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Movie Review: ‘The Monuments Men’

By
Ian Forbes
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The Monuments Men Review
John Goodman, Matt Damon, George Clooney, Bob Balaban, and Bill Murray in 'The Monuments Men' (Photo © 2013 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

2014. We need to talk. You see, 2013 was a problem. I can’t name more than a very small handful of films that are going to take up any space in my brain hole. Sometimes a year is just like that: cinematically disappointing. But when a year doesn’t deliver the filmic goodness one would like, karmically the following year should make up for things.

Sure, January is always a dumping ground, but sometimes it’s a fun dumping ground. As I was not invited to a screening of I, Frankenstein, I can’t tell you if it was so bad it’s worth seeing or not. Now February has arrived and there’s a new star-studded affair directed by the unofficial King of Hollywood, George Clooney. On paper, The Monuments Men sounds like it was built for an awards push. A-list actors, well-connected director who’s also starring in the film, and emotionally charged subject material.

Where does it all go wrong? Honestly, right from the start. Clooney can’t seem to stop fawning all over the actors on-screen, both via his script and his direction. The film is far more interested in a series of character-specific moments than focusing on the story. Then there’s the score, which is quite possibly the worst score I’ve heard in years. It seems like a mix of circus music and terrible pirate shanties. It only makes the horrifically cliché and over the top melodrama that unfolds over the two-hour running time even more hard to take.

All that being said, the screening audience seemed to love it. And why not? It’s got a bevy of likable actors and the actions of the Nazis are sugar-coated like your Saturday morning breakfast cereal. Add on the poorly thought-out story and character development, and boy howdy, Clooney’s got himself a winner.

Wait, hold on. My brain appears to have forgotten what “winner” means. Whatever. Look, the point here is that while the trailer is slick and makes it look like there might be some merit to The Monuments Men, just wait for someone to make a documentary. The facts are fascinating. Clooney’s misshapen narrative is not.

GRADE: D+

The Monuments Men opens in theaters on February 7, 2014 and is rated PG-13 for some images of war violence and historical smoking.




Movie Review: The LEGO Movie

By
Kevin Finnerty
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The LEGO Movie Review
Emmet, Wyldstyle, and Batman in 'The LEGO Movie' (Photo © 2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)
Reviewed by Kevin Finnerty
 
“You’re the ‘Special’ and the prophecy states that you are the most important person in the universe…that’s you, right?” asks Wyldstyle (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) to Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) an ordinary LEGO minifigure construction worker who has just been saved from the corrupt Bad Cop/Good Cop (voiced by Liam Neeson) after being mistaken for a Master Builder in the animated comedy The LEGO Movie.
 
All the Master Builders in the LEGO world have been waiting for the Special – another Master Builder – to rise up and lead a team to take on an evil LEGO tyrant named Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell) and stop him from ending their world as they know it. Wyldstyle believes Emmet to be the one Vitruvius (voiced by Morgan Freeman) spoke of and teams up with him, along with her boyfriend…The Dark Knight himself: Batman, well LEGO Batman anyways (voiced by Will Arnett)…to try to figure out a plan to stop Lord Business. Emmet, not wanting to be just ordinary anymore and falling LEGO head-over-heels for Wyldstyle, decides to do whatever he can to help even though he is in way over his little LEGO head.
 
Bright, colorful, and hilarious, The LEGO Movie is a fun adventure for kids and adults alike. It has an A-list voice cast who all do a superb job in bringing the characters to life. Elizabeth Banks is great as Wyldstyle, the LEGO female Master Builder who is at first dedicated to helping Emmet stop Lord Business and then becomes more than just upset when she begins to realize he may not be the Special after all. Morgan Freeman IS Morgan Freeman as the voice of Vitruvius, the old wise wizard of the group who always has something important to say to Emmet. Chris Pratt is perfect as Emmet, the nice, funny and a little bit geeky construction worker who ends up on the adventure of his life.
 
Hands down, however, it’s Will Arnett who steals the film and delivers the most laugh-out-loud lines in the entire film as the voice of Batman. Every single scene with Batman dealing with Emmet and taking part in big action sequences are the most entertaining and enjoyable of the movie. A perfect example of this is when Emmet and the others are first saved from certain doom by Batman and Emmet asks him if he could make him a Batwing in orange. Batman responds, “I only work in black…and sometimes very, very, dark grey.’ Deep-voiced and ominous, Arnett as the voice of Batman IS the Best element of The LEGO Movie.
 
