Beverly Hills Chihuahua is now at a theater near you (watch your step). A few years ago, Disney decided to reduce the number of films they released in order to make sure each one was special. So every time Disney releases a film, I try to find its purpose by examining why Walt Disney Pictures is releasing it. While many might not consider Disney to be diverse, there is a concerted effort by the company to become so. You don’t need to look much farther than The Cheetah Girls to find a diverse entertainment offering. The parks already cater to a wide-variety of backgrounds and Disney has publishing imprints like Jump in to the Sun that feature a diverse cast of characters. In fact, as I am typing this, a press release just came across my desk that The Walt Disney Company is a sponsor for the Hispanic Public Relations Association’s 24th Annual HPRA PRemio Awards & Scholarship Dinner.
The fact that the Beverly Hills Chihuahua website is available in English and Spanish shows that they are trying to market the film to the Hispanic market as well as the general public. But this isn’t the end of The Walt Disney Studio’s attempt to become more diverse. Attached to Beverly Hills Chihuahua is the trailer for HSM3: Senior Year, which features a rainbow of signing and dancing high school students, and we all know the milestone that will be achieved when The Princess and the Frog is released. I applaud Disney for becoming more diverse. Not only for the politically correct reasons, but also for trying to extend the Disney magic to more people. With every film, there are more Disney characters that look like more people. And aren’t you proud of me…. I wrote this up without having to resort to a Jamie Lee Curtis/dog joke. YAY ME!
Quick Takes:
Parks and Resorts: Fall is coming to the Disneyland Resort. So lets take a look at what is coming to the Resort.
· High School Musical 3: The latest version of the High School Musical street performance premieres with the film on October 24. It is great that the parks are finally using the Disney Channel franchises. And DCA should be very proud. When both resorts premiered High School Musical shows with the launch of the Year of a Million Dreams, the DCA version was far superior to the Magic Kingdom version. So much so, that they canned the MK edition and copied the DCA show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Its not often you can say the DCA version is better.
· Pixie Hollow: I was pleasantly surprised by the Tinker Bell movie so I think it is great that the fairies will be coming in to the park. An added plus is that with the closure of Triton Gardens (the former Ariel meet and greet), no one will ever get it confused with Ariel’s Grotto (the restaurant at DCA) again.
· Blue Sky Cellar: On October 20th, a DCA preview center will open in the former Golden Vine Winery location. I love preview centers as I believe they build excitement for upcoming projects in the same way teaser trailers excite you for upcoming movies. I can’t wait to check this out.
· Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: Who isn’t happy that this attraction is being updated and reopened? Although I do think it is ironic that the castle was built four years before the film was released, but the castle walkthrough is being reopened a few months after the film is being released on Blu-Ray. Poor Sleeping Beauty needs to work on her timing.
Media Networks: ESPN 2 will broadcast “Morning Light: Making the Cut” on October 8 at 8 p.m. ET. This special takes you on a behind the scenes look at Morning Light which was conceived and produced by Roy E. Disney. This film is about one of Roy’s long time loves; sailing. I mentioned earlier that Disney has a reason for every movie they release. Is there any doubt about why this film was made?
Consumer Products: It’s hard to find Beverly Hills Chihuahua merchandise out there. On second thought, that is probably a good thing.
Disney Interactive Media: Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals, will “drop” on Tuesday. The original sold more than 1 million units and was one of the most popular games for the Nintendo DS in 2007. Today, Disney and Nintendo are releasing the game at the Nintendo World Store and is featuring an appearance by producer, Kentari Hisai. This game is an example how Disney is using its gaming unit to create new intellectual property. Seems like so far, they have had some success.
What to Watch: On Sunday, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, Disney Channel will premiere Studio DC Hosted by Selena Gomez. This special features the Disney Channel stars and the Muppets and is the sequel to the special hosted by Dylan and Cole Sprouse. While my reaction to the first edition was mixed it was the second-highest rated telecast of the week among kids aged 6-11 and tweens from 9-14.
Video of the Day: Speaking of the Muppets, here is Beaker’s video entitled, “Ode to Joy”. Beaker will be performing a duet with Demi Lovato on Studio DC which should be…..interesting.
News from Around the Web:
ABC News: Here is a story from ABC News regarding Nokia trying to take on Apple. As you know, Apple’s Steve Jobs is Disney’s largest shareholder. I wonder if there is any bias in this piece?
NY Times: The New York Times reports that there is concern regarding the way Gerard Mortier will guide the troubled New York City Opera. The company is having challenges that are not helped by the fact that their home, Lincoln Center, is being refurbished so they do not have a venue this year. Of note, is that Gerard Mortier commissioned Philip Glass (not to be confused with Philippe Gas, the head of Euro Disney S.C.A.) to write an opera about Walt Disney’s final days.
USA Today: DreamWorks announced a Kung Fu Panda sequel for 2011 which will be released in Digital 3D. Way to jump on the band-wagon DreamWorks. No matter what Katzenberg says, Disney did 3D first. So there!
LA Times: Due to interest resulting from Beverly Hills Chihuahua, L.A. County shelters are hosting a “Chihuahua Adopt-a-Thon”. While owning a dog is a huge commitment, there is nothing better. Just don’t make a mistake and accidently adopt Jamie Lee Curtis.
Orlando Sentinel: An Extreme Makeover homeowner struggles with a $29,000 county lien and code violations, after she received the house for free from the ABC reality show. You would think that if you were built an amazing home you would do whatever you could to make sure you met code so you wouldn’t lose it. Oh Well!
Variety: Despite a crowded release schedule, Beverly Hills Chihuahua lead the box office with $7.8 million on Friday. The film should make over $20 million for the three day weekend. I would believe this beats expectations, so congrats to Disney! Who knew George Lopez would be such a draw.