Entertainment - Lake Wales Daily News

One Movie Later: The Odyssey is an Objectively Good Movie—That I Didn’t Like!

Allison — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:30:00 +0000

One Movie Later: The Odyssey is an Objectively Good Movie—That I Didn’t Like!

by James Coulter

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has remained the center of controversy ever since its announcement. Some folks complained that the armor isn’t “historically accurate.” Others bemoaned that the dialogue sounded “too modern” for a classical epic. And many more voiced their outrage over certain casting choices for…reasons!

And yet, despite the discourse, not only did the movie gross $931 million worldwide (rapidly approaching $1 billion), but it has also become the fifth-highest-grossing film of the year and helped Universal become the first studio to cross $4 billion in 2026. (Then again, Nolan could film a three-hour movie about paint drying, and it would still make bank because he’s Christopher Nolan!)

But does this tale of a man fighting to get home earn a triumphant theatrical homecoming? Or did it drift so far off course that even Odysseus would struggle to spot Ithaca on the horizon?

The Odyssey is an all-too-familiar classic tale. Most of us read it in high school, and it’s been performed by everyone from cartoon aardvarks to talking dogs. A man gets lost at sea on his way home from the Trojan War. Along the way, he and his crew must brave many perils, including a man-eating cyclops, a boat-destroying whirlpool, sirens who lure men to their doom, and a witch who turns men into pigs. Will Odysseus return home safe…is a question no one needs to ask because everyone already knows the story at this point.

The Odyssey is a well-made film. The cinematography offers an audiovisual spectacle, especially since it is the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX film. The movie features a star-studded cast of A-list actors whose performances prove they earned their roles. And Christopher Nolan, as always, proves himself to be a masterful director. By all accounts, this movie is objectively good.

And yet, I don’t like it!

To be sure, the film delivers several standout moments, especially when it reimagines familiar myth with fresh artistic flair. The cyclops encounter unfolds in near-total darkness, rendering the creature a hulking silhouette that stalks the shadows. Circe’s transformations play as full-on body horror, twisting men into beasts with grotesque physicality, like a potter molding clay. And the sirens’ sequence uses muffled audio to mimic wax-stuffed ears, leaving only Odysseus’s frantic screams barely audible as he begs to be freed from his restraints.

And then there’s the third act, when Odysseus finally returns home and unleashes vengeance on the suitors freeloading in his home. After watching them act like cartoonishly awful human beings for the first two-thirds of the movie, including attacking a blind man and a dog, seeing them mowed down by Odysseus and his allies in the final third is undeniably cathartic.

Yet even with these undeniably interesting moments, the rest of the film feels surprisingly bland. Like so many modern productions, it leans heavily on muted, almost grayish tones that drain the color from what should be a lush, colorful world. And its insistence on gritty realism flattens the mythic grandeur of gods and monsters, making a story built on the fantastic feel oddly ordinary. All of this makes every passing second of this nearly three-hour movie drag on.

And then there’s the acting. As I mentioned earlier, these are A‑list performers who turn in solid work…at least mostly. But if this were your first time seeing Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, or Zendaya on screen, you’d be forgiven for wondering how they ever earned their reputations. Because their performances here are as dry and lifeless as the film’s washed‑out aesthetic. In other words, not their best work.

If you’re a fan of Christopher Nolan or Greek mythology, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this movie. But if you’re looking for a better adaptation of The Odyssey, I’d highly recommend watching the 1997 mini-series. Not only is it a more entertaining watch, but it’s also streaming for free on Tubi. And while I haven’t seen Epic: The Musical, I’ll take everyone else’s word that it’s a better take on The Odyssey than this film.

See this movie if you want…to be sure, it’s a great movie!…but as for me, I might consider eating some lotus to forget the three hours I wasted watching it in theaters.

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Lake Wales Public Library to Kick Off Summer Reading Program with Free Family Event

Allison — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:29:33 +0000

Families are invited to celebrate the start of summer reading at the 2026 Summer Reading Kickoff Party hosted by the Lake Wales Public Library on Thursday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m.

