Special Events
Star Wars is growing up more
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has released new artwork for the Star Wars-themed land being constructed at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. The new artist rendering shows the intriguing spaceport on a never-before-seen planet in the Star Wars galaxy. The 14-acre land will be the largest-ever single-themed land expansion at the Disneyland Resort. (Disney Parks/Lucasfilm)
Frozen opens new show
Tex & Photo By: Courtesy Disney
“Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” officially opens today at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif.! This theatrical interpretation for the stage immerses audiences in the story of Anna and Elsa with stunning special effects, elaborate costumes and sets and show-stopping production numbers. Guests will experience the world of “Frozen” in a whole new way.
“Circus Vargas” will surprise with lighting and flashy stuff on stage
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos Alfonso De Elias
Circus Vargas presents Iluminous, an all-new, high-energy extravaganza that illuminates the wonders of modern life and the imagination of every child at heart. Read more
“The New Revolution” is now in 3D
By Jenny A.
Video & Photos by Alfonso De Elias
The New Revolution is a steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.
New Stage Musical ‘Frozen – Live at the Hyperion’ Opens May 27, 2016, at Disney California Adventure Park
By Disney Courtesy
Photos: Agency
Today, we’re thrilled to tell you that “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” the new musical adaptation based on Disney’s blockbuster animated film, will officially open at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park on May 27, 2016. Read more
Holyday in the park Six Flags 2015
By GTVW Staff
Photos by Alfonso De Elias
The park was turned into a Holiday wonderland for Christmas. Holiday in the Park will feature an enormous Christmas tree and loads of festive decorations.The idea was so good that this can be my alternate for the Osborne lights. The park is very well-maintained, the bathrooms were always clean and the Christmas decoration was outstanding. Good variety of places to eat, too. Organizers were very kind with Media. Here are some of the most highlights to enjoy.
View millions of dazzling lights and decorations.
Twinkling lights will add brightness and beauty to the night. Millions of colorful LEDs wrap around attractions, line rooftops on our buildings, and hang from trees. Thousands of lights full of happiness.
Experience exclusive family attractions.
Families will enjoy our seasonal winter attractions and themed areas. Each section of the park has a different theme to represent the best delights of the season. Take in the scents in Peppermint Plaza, snuggle up under Merry Mistletoe, and warm up next to toasty fire pits in some places.
Sit back and enjoy a festive holiday show.
Your favorite holiday hits come to life with festive shows and carolers. Sing and dance along to your favorite classic songs of the season. Each show has a different storyline with different styles of holiday music, ranging from classical to pop to country. Catch live carolers and strolling entertainment, listen to the sounds of local talent, and more.
Definitely a place for teenagers and adults for the best of this season.
Time to be scared by spooky characters at Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
Review and photos by Jenny Alvarez
In a special and warmest opening night of the 7th Annual Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, visitors enjoyed since the beginning and one of the best mazes with a cart pulled by a tractor. The cart is open, so monsters will get very close and your back is facing the outside and many of them were walking around the hayride.
2. Trick Or Treat: Within a tent, you walk past a series of 8 doors (all of them full of scary surprises), two of which give you candy.
3. The House of Shadows: Another walk through where visitors are pulsed through a series of the best haunted house sets ever conceived, populated by a cast with great performances.
4. The In-Between: Black walls, strobe lights, and clowns. A maze in which you will be sent through a maze that wears out its welcome just as its getting started, leading to lots of different emotions, with the exception of any positive ones.
People feel really haunted. In general all the characters were well organized with good make up, costumes of the characters and talented actors who really can scare you, this means extra fun for the rest of the night with really cool experience you got scared entertained and had a great time with friends on whoever you want to be.
Scary creatures and spooky characters were at the Queen Mary's Dark Harbor 2015 on opening night
By Jenny Alvarez
Photos Alfonso De Elias
The crew of Dark Harbor, led by production designer and art director J.J. Wickham have been at the Queen Mary, Long Beach since 2011. In a special and warmest opening night of The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor horror mazes. The scary Mary, were looking for playmates in the new Lullaby maze at Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor annual Halloween event. Legend has it that Mary has haunted the ship since her drowning in the pool room in 1952. Dark Harbor runs from Oct. 1 thru Nov. 1.
Onto the mazes people will enjoy 6 different mazes such: Voodoo Village, Soulmate, B340, Deadrise, Lullaby, and Circus and other shrieking attractions. They are all very creative and long especially for the main mazes that people are able to go to so people are really spread out much. Although Lullaby and Soulmate can be a little too long and take up a lot of time inside but the action is much better. The three mazes on the ship were the best because of the extra ambiance and people feel really haunted. In general all the characters were well organized with good make up, costumes of the characters and talented actors who really can scare you, this means extra fun for the rest of the night.
