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August 4, 2009

Disney Train Tour stops at Dallas Aug. 18-19



This summer, visitors of all ages from cities coast to coast will experience for free the magic behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” in this once-in-a-lifetime attraction. “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” is a thrilling, multi-sensory movie directed by Robert Zemeckis that takes the classic Dickens tale to the big screen like never before. The movie opens nationwide Nov. 6, 2009.

Traveling more than 16,000 miles, the train will pass through 36 states, hitting cities like Chicago, Ill., Albuquerque, N.M., Portland, Ore., Fargo, N.D., Sacramento, Calif., Houston, Kansas City, Mo., Louisville, Ky., Jacksonville, Fla., Philadelphia, Pa., Albany, N.Y., and Charleston, S.C. (A complete list can be found at www.christmascaroltraintour.com).

The Train Tour rolls into Dallas this Aug. 18-19, offering visitors an exclusive 3D sneak peek from the movie as well as a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the making of the movieówith artifacts and character designs housed in real train cars. The fun family event is totally free. From 9 a.m., until 7 p.m. both days, the mood around Dallas’ Union Station at 401 S. Houston St., is frenetic.

To launch the event, Disney Studios presented a check for $100,000 to Boys and Girls Club of America. Additionally, Boys and Girls Club kids from each city will take part in special activities.

Visitors will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the magic, the spectacle and the cutting-edge technology of ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol.’ Four train cars will showcase immersive and interactive experiences, including:

• A first glimpse of the movie’s character development and character design.

• Artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum in London, England, including a first edition of “A Christmas Carol,” a portrait of Charles Dickens, his original writing tools and original letters written by Charles Dickens from his visits to the United States

• An inside look at the cutting-edge performance capture technique used to create the film.

• Interactive kiosks where guests can explore Dicken’s London and morph their face into characters from the movie using HP TouchSmart PCs, and guests will receive an email with links to download their face morph images for free exclusively from Walmart.com Photo.

• At every tour stop, Radio Disney will invite kids to enter for a chance to become a Movie Surfer representing their hometown. Each Hometown Movie Surfer will get a chance to appear on Disney Channel by filming their very own Movie Surfer’s segment! They’ll also receive a prize package of exclusive Movie Surfer and “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” gear.

• Disney will hire locally in every stop to support the tour, fulfilling positions such as guest control, carolers and docents.

Visitors will also be the first to see an exclusive sneak peek of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” in Disney Digital 3D inside a state-of-the-art 48-foot-wide, 3D theatre — the first inflatable 3D theatre ever to go across the country — which will be erected onsite in each city. Dolby Laboratories is supplying its Dolby® 3D Digital Cinema solution for the traveling Digital 3D theater and Barco is providing the DP2000 digital projectors.

Snow will “fall” in each of the 40 cities throughout this summertime event. The winter wonderland will be complete with holiday decor and Christmas carolers.

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Entertainment Realm
  • Disney Train Tour stops at Dallas Aug. 18-19

    August 4, 2009

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    Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment Division had released “Imagination Movers Warehouse Mouse Edition to video retail and rental outlets in early May.

    Scott, Smitty, Dave and Rich, the “Imagination Movers,” are a lot of fun to watch. The colorful set, constant motion, and energetic music make it a shoo-in for the preschool set. The guys genuinely seem to be enjoying themselves, and I’m pretty sure the kids can sense it. This is not one of the best educational films, but it is truly entertaining and will get children up and dancing. While geared for younger children, our oldest son generally didn’t mind watching the film from time to time.

    July 7, 2009

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    “The Tale of Despereaux” is a DVD worth watching, especially withe kids. I reviewed the Blu—Ray release.

    This release has a lot of heart.

    It’s a story about courage, about being okay with being different and about seeing beyond how others want you to be.

    I watched this with my 6-soon-to-be-7-year-old granddaughter. We both loved it.

    “The Tale of Despereaux” is a multi-level experience

    April 14, 2009

  • NCTC dance department to unveil 'Revolution' “Revolution—a dynamic mix of sound and movement” is how the Department of Dance at North Central Texas College is billing its upcoming spring concert on April 27.

    The event, open at no charge to the general public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage of the First State Bank Center for the Performing Arts (FSB Center) on the Gainesville Campus.

    The concert program will feature members of the performance dance classes at NCTC from both the Gainesville and Corinth campuses and will center around dance presentations they have been working on during the semester under the direction of instructors Meghan Cardwell-Wilson and Karen MacIntyre.

    April 14, 2009

  • "A Heroes Welcome" movie review The Story of Our Heroes and the Town that Stood Up to Honor Them was to tell the stories of both the Medal of Honor Recipients and the city with the only Medal of Honor Host City Program in America: Gainesville.

    April 2, 2009

  • "Mortal Justice" takes a swipe at criminal justice system Suspects don’t give false confessions, right?

    Don’t be so sure.

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    March 30, 2009

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    Of course, while there are only 6 episodes, they are divided into 26 shows.

    If you’re a Dr. Who fan you should get it if only for that reason. Even if you’re not though, there are some valid reasons to watch these slices of the longest running science fiction series in the world.

    March 20, 2009

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    The first season of the violent fantasy/adventure/rock fest is for sale on DVD now, and will probably find its niche with younger adults.

    Anyone over 30 will likely find it distasteful.

    When I first watched an episode of the series in 2007 with my son Trevor — who swore it was hilarious — I couldn’t help laughing.

    Metalocalypse is typical Adult Swim fare.

    February 24, 2009

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    I have to admit, I kinda-sorta wish there were a group like the Karma Police — I would love knowing that not only would I get my reward — or punishment — after I died, but I would get it now.

    February 24, 2009