This year’s summer reading theme, “Quest: Heroes, Myths and Legends,” promises an exciting adventure for children and families as they begin their summer reading journey. The free community event will take place at the gazebo in Oakley Park, located across from the library.

Returning by popular demand, the Florida Foam Factory will bring its energetic mix-master DJ and foam-blaster cannon, creating a fun-filled experience for attendees. Kona Ice will also be on site serving refreshing frozen treats.

Organizers encourage families to come prepared with towels and other accessories, as children participating in the foam activities are expected to get wet.

The event is facilitated by the Library’s Youth Services Program and is sponsored by Mountain Lake Community Service, The McCance Foundation, and the Friends of the Library.

The Summer Reading Kickoff Party offers a great opportunity for children to celebrate the beginning of summer while discovering the adventures that await through reading, learning, and imagination.

Flyer courtesy of City of Lake Wales

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One Movie Later: Michael is a Good Biopic, But One That Simplifies a Complicated Musical Legacy

Allison — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:35:44 +0000

One Movie Later: Michael is a Good Biopic, But One That Simplifies a Complicated Musical Legacy

by James Coulter

Michael Jackson was a complicated person with an equally complicated legacy. On one hand, his groundbreaking music and choreography made him a global pop icon; on the other hand, allegations and controversies later in his life would tarnish an otherwise shining legacy.

It’s no surprise, then, that a biopic about his early life and career has sparked an equally complicated response: audiences praise the lead performance for capturing Jackson’s essence, while critics dismiss the film as a glossy, selective tribute.

Nevertheless, Michael opened to record-breaking numbers, earning $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide, making it one of the strongest biopic debuts ever. But did this film deserve the same rise in success as its subject? Or did that success rely solely on spectacle while sanding off the rougher edges of Jackson’s life?

Michael traces the titular musician’s career path from the Jackson 5’s lead singer to a 1980s popstar sensation, framing his rise against the shadow of an overbearing, abusive father. It follows him through punishing rehearsals and childhood beatings, his bold leap into a solo career, and the eventual break that let him define himself on his own terms.

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re expecting a warts-and-all presentation that shows the titular musician’s good, bad, and ugly sides, then this isn’t the movie for you. This biopic focuses solely on his early life and career, making the wise (if not controversial) decision to end the film at the peak of his career in the late-80s, long before the serious accusations against him came to light.

The result is an admittedly glossy (if not sanitized) portrayal of the late musician that, while highlighting the darker aspects of his childhood being raised by an abusive father, still sands off the rougher edges of his life and omits his later controversies and allegations (mostly due to legal reasons), thus allowing the audience to enjoy a “squeaky-clean” presentation of him and his greatest hits. As such, many critics have understandably criticized the film as being a curated “advertisement” for the artist’s songs.

Not helping matters is how the film does little to reinvent the musical biopic, choosing instead to take the safe route of following the regular plot beats and conventions of similar films. Essentially, if you’ve seen Ray, Walk the Line, and Bohemian Rhapsody, you know what to expect from Michael.

Nevertheless, Michael still manages to provide an entertaining look at one of the most entertaining pop stars of the 1980s. Needless to say, if you love Michael Jackson’s music, you are going to love watching this movie, especially with its faithful recreations of his most famous music videos and performances.

Undoubtedly, Jaafar Jackson carries the movie with his performance as the lead role. As the real-life nephew of the titular musician, not only does he manage to look and sound like his late uncle, but he also effortlessly emulates his iconic singing voice and dance moves. I was genuinely surprised when I watched what I assumed to be footage of the original music videos, only to learn it was a recreation for the film!

And while the film may soften and streamline the musician’s life, its simplicity still lands. It shapes an emotionally driven portrait of a young artist enduring his father’s cruelty, then breaking away to become not just a formidable performer, but a fully realized person in his own right. Essentially, the arc plays like a pop‑era Cinderella story fitting for a Disney-obsessed artist.