Spooky, dark, twisted, interactive and funny for the 43rd annual Knott’s Scary Farm
By GTVW Staff
Photos By Alfonso De Elias
The legendary Knott’s Scary Farm will have the sets more amazing and interactive than ever during the 43rd annual Knott’s Scary Farm. During the event visitors will investigate a haunted hospital in the groundbreaking new maze, PARANORMAL, INC. Attempt to escape the icy grasp of the chilling Snow Queen in The Dead of Winter, and more.
With 11 haunted attractions and 1,000 monsters lurking in the fog, the groundbreaking new maze, PARANORMAL, INC. Escape the icy grasp of the chilling Snow Queen in The Dead of Winter. Select nights September 24 – October 31.
Haunted Attractions, Scare Zones and Show Information
Three new terrifying attractions will debut this year, with more astounding special effects and richer back stories than ever, including:
PARANORMAL, INC. – Case #1 – The Haunting of Hayden Hill (New for 2015): Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, in the groundbreaking new maze, guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff hunt for new patients to torture.
My Bloody Clementine (New for 2015): There is no tale more vicious and vengeful than that of My Bloody Clementine. Take a grim ride through the Calico Mine where Clementine and her father were brutally murdered centuries ago.
The Dead of Winter (New for 2015): Escape the icy grasp of the chilling Snow Queen in the all new maze. Backed by with a ravenous beastly army of resurrected Viking warriors, she is hell bent on avenging her beloved family’s murder, and preys upon any unsuspecting visitors who enter the borders of her icy domain. Guests with a Skeleton Key will have the opportunity to unlock a bone chilling surprise.
Returning Favorites
Back by overwhelming demand, guests can enlist to fight the zombie apocalypse in an all-out war against the undead in the interactive experience, Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero. In 2014, the ambitious new attraction was the first of its kind in North America and in 2015 continues to be the largest infestation of zombies nationwide. In 2015, the highly sought-after attraction will include more blood thirsty zombies, new missions, brand new high-tech laser guns, and more.
Special Ops: Infected – Patient Zero seamlessly integrates interactive gaming technology with an immersive mountainous landscape, delivering a breakthrough interactive haunted experience that is as terrifying as it is challenging. Missions lead by brave Squad Leaders will take guests through a variety of wilderness terrains, including the unpredictable barrel bridges across the rushing river, through the dark caverns, and through mysterious backwoods. Groups must work together to fend off zombies and complete various missions before time runs out. Six acres of the theme park is now home to mutinous, scream-inducing zombies, and the time has come for a harrowing Special Ops survival mission (limited spaces available).
Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, returns to Knott’s Scary Farm in a spectacular all new show, Elvira’s Asylum, featuring insane dance and comedy performances.
Black Magic: Houdini’s vengeful spirit continues to wreak havoc on the Faux Theater, where the veil between the living and the dead is severed. Houdini’s ghost comes alive and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes, only to finally meet Houdini in a show-stopping finale.
Forevermore: Follow the destruction of the “Forevermore Killer,” one haunting tale after another, as the slayer makes his way through one of the longest mazes ever created in Knott’s Scary Farm’s history. With a Skeleton Key, guests can witness the work of the Forevermore Killer firsthand.
The Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises: Deadly howls and a full blood moon mark your impending doom as werewolves overrun the crime stricken old west town. Walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path of retribution against the Skinwalkers.
Pinocchio Unstrung: Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, but Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters.
The Tooth Fairy: This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and new this year, an all-new Skeleton Key room.
Trick-or-Treat: Take a brave step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell…trick or treat, which will it be? After surviving her grisly welcome, wander into the Green Witch’s never before seen potion room and bewitched attic.
Voodoo – Order of the Serpent: The haunting legend of Papa Legba continues as guests follow him on his foreboding journey to conjure the serpent demon goddess in the outskirts of New Orleans. Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes.
The Hanging®: A live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year.
160 Acres of Scare Zones
Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.
Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously startling sliders, who lunge from in every fog-filled corner of the land. Fiesta De Los Muertos fuses dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone. It’s the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos. On the Boardwalk clowns crave your undying attention in the CarnEVIL scare zone.
October is one of the favorite months of crowd, and this year at Knott’s Scary Farm will have one of the best Halloween events.
