Twenty years, two diminishing-returns sequels, multiple theme park attractions, and endless merchandising may have conspired to dull your memory of that magical first viewing of Jurassic Park. The 1993 sci-fi adventure, adapted from Michael Crichton's thoughtful thriller about chaos theory and genetic engineering, was in a way the last gasp of director Steven Spielberg's...
Read more »
The long-anticipated New Fantasyland expansion at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom officially opens to the public on December 6th, but select guests have been given the opportunity to experience the new attractions through “soft openings” held over the past few weeks. All the elements of New Fantasyland should be open for business next Thursday,...
Read more »
Last night, Universal Studios Florida let the least uncertain cat since Schroedeger's out of the bag, and finally admitted that the massive structure under construction in the middle of the park is indeed the future home of Transformers: The Ride. Theme park industry insiders have been predicting for months that the rapidly advancing (but...
Read more »
With author J.K. Rowling having moved on to adult novels, and the saga's final film finally slipping out of heavy rotation on HBO, you might expect the Harry Potter phenomenon to be petering out. But as the robed crowds filling Universal's Portofino Bay Resort for last weekend's Ascendio 2012 convention proved, this fandom still...
Read more »
When I was growing up in New Jersey during the prehistoric ante-Best Buy era, the popular local electronics chain Crazy Eddie (Slogan: “His prices are INSANE!”) advertised an annual “Christmas in August” sale. The owner Eddie Antar ended up in the slammer for securities fraud, but his spirit lived on in Tampa this past...
Read more »
Yesterday morning (Monday 7/2/2012) Universal Studios Florida celebrated the debut of their new 3-D simulator ride Despicable Me Minion Mayhem with a “yellow carpet” grand opening ceremony. Yellow Minions pranced, local schoolchildren danced, and disco music blared as journalists and fans wilted watching under the blazing sun. You can read my take on the...
Read more »
Host hotel, the Doubletree at SeaWorld, is offering the hilarious segregation of its real estate into “wing” habitats for women, men and bears.
Read more »
Do you dream of the chance to shine six days a week, wearing an itchy green lamé costume while dancing in click-track shows filled with dignity and class? Then come audition for a role performing at America’s most-awarded theme park, GalaxyWorld USA — it’s awesome! Street sweeper Sal Shoestring sets up the story, which...
Read more »
On the evening of May 8th, invited press and VIP guests braved stormy weather to walk the red carpet down Universal Studios Florida’s Hollywood Boulevard to witness the official premiere of the park’s newest entertainment offerings. As I shared in a recent edition of Live Active Cultures, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular has been in previews...
Read more »
When the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride debuted with the opening of Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure park in 1999, it instantly set a new standard for integrating 3-D imagery with motion simulation and physical effects in an an amusement attraction. Spidey (as it is known by its many fans) was widely considered the...
Read more »
Fringe Fest 2013 reviews Arts & Culture: Our top seven picks By Jessica Bryce Young 5/22/2013
Album Review: Daft Punk's 'Random Access Memories' Daft Punk ascends to new heights of what-the-fuck on arguably the year's most anticipated release. By M.T. Richards 5/22/2013
Live Active Cultures Arts & Culture: “Naruto” star Maile Flanagan on anime, fan conventions, being a military brat and thanking her wife at the Emmys By Seth Kubersky 5/22/2013
Savage Love COLUMN: Twenty-one-year-old female here. When we were both 14, my first boyfriend took advantage of me. I wanted to explore my sexuality a little, but... By Dan Savage 5/22/2013
Feedback Music: Music updates from around town: Sportstown, East-West Records, double dose of Lil’ Indies By Ashley Belanger 5/22/2013
The Survivors Project News: Excerpts from ebook that gives sexual-abuse survivors a chance to tell their stories 5/22/2013