I enjoyed this movie immensely. It taught me many things I didn’t know about the King of Pop, like how he loved and even owned several exotic animals, like a giraffe and a llama, and how he became one of the first black artists on MTV. (Hard to believe television was still racially segregated even in the 80s!) And as someone who also endured an abusive parent and often sought comfort and refuge in Disney movies and fantasy stories, I especially found myself empathizing with him.

The movie works, it’s genuinely good! But, like its subject, it’s far from flawless. Its most notable flaw is the choice to spotlight only the artist’s brighter chapters while sidestepping the darker turns that defined his later life. Overall, if you love Michael Jackson and his music, you’ll probably love this movie. In fact, it’s most likely that you’ve already watched it, considering how much it made at the box office.

The post One Movie Later: Michael is a Good Biopic, But One That Simplifies a Complicated Musical Legacy first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

One Movie Later: Hoppers—An Unhinged Animated Feature Saved by Its Ending

Allison — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:05:16 +0000

One Movie Later: Hoppers—An Unhinged Animated Feature Saved by Its Ending

by James Coulter

Disney and Pixar are undoubtedly in a creative slump. Recently, they’ve been releasing live-action remakes and animated sequels. Their movie roster for the next year proves that: Toy Story 5, Frozen 3, and live-action Moana. And the blockbuster success of Inside Out 2, Zootopia 2, and the live-action Lilo and Stitch serve to only motivate both studios to stay the course.

So, if there was ever a movie that needed to succeed in provingthat original animated features were still worth making, it would be Hoppers—especially since recent attempts at original movies have flopped hard at the box office: Elio, Elemental, and Strange World.

But can Hoppers succeed where other original animated filmshave failed? Does Hoppers prove to be a good enough movie to prove Disney/Pixar still has one little spark of inspiration to craft new stories? Or will it only inspire the studios to continue regurgitating sequels, spin-offs, and remakes for the foreseeable future?

Hoppers stars Mabel, a young girl with a heart for protecting the environment. Her love of nature was fostered by her grandmother, whose house she visited every day after school, where she spent quality time in the backyard glade. However, by the time she starts attending college, that glade becomes threatened by a highway proposed by an egocentric politician. (Is there any other?)

While trying to rally support to oppose the proposed infrastructure project, Mabel stumbles upon Hoppers, a secret science initiative to transfer human consciousness into animal robots to better observe nature. Mabel jumps at the opportunity to “hop” inside a beaver robot and use it to bring animals back to the glade to halt the highway construction. Will Mabel succeed? Or will paradise be paved to put up a parking lot—or rather, freeway?

I’m going to be honest: I was almost going to write this movie off. And I didn’t want to. I really didn’t. Not an original movie in a box-office landscape drowning in nostalgic corporate slop. If ever there was a time Disney/Pixar needed an original hit, it was now, and it needed to be this movie.

And yet I was so close to marking it as a two-star flick—and that’s a generous rating. Why? Several reasons.

First, it’s a movie with an environmental message. Nothing wrong with that. I love the environment. It should be conserved and protected. But I’m a 90s kid. I grew up with kids’ media shoving pro-environment messages down my throat: Ferngully, Once Upon a Forest, Captain Planet. So, pardon me if a modern version makes me gag a little from reflex.

Second, the messy worldbuilding. The film claims a “real‑world” setting, yet every creature—mammal, bird, fish, insect, even worms—is fully sentient, capable of forming societies, communicating across species, and expressing humanlike emotions. They can talk to each other but not to humans. Why? No reason.

This becomes especially messy once the movie introduces death. Every animal has a name, personality, and inner life, yet they casually eat one another. One of the Pond Rules even states, “When you gotta eat, you gotta eat.” Characters are swallowed mid‑conversation for laughs, and even a major death scene is played as a half‑joke, half‑serious beat, stripping the moment of any emotional weight.

Other talking‑animal films have faced similar questions—The Lion King, for instance, has its own food‑chain paradox—but at least they maintain internal logic and treat death as meaningful. Hoppers never does. Its world asks us to care about characters who don’t seem to care whether anyone lives or dies. Without consequences or emotional stakes, the film’s universe feels hollow, and the audience is left wondering why any of it should matter.

