nuff said. Although what's with the Goomba's? They should have like an hour long featurette explaining that.

I just noticed I have two movies up by the same director. Leave comments for what movie you want to be Re-released.

One more thing; I forgot to post this one:

The Neverending Story:

Why?: A childhood classic for some, but this is one really thought out adventure. The movie also kinda scared me. Not so much with Falkor, but with possibly the Giant turtle dude. It was weird (Speaking of Falcor, what the hell was he anyway?). I mean when I saw it I'm like, theres a freaking giant turtle in a swamp that looked like an island before. Plus it almost let Atreyu die as he sank in the swamp. That was one horrific scene. Still one good movie nonetheless. It should probably be coupled with Neverending Story II, yet that movie still annoys me to this day (especially Bastian who looks like either a girl or a guy, whats with the casting there?) Lot's of good memories, seriously who hasn't ever dreamed of riding Falkor while chasing your 6th grade bullies? Yeah!

Four Spoilers From The Dark Knight Trailer

Spoiler 1: Which is pretty obvious from the trailer, the transformation of Harvey Dent to Two-Face from the scene seen(whoa didn't think that would happen in the same sentence) in about 1:52 in most trailers. We knew it was gonna happen anyways, but its still quite spoiling on what we are going to see in The Dark Knight.

Spoiler 2:

Probably the most pointed out thing that seems hidden, but catches the eye, is which you can kinda see Harvey Dent has already turned into Two-Face. All you see is a few scars and a little peak at half his suit, either custom made or burned along with half his face.

And heres a link to my friends website with the pic from the trailer, as well as a little major spoiler on what Two-Face may look like in the movie: http://afistfulofsuck.blogspot.com/2008/05/severe-dermatological-issues.html

Spoiler 3:

Probably another semi-spoiler, but not well pointed out as Two-Face is what you see for a fraction of a second after Harvey asks Alfred of Rachel's Psychotic boyfriend, and before Batman smashes the van, you have to wonder: who's driving the van? Hm, I wonder...


(Click for bigger image)

Spoiler 4:

And finally one that probably has been talked about once, but no one seems to think about, is (Highlight for major spoiler) the completely psychotic thing Joker does at about 1:55. This happens a lot in Batman movies, but yet it doesn't show where Batman is and whats going on exactly. Rachel Dawes seems to be thrown off the ledge by Joker as he laughs. Gotta think about that.

And Here We...Go.

Watch the new Dark Knight Trailer here:


Online Videos by Veoh.com

Or download a higher version here:

http://www.whysoserious.com/happytrails/trailer.htm