The special 3D animation is stunning to look at and the action scenes are impressive. The script is fresh with some edgy humor and thoughtful with a few life lessons for Emmet that every child should know.
The only drawback is that the movie is not going to hold very young children’s attention. Kids six and under will find it slow and are likely to get bored since most who play with LEGOS are at least seven and up.
 
Visually impressive, original, clever, and very funny, The LEGO Movie is a first-rate animated adventure for kids 7-70.
 
GRADE: B
 
The LEGO Movie opens in theaters on February 7, 2014 and is rated PG for mild action and rude humor.
 

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Paul Walker’s Brick Mansions Gets a Release Date

By
Rebecca Murray
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Brick Mansions Starring Paul Walker Photo and Release Date
RZA and Paul Walker in Relativity Media's 'Brick Mansions' (Photo © 2013 Europacorp Photo Credit: Philippe Bosse)
Relativity Media has set an April 25, 2014 release date for the dramatic movie Brick Mansions starring Paul Walker in one of his last film roles. Brick Mansions is a remake of the French film District 13 and pairs Walker up with District 13 star David Belle. The cast also includes RZA and Catalina Denis.
 
The remake marks the directorial debut of editor Camille Delamarre.
 
In addition to the new release date, Relativity Media released a new photo from the film and announced they – along with EuropaCorp – will make a donation to Paul Walker’s charity Reach Out Worldwide. The donation will be equal to the cost of the Brick Mansions‘ world premiere.
 
-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Planes: Fire and Rescue New Trailer – Courage

By
Rebecca Murray
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Planes: Fire and Rescue Trailer
A scene from 'Planes: Fire and Rescue' (Photo © Disney)
Disney’s returning to the world of Planes with the sequel Planes: Fire and Rescue set to open in theaters on July 18, 2014. The sequel’s trailer seems to indicate the new movie will play to a slightly older audience than the first film, but that could just be the way the trailer’s been put together.
 
Directed by Bobs Gannaway, the voice cast includes Dane Cook and Julie Bowen.
 
The Plot:
 
Planes: Fire & Rescue is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire. When world famous air racer Dusty (Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous team, including spirited super scooper Dipper (Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.
 
Watch the trailer:
 

 
-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Team Up to Take on Preacher

By
Rebecca Murray
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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Work on AMC's PreacherLong-time friends Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (This Is The End) have signed on to develop a television series based on the comic book series, Preacher, by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The project’s set up at AMC and will have Rogen and Goldberg on board as writers and executive producers.
 
Sam Catlin (Breaking Bad) is attached as showrunner and executive producer. Neal Moritz (Prison Break), Vivian Cannon and Ori Marmur for Original Films
 and Ken Levin and Jason Netter are also executive producing.
 
Commenting on Preacher, AMC’s EVP of original programming, production and digital content Joel Stillerman said, “This is a great piece of material for AMC, and we’re thrilled to begin working with the creative team behind it to make another iconic AMC series.”
 
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg said, “This is amazing! We’ve tried for seven years to work on Preacher and we’re so psyched AMC is finally letting us. It is our favorite comic of all time, and we’re going to do everything we can to do it right. Humperdoo!”
 
“Steve Dillon and I are very happy to see Preacher being developed for TV, which seems a much more natural home for the story than a 2-hour movie. Between them, Sony TV and AMC have brought viewers two of my favorite shows with Breaking Bad and Mad Men, and it’s exactly that kind of creative commitment and courage that Preacher needs. Obviously it’s taken a while, but Ken Levin along with Neal Moritz and his team refused to give up, long after the point when I myself grew skeptical, and their unrelenting enthusiasm for the project has gotten us where we need to be. I’m particularly impressed that Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Sam Catlin understand Preacher fully — meaning they get it for what it is, not some vague approximation. All in all, it looks like Preacher can now be brought to TV in a way that I’d previously not have thought possible, and I very much appreciate that Steve and I have been included in the conversation in the way that we have,” said Garth Ennis.
 
The Preacher Plot:
 
Preacher follows Reverend Jesse Custer, a tough Texas preacher who has lost his faith, has learned that God has left Heaven and abandoned His responsibilities. He finds himself the only person capable of tracking God down, demanding answers, and making Him answer for His dereliction of duty. Accompanying Jesse on his journey is his former girlfriend and a friendly vampire who seems to prefer a pint in the pub to the blood of the innocent. On his tail is one of the most iconic bad guys in print – an immortal, unstoppable killing machine named the Saint of Killers – a western lone gunman archetype whose sole purpose is to hunt and kill Jesse.
 