FICG is the best appreciation, promotion and distribution of Mexican and Ibero-American films
By GTVW Staff
Photos By: Alfonso De Elias
The Guadalajara International Film Festival is a week-long film festival held in Los Angeles at Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fifth year and runs from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30.The festival is considered the most prestigious film festival in Latin America and among the most important Spanish language film festivals in the world. The festival is the premier showcase for new work from Mexican and international independent filmmakers.
FICG in LA will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim with the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema. Eugenio Derbez will receive the Tree of Life award in representation of the Derbez dynasty. Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero (Best Art Direction, Pan Labyrinth), Ofelia Medina (Mexican actress), Josep Parera (Entertainment Editor La Opinion) and LPB (Latino Public Broadcasting) will also receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero-American culture.
13 Feature and documentary films and 12 short films will be showcased in this year’s festival.
Opening Night Gala – August 28, 2015
MESSI, Dir. Álex de la Iglesia (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
Closing Night Gala – August 30, 2015
Ciudad Delirio, Dir. Chus Gutiérrez (Colombia, 2014, 100 min., L.A. Premiere)
Special Events:
• KIDS GALA: EL JEREMÍAS (JEREMY) Dir. Anwar Safa (Mexico, 2015, US Premiere)
• MAGUEY (LGBT) GALA: MADE IN BANGKOK Dir. Flavio Florencio (México – Alemania, 2015, US Premiere)
• ART, HEALTH & HEALING SPECIAL SCREENING: JUANICAS
Dir. Karina García Casanova (Mexico – Canada, 2015, US Premiere)
and La Teta de Botero, Dir. Humberto Busto, Mexico (short film)
• HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL SCREENING: LA PRENDA (The Pawn)
Dir. Jean-Cosme Delaloye (Guatemala – Suiza, 2014, Sneak Preview) in Association with the Mill Valley Film Festival.
• FREE SCREENING: LA ONCE (Tea Time) –Dir. Maite Alberti (Chile, 2014)
Other Feature Films
El PATRÓN, RADIOGRAFÍA DE UN CRIMEN (THE BOSS, ANATOMY OF A CRIME)
Dir. Sebastián Schindel (Argentina, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
HBO Latino presents – HEROES COTIDIANOS – “El cometa”
Dir. Alejandra Sánchez (Mexico, 2014, Sneak Preview)
IXCANUL Dir. Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala – France, 2015, Sneak Preview)
LOREAK (FLOWERS) Dir. Jon Garaño, José Mari Goenaga (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)
POCHA (Manifest Destiny) Dir. Michael Dwyer (USA – Mexico, 2015)
QUE VIVA LA MUSICA (LIVEFOREVER)
Dir. Carlos Moreno (Colombia -Mexico, 2015, L.A Premiere)
Short Films
MEXICAN ANIMATED SHORTS SHOWCASE & PANEL (in chronological order)
Como preparar un sandwich (How to Prepare a Sandwich) Dir. Rigo Mora
Hasta Los Huesos (Down to the Bones) Dir. René Castillo
Jacinta Dir. Karla Castañeda
Jaulas (Cages) Dir. Juan José Medina
Prita Noire (Black Doll) Dir. Sofía Carrillo
La Casa Triste (The Sad House) Dir. Sofia Carrillo
La Noria (The Waterwheel) Dir. Karla Castaneda
Lluvia en los Ojos (Rain in the Eyes) Dir. Rita Basulto
Zimbo (Zimbo) Dir. Rita Basulto & Juan Jose Medina
Shorts Before Features
ELLA (Her) Dir. Ximena Urrutia (Mexico, 2014, 23 min)
MESTIZO, Dir. Talon Gonzalez (USA, 2014, 10 min.)
LA TETA DE BOTERO, Dir. Humberto Busto (Mexico, 2015, 18 min., US Premiere)
The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.
Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2
• Angelica, Dir. Marisol Gómez-Mouakad, Puerto Rico/USA
• Dementia (Demencia), Dir. Jose Luís Valenzuela, Mexico/USA
• Lupe under the Sun (Lupe bajo el sol), Dir. Rodrigo Reyes, Mexico/USA
• No Dresscode Required (Etiqueta no rigurosa), Dir. Cristina Herrera Borquez, Mexico/USA
• Looking at the Stars (Olhando pras estrelas), Dir. Alexandre Peralta, Nicaragua/Brazil/USA
• Omar & Gloria (Omar y Gloria), Dir. Jimmy Cohen, Mexico/Canada
