Disney Interactive Is Game For "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"

Disney Interactive Studios reports the release of "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" video game, inspired by the feature "The Sorcerer’s Apprentice" from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, now available in North American retail outlets exclusively for Nintendo DS.

"...'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice' is an action-packed arcade video game that casts players in the role of 'Dave', the powerful sorcerer’s apprentice. In a world filled with fantastical quests and magical combat, Dave joins a mystical fight against the ultimate evil. Players will encounter evil sorcerers who have escaped from their centuries-old prison, the 'Grimhold' and have taken over New York City.

"Legendary master sorcerer 'Balthazar' is trapped in the magical realm, so it is up to players to save New York. Guided by Balthazar, players travel throughout New York and the magical realm using special portals in order to defeat the enemy. They must master the elements of sorcery using magical attacks and spells to defeat the six evil sorcerers and their army of minions in order to free Manhattan..."

"'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice' video game allows fans to interact with the magical elements of the film," said Craig Relyea, senior vp, global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "The game provides a fun, challenging experience in which players can take on the role as the sorcerer’s apprentice and use their own hands to cast magical spells and attacks to defeat their enemies.”

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" video game...

Pam Anderson: All Animals Have The Same Parts

Canadian celebrity Pamela Anderson has been informed that Montreal city officials have refused the actress/model a permit to officially launch her new vegetarian campaign poster for PETA, featuring the former "Baywatch" star wearing a bikini, with butchers' cuts of meat printed over sections of her body.

In an e-mail letter to Anderson, Montreal dignitaries felt the ad was 'sexist':

"I have to inform you that we, as public officials representing a municipal government, cannot endorse this image of Ms Anderson", said City Commissioner Josee Rocheford. "It is not so much controversial as it goes against all principles public organizations are fighting for in the everlasting battle of equality between men and women. We therefore will not give you a permit to hold your event on Place Jacques-Cartier..."

"In a city that is known for its exotic dancing and for being progressive and edgy, how sad that a woman would be banned from using her own body in a political protest over the suffering of cows and chickens," said Anderson.

"I didn't think that Canada would be so puritanical..."

Click the images to enlarge... 

Burton Stakes Out Depp's "Dark Shadows"

Director Tim Burton's feature adaptation of the 1960's gothic horror TV series "Dark Shadows" will start shooting January 2011, based on a fresh take by writer Seth Grahame-Smith ("Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"), who will rewrite a previous screenplay by John August.

Actor Johnny Depp and his production company Infinitum-Nihil, will produce the film, in association with Warner Bros.

"Dark Shadows", created by Dan Curtis, originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The story 'bible' for the show was written by Art Wallace.

The series became popular a year into its run, with the introduction of Canadian actor Jonathan Frid, playing 200-year old vampire 'Barnabas Collins' who encounters other vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel and a parallel universe.

Writer Malcolm Marmorstein, who specifically created the character of Collins, also created characters 'Sam Hall', 'Gordon Russell' and 'Violet Welles'.

The TV series often used classic stories with gothic themes, giving them an unusual twist, including "Dracula", "Frankenstein", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", "The Picture of Dorian Gray", "The Turn of the Screw" and "Wuthering Heights", freely borrowing prose from authors Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry James and H. P. Lovecraft, while exploring the history of the 'Collins' family.

Collins was originally the object of desire, circa 1795, for the witch 'Angelique Bouchard' who invoked a vampiric curse upon him. In the present day, Collins is released from his coffin by 'Willie Loomis', whereby the vampire kidnaps waitress 'Maggie Evans', believed to be the reincarnation of his lost love 'Josette du Pres'.

The original music score for the series, by Robert Cobert, entered the Billboard top 20 national album chart in 1969. The spoken-word instrumental track "Quentin's Theme", earning Cobert a Grammy nomination, was recorded by the Charles Randolph Grean Sounde. The single peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969.

1,225 episodes of "Dark Shadows" were produced during its TV run, with a feature film released in 1970.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Dark Shadows"...

Canada's Ryan Reynolds As "Green Lantern"

Sneak Peek Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds in the DC Comics film comic book adaptation "Green Lantern", as featured in "Entertainment Weekly".

In other "GL" news, ABC affiliate ABC26 WGNO, New Orleans, recently went behind the scenes on director Martin Campbell's film set, for Day 80 of the upcoming superhero live-action, 3D feature adaptation.

"Green Lantern" stars Reynolds as test pilot 'Hal Jordan' who is given cosmic powers to become Earth's "Green Lantern" superhero, with the ability to transmute 'green energy' into solid mass.

According to director Campbell some of the 'alien' comic book characters set to appear in the film will include 'Kilowog', "Tomar-Re', 'Abin-Sur' and the villain 'Sinestro'.

'Carol', Hal Jordan's girlfriend is played by actress Blake Lively.

"All the main characters are there," said Campbell. "And it's a complex story."

"The origin story of Green Lantern is complex, probably one of the most complex, which makes it a challenge to get it right..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Green Lantern"...

Mimoco MIMOBOTS Plug Into Tradeshow Circuit

Mimoco, noted for its collection of "MIMOBOT" designer USB flash drives, hits the road this summer for stops along their annual tradeshow circuit including the just wrapped Taipei Toy Festival (July 8-11), San Diego Comic Con (July 21-25), and Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando (August 12-15).

In celebration of Mimoco's 5th anniversary, the company will present all new, exclusive MIMOBOT designs to attendees of the tradeshows.

At the Taipei Toy Festival in Taiwan, Mimoco drops their latest entry in the MIMOBOT Artist Series called 'Monster Molly' MIMOBOT. The design is a three-way collaboration between Mimoco, Monster Taipei (organizers of the Taipei Toy Festival) and Kenny Wong, the Hong Kong-based designer of Kennyswork and the pioneering designer toy collective, Brothersfree. . ” The show exclusive was available in a limited edition of 500 units.

At San Diego Comic Con and Star Wars Celebration V, Mimoco will make available their first MIMOBOT dedicated to the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back", the 'Lobot' MIMOBOT. The dual tradeshow exclusive, a limited edition run of 1,000 units, joins Mimoco’s ongoing "Star Wars" MIMOBOT Series.

"...The mute 'Lobot' was the chief administrative aide to 'Baron Administrator Lando Calrissian' on 'Cloud City', over the planet 'Bespin'. His brain was connected to the city's central computer, allowing him to communicate directly with the city's computer network..."

Now 'Star Wars' fans can connect Lobot MIMOBOT’s brain to their computer via USB, available in 2GB to 16GB capacities at Mimoco’s two San Diego’s Comic Con booths in the "Star Wars Pavilion" July 21st through 25th, and at their "Star Wars Celebration V" booth, August 12th - 15th in Orlando.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek Mimoco's MIMIOBOTS ...

"Rocky & Bullwinkle" - Season 4

"Rocky & Bullwinkle" Season 4 will be released by Classic Media August 17th , the first time the fourth season has ever been available on DVD:

Marvel's "Shadowland" In The Spotlight

Sneak Peek the new music video supporting Marvel Comics "Shadowland" #1, by writer Andy Diggle.

"...The battle for the soul of a hero begins! Pushed beyond his limits, 'Daredevil' faces off for a final time against his deadliest foe--'Bullseye'-- in their most brutal battle ever with more than just Hell’s Kitchen at stake. 'Spider-Man', 'Luke Cage', 'Iron Fist', 'Punisher' and a whole lot more join forces to stop a war that is breaking out throughout New York, with Daredevil at the center. This event will change the streets of New York City—and the heroes that protect it—forever..."

Click the image to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Shadowland"...