Source: AMC
 
-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Channing Tatum Announces the Team Oscar Winners

By
Rebecca Murray
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Student filmmakers submitted short videos explaining what they will contribute to the future of films in hopes of being selected as a member of “Team Oscar,” and five talented U.S. college students were chosen based on the quality of their work. Channing Tatum had the honor of announcing the five up-and-coming filmmakers who will be treated to a week in Hollywood and will get to take the Oscar stage.
 
The winners were chosen by Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, Tatum, and the Academy. The five who were selected will deliver Oscar statuettes to celebrity presenters and will take part in meet and greets with filmmakers during the week leading up to the Oscars, take tour studios, and visit the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library.
 
“We created this contest last year to give students who are passionate about film, the opportunity to set their sights on the future,” said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “We received so many inspiring submissions this year that it made for a difficult choice, but the talent and stories of these six winners really represent what Team Oscar is all about and convinced us that they are a perfect fit for the Oscar stage.”
 
“I was blown away by the quality of the videos the students created, and more importantly, by the visions they represented,” said Channing Tatum. “It was a tough choice, but I’m proud of the winners we chose and can’t wait to share the Oscars stage with them.”
 
The “Team Oscar” winners are:
 
Zaineb Abdul-Nabi – University of Michigan (MI) – Hometown: Bronx, NY
Tayo Amos – Stanford University (CA) – Hometown: Mountain View, CA
Nathan Flanagan-Frankl – Chapman University (CA) – Hometown: Northbrook, IL
Jeanpaul Isaacs – Rutgers University (NJ) – Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
Bryson Kemp – Muhlenberg College (PA) – Hometown: North East, MD
Mackenna Millet – Pepperdine University (CA) – Hometown: Laguna Niguel, CA
The winner’s videos can be viewed here.
 
The 2014 Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2014 at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA.
 

 
Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
 
-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Amazon Studios Releases 10 Brand New Pilots

By
Rebecca Murray
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Amazon LogoAmazon has unveiled 10 pilots and is encouraging viewers to access Prime Instant Video to vote on which ones should move forward as series. The just-released pilots include projects from Chris Carter, Roman Coppola, author Michael Connelly, Jason Schwartzman and Paul Weitz, and are now available for viewing via Kindle Fire tablets, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, smart TVs, and online at Amazon.com.
 
“With our previous set of pilots, customers submitted thousands of reviews within the first few days and more than 80 percent of those reviews were 4 and 5 stars,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “We collaborated with some of the very best creators in Hollywood—and even some newcomers that submitted their show through our open door process—to bring customers a wide array of top-quality shows. This season we have something for everyone with a mix of comedy, drama and kids programming—we can’t wait to hear what customers think.”
 
“We can’t wait to share The After with audiences all over the world via Amazon.com. It’s an exciting time to be making TV—and this is an exciting place to be doing it,” said Chris Carter, creator of The After.
 
“I’m really excited to be bringing Bosch to Amazon viewers. I think we’ve put together a show that is completely loyal to the books and presents in Titus Welliver a Harry Bosch relentless as a bullet and as complex as a DNA strand,” said Michael Connelly, bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Harry Bosch novels which the pilot is based on. “Whether you know the books or not, you’re going to want to follow this man into his own dark corners as well as those of L.A.”

Amazon’s Primetime Pilots

Bosch
 
Based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling Harry Bosch series and written by Eric Overmyer and Michael Connelly, drama pilot Bosch follows a relentless LAPD homicide detective as he pursues the killer of a 13-year-old boy while standing trial in federal court on accusations that he murdered a suspected serial killer in cold blood. Bosch is played by Titus Welliver (Argo, The Good Wife) and stars Annie Wersching, Amy Price-Francis and Jamie Hector. Henrik Bastin of Fabrik Entertainment (The Killing) produced and Jim McKay directed the pilot.
 
The After
 
Written and directed by Emmy-nominee Chris Carter (The X-Files) executive produced by Marc Rosen of Georgeville Television and produced by Gabe Rotter, The After follows eight strangers who are thrown together by mysterious forces and must help each other survive in a violent world that defies explanation. Aldis Hodge, Andrew Howard, Arielle Kebbel, Jamie Kennedy, Sharon Lawrence, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Adrian Pasdar, and Louise Monot star in the pilot.
 
Mozart in the Jungle
 
Dramatic comedy, Mozart in the Jungle was written by Oscar-nominated writer and director Roman Coppola (Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited), actor and musician Jason Schwartzman (Saving Mr. Banks, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), and Tony-nominated writer and director Alex Timbers (Peter and the Starcatcher). The project is based on the memoir Mozart in the Jungle by Blair Tindall. Mozart in the Jungle is all about sex, drugs—and classical music—and shows that what happens behind the curtains at the symphony can be just as captivating as what happens on stage. Paul Weitz (About a Boy, Admission) directed the pilot and executive produced. Gael Garcia Bernal, Saffron Burrows, Lola Kirke, Malcom McDowell, Bernadette Peters and Peter Vack star.
 
