A Look Back 

July 24th marks the 39th anniversary of New Orleans Square at Disneyland. At the time Walt Disney commented that the area cost more that the entire Louisiana Purchase.  Of course now with Imagineering's prices $18 million can't even buy you a toilet seat.

 

The same day marks the 20th anniversary of The Black Cauldron.  Ah, the Black Cauldron. . .you knew the film was going to be bad when Roy Disney dropped his name to an "additional voices" credit.

 

In the World of Film
Last week the Island blew everyone away by being one of the bigger bombs we've had this summer.  This weekend the new films Stealth, Sky High and Must Love Dogs have their work cut out for them.  Stealth looks like a mediocre thriller at best and early reaction hasn't been that great.  Currently the film holds a disastrous 10% at Rotten Tomatoes and the lack of star power will keep the movie at low levels.  Must Love Dogs is an attempt to capture the romantic flick crowd, but it honestly doesn't seem to be building much steam.  The standout seems to be Sky High a fairly accessible and striking family offering from Disney.  The film is getting good reviews and even with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory there is a void for more family friendly entertainment.  I'm going out on a limb a little bit here but I think Sky High will win the weekend.

 

#1  - Sky High $21 million
#2  - Wedding Crashers $19 million
#3  - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory $17.5 million
#4  - Stealth $16.5 million
#5  - Must Love Dogs $15 million
#6  - Fantastic Four $7 million
#7  - The Island $6 million
#8  - Bad News Bears $5.5 million
#9  - War of the World $5.5 million
#10 - March of the Penguins $4.5 million

 

If it was a Disney film. . . March of the Penguins would feature a stirring narration by Winston Hibler and begin with a paint brush drawing an iceberg.