“We used the technology of today to re-imagine it,” producer Don Hahn said about the re-release of the Walt Disney classic animated movie The Lion King 3D on September 16, 2011. “We began it by starting in levels.”
Levels that will have you flying along side the birds in the sky or feeling trapped beneath the hooves of a herd of stampeding animals in the Disney film that broke box-office records during its initial release in 1994. That success has resulted in the long-running Broadway musical, “The Lion King.”
On September 16, 2011 The Lion King is back in theatres in 3D for a limited two weeks run with the original voice-over actors and Oscar winning music.
“We searched for a sound in the voice and accent we thought would work,” said actor Robert Guillaume, who is the voice Rafiki— the wise old baboon. “That was a two week process. I’m amazed at the strength and long legs of the piece— that it can keep going. I still think its one of the great stories.”
The Lion King is a love story between a father and son that centers on the concept that there is a “circle of life.” It follows the life of Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas). He is manipulated by Uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons) as a cub and goes into exile. Wanting to sit on Simba’s father’s throne, Uncle Scar forces young Simba to leave his mother and his best girl pal Nala (Niketa Calame).
While in exile, he befriends a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warthog sidekick, Pumbaa. After a chance meeting with Nala who is all grown-up, Simba is determined to return home and reclaim his place since the death of his father King Mufasa (James Earl Jones). In order to do this, he first has to get through Uncle Scar and his henchmen hyenas Shenzi (Whoopi Goldberg), Banzai (Cheech Marin) and Ed (Jim Cummings).
“I always wanted to do voice-over,” said actor Jim Cummings (The Princess and the frog) when asked about his work on the animated film. “I remember Jack Benny he said he does ‘the voice.’ I was thinking his mom not hollering at him maybe I’ll go that way too.”
The Lion King will be released on HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on October 4, 2011,
Seven-time Grammy nominee Joe Thomas releases new album, “The Good, The Bad, The Sexy,” on September 27, 2011
Kedar Entertainment is set to release the ninth studio album of seven-time Grammy Award nominee Joe Thomas titled “The Good, The Bad, The Sexy” on September 27, 2011. The album has already released a music video for the cut “Losing” and the current single, “Dear Joe,” was the #1 most added song on R&R this week.
“It’s a good collection of music,” Joe Thomas said about the new project. “[And] another good album.”
Thomas’ music is best known for his signature songs “All The Things Your Man Won’t Do” and “Don’t Wanna Be A Player,” especially the remix that features Big Punisher. This new project offers 11 cuts with producers including: Osinachi Nwaneri, Brandon “BAM” Alexander, Gerald ‘Nasty Twin” Isaac & Brennan “Epic” Gragston, Anthony L. Saunders and The Ambassadorz.
“It didn’t take long,” Thomas said when asked the time it took to record the project. “I was working with new producers— young producers who are hungry and eager.”
“It’s about growing and [the] experiences of life,” Thomas pointed out about what the album offers. “Without challenges, you can’t grow.”
Eunice Moseley is a syndicated entertainment columnist. For more Pulse of Entertainmant, visit www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com.