Transparent
 
Written and directed by Emmy-nominee and 2013 Sundance Best Director winner Jill Soloway (Afternoon Delight, Six Feet Under and United States of Tara), Transparent is a darkly comedic story about an LA family with serious boundary issues. In this exploration of sex, memory, gender and legacy, the past and future unravel when a dramatic admission causes everyone’s secrets to spill out. Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Gaby Hoffmann, Amy Landecker and Jay Duplass star in the pilot.
 
The Rebels
 
Written by Jeremy Garelick and Jon Weinbach, sports comedy The Rebels follows Julie Levine (Natalie Zea) after her husband suddenly dies and leaves her as the sole owner of a pro-football team. The Rebels creative team also includes executive producer, Matt Alvarez (Ride Along), musician and actor Ice Cube and Michael Strahan, former football player for the New York Giants and host of Live with Kelly and Michael.

Amazon’s Kids Pilots

Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street
 
Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street is a live-action adventure show created by David Anaxagoras, a first-time writer, discovered through Amazon Studios’ open-door submission process. Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street is a coming-of-age tale that centers around Gortimer, his two best friends Ranger and Mel, and their exploits on Normal Street—an ordinary suburb that has a hint of something magical just beneath the surface. The pilot was directed by Oscar winner Luke Matheny (God of Love, Maron) and guest stars Fionnula Flanagan.
 
Hardboiled Eggheads
 
Hardboiled Eggheads, created by Emmy Award-winner Duane Capizzi (Transformers Prime, Jackie Chan Adventures, Men in Black: The Series) is an animated action-comedy for children ages 6-11. The ultra-precocious bespectacled Kelvin and Miles may look, dress, and speak like typical nerds, but when these two brainiacs suit up in their high-collared white lab coats and protective goggles to battle monsters born of toxic waste, martians lured to Earth, or even killer vegetables, they don’t look and sound so nerdy anymore.
 
The Jo B. & G. Raff Show
 
The Jo B. & G. Raff Show is an animated series created by multiple Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Josh Selig (The Wonder Pets). Created specifically to help teach preschoolers the importance of resolving conflict in constructive ways, The Jo B. & G. Raff Show follows two best friends, Jo B. and G. Raff, hosts of their very own TV show. Each day, just as their show is about to start, Jo B. realizes G. Raff has gone somewhere new and exciting and needs to go find him. Jo B. travels to get G. Raff, but G. Raff always wants to stay and explore. The two friends end up reaching a compromise and singing, “If I give a little and you give a little, together we can meet in the middle!”
 
Maker Shack Agency
 
Maker Shack Agency takes a unique look at the “maker” movement through the adventures of Wolfie, a 13-year-old inventor with grand idea and a motto of “fail forward.” Together with his friends Merle, a tech wizard, and Jo, a girl who can build anything, they create gadgets to help fellow classmates. Wolfie, Merle and Jo use all the branches of science and personal ingenuity to solve problems with a new invention in every episode. Created in conjunction with the think tank Applied Minds and the production company Electus, the pilot was written by Arland DiGirolamo (Sketchy), Geoff Barbanell (Kickin’ It) and directed by Alex Winter (Ben 10, Downloaded) and features original music from Dr. Dog.
 
Wishenpoof!
 
Written by Angela Santomero, creator of Blue’s Clues, Creative Galaxy, and the Emmy-nominated literacy series, Super Why!, Wishenpoof! is an animated pilot that revolves around Bianca, who has “wish magic” which means if she wishes to play under the sea then — Wishenpoof! — she’s a mermaid, swimming around with the sea horses. Bianca uses her wish magic to help others and learns to solve life’s problems in her own creative way because with magic, or without, we all have the power to make good choices. This is Santomero’s second Amazon Studios pilot. Santomero’s first pilot, Creative Galaxy, is currently in production and scheduled to be available on Prime Instant Video in 2014.
 
Source: Amazon Studios
 
-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Dakota Johnson ‘ELLE’ Photos – ‘Fifty Shades’ Anastasia

By
Rebecca Murray
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Dakota Johnson Sexy Elle Photo Shoto
Dakota Johnson posing for ELLE in a Bandeau Jason Wu Bandeau top, Missoni skirt, Prabal Gurung PVC belt, Donna Karan Signature Collection thigh highs, and Christian Louboutin pumps (Phot Credit: Carter Smith)

ELLE caught up with 24-year-old Dakota Johnson whose first major starring role in a feature film is getting a lot of attention. Johnson stars as Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey, the big screen adaptation of the bestselling mommy porn book series, which finds an innocent young woman caught up in a sexual relationship with a billionaire who has unusual sexual proclivities. And in addition to her sexy ELLE photo shoot, Johnson (daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) spoke to ELLE’s Stephen Rodrick about taking on the lead role in the much-anticipated release:

Dakota Johnson on having the chops and sexual honesty needed for the role of Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey:

“I don’t have any problem doing anything. The secret is I have no shame.”

On what interested her most while reading Fifty Shades of Grey:

“Reading the book, I found myself more interested in the ways they were breaking each other down emotionally than the sex scenes. I think there’s a part of a woman that wants to be the thing that breaks a man down.”

Dakota Johnson on what it’s really like to grow up having famous parents:

“I think people, especially the press, like to pick on children of famous people, and I think that’s f**king awful. Things get made up. It’s so, so sad. And there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it as a 16-year-old. You’re like….Why? What did I do?”

The ELLE issue featuring Dakota Johnson on the cover, along with the interview, hits newsstands on February 18, 2014. It will be available for download digitally on February 11th.

Dakota Johnson on the ELLE Cover
Dakota Johnson graces the cover of ELLE wearing a John Galliano dress, Donna Karan Signature Collection thigh highs, and Manolo Blahnik sandals (Photo Credit: Carter Smith)
Dakota Johnson from Fifty Shades ELLE Photo Shoot
Dakota Johnson wears a DSQUARED coat, Narciso Rodriguez skirt, Donna Karan Signature Collection thigh highs, and Christian Louboutin pumps in this ELLE photo (Photo Credit: Carter Smith)

Dakota Johnson from Fifty Shades ELLE Photo Shoot
Dakota Johnson poses in a Burberry Prorsum trench coat, Burberry Prorsum sandals, and Donna Karan Signature Collection thigh highs in this ELLE photo (Photo Credit: Carter Smith)




Remember When Jimmy Fallon Staged His Own Version of ‘Lost’?

By
Rebecca Murray
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Jimmy Fallon is wrapping up his gig as host of Late Night and as he prepares to take over The Tonight Show he’s been looking back at his favorite Late Night skits and songs. His latest blast from the past is the Lost parody, Late, in which 12 strangers wind up trying to survive on a floor of 30 Rock.

@fallonathome A look back at the epic Late Night Digital Original, "Lost," which changed the lives of twelve strangers who ended up on a deserted floor of 30 Rock. #FallonFlashback #FlashbackFriday #jimmyfallon #conanobrien #funny #latenight #thebestof #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #fypシ #viral ♬ original sound – The Best of Jimmy Fallon

Carlos Ponce Says a ‘Pirate’s Life is for Him

By
Rebecca Murray
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Carlos Ponce
Carlos Ponce joins ‘The Pirate Fairy’ (Photo by: Pipe Jaramillo © 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc)

The voice cast of Disneytoon Studios’ The Pirate Fairy has expanded by one. Singer/songwriter/actor Carlos Ponce will be lending his voice to the character of ‘Bonito’ – a sensitive pirate – in the family-friendly film.

Here’s the description of Bonito, courtesy of the studio: “Serving as rigger alongside James and Zarina in the film, the huge Spaniard can throw a harpoon a hundred yards. But Bonito is quite passionate about sewing, not only the ship’s sails but also applying dainty double-stitched seams to his fairy captain’s tiny outfits. The swashbuckling new adventure about an ambitious, but misunderstood dust-keeper fairy who joins forces with a band of pirates sets sail April 1, 2014.”

Directed by Peggy Holmes, the voice cast also includes Tom Hiddleston, Christina Hendricks, Mae Whitman, Megan Hilty, Lucy Liu, Raven-Symoné, and Anjelica Huston.

The Plot:

The Pirate Fairy charts a course for the most exciting Disney Fairies adventure ever! When a misunderstood dust-keeper fairy named Zarina steals Pixie Hollow’s all-important Blue Pixie Dust, and flies away to join forces with the pirates of Skull Rock, Tinker Bell and her fairy friends must embark on the adventure of a lifetime to return it to its rightful place. However, in the midst of their pursuit of Zarina, Tink’s world is turned upside down. She and her friends find that their respective talents have been switched and they have to race against time to retrieve the Blue Pixie Dust and return home to save Pixie Hollow.




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