Hoppers leans heavily on meta humor to excuse its flimsy premise, constantly lampshading its own weaknesses. The film openly compares itself to Avatar, has characters question why a beaver wears a paper crown, and even jokes about how a body can function without its consciousness. These winks to the audience aren’t clever; they’re admissions that the story doesn’t make sense, delivered with a shrug instead of an attempt to fix anything.

Like many modern films, Hoppers is steeped in irony poisoning. It treats self‑awareness as a substitute for coherence, having characters point out obvious flaws and tropes as if acknowledging them somehow makes them less distracting. Instead, it highlights how little the movie seems to care about its own world. And again, if the characters don’t care, why should we?

I was so ready, yet so unwilling, to give this movie a bad review—but then the third act saved it.

Yes, Hoppers is one of those rare bad movies that is completely saved by the ending. Sadly, I can’t discuss that ending without spoiling. Let’s just say that the movie takes its absurd premise and completely turns it on its head. The result is an already unhinged movie getting knocked into twelfth gear. The movie starts out with a stupid premise, and then it gets so stupid that it’s stupidly hilarious.

Overall, Hoppers is not a good movie, but it is a stupid movie–so stupid it’s hilarious. It starts with an unhinged premise, and the rest of the movie becomes even more unhinged as it goes along. And you can’t help but both laugh at it and with it. Is it Pixar’s return to form? Probably not. Will kids like it? Most certainly. Does the third act save an otherwise mediocre animated flick? Yes. Unequivocally yes.

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Welcome, World Travelers! New Fast and Furious Coaster Coming to Universal Studios Florida

Allison — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:14:29 +0000

Welcome, World Travelers! New Fast and Furious Coaster Coming to Universal Studios Florida

by James Coulter

Get ready to go on a fast and furious ride on a new roller coaster based on the Fast and Furious movies!

Universal Orlando Resort (UO) recently announced Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-octane roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027.

“Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will put guests in the driver’sseat of the high-speed thrills of Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious universe like never before,” a press release stated.

“Riders will experience the exhilarating sensation of 360-degree drifting as they speed through jaw-dropping maneuvers – including a 170-foot vertical “spike” that will send riders nearly 17 stories in the air over the outskirts of Universal CityWalk,” it continued.

The new attraction will be similar to the roller coaster of the same name set to open on the West Coast at Universal Studios Hollywood later this year.

The ride will be constructed on the former location of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, which closed on Aug. 12, 2025, after nearly 16 years in operation.

Also closing to make way for the new attraction will be Fast & Furious: Supercharged, which first opened at the park in 2018, and will be set to close after nine years in operation.

Based on a similar segment of the Universal Hollywood Tram Tour, the screen-based attraction allowed guests to experience a ride based on the first Fast and Furious film.

The new attraction is being built following a surge of guests to Universal Orlando resorts following the opening of Epic Universe, a 750-acre park with five themed lands, including Super Nintendo World.

Since opening in May 2025, the new park has drawn in 15,000 to 20,000 visitors during its initial summer, setting it on pace for roughly 5.8 to 7.3 million annual visitors.

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Welcome, World Travelers! Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s Expands Timeline

Allison — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:38:55 +0000

Welcome, World Travelers! Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s Expands Timeline
by James Coulter

Visitors to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have been able to meet characters like Rey and Kylo Ren from the new Star Wars movies. They’ll soon be able to meet familiar faces like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from the older movies.

Starting on April 29, 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park in California will expand its timeline to represent more eras from the Star Wars films, including the Original and Prequel trilogies.

“These exciting updates…will enable visitors to experience even more of the eras of Star Wars,” wrote Kelsey Lynch, Senior Manager of Public Relations, on Disney Parks Blog.

“Each era will be brought to life with the same care and attention to detail that the land was originally designed with, masterfully weaving together stories from across time and space in one location,” he continued.

Black Spire Outpost will roll back in time several decades to include characters, props, and even musical scores from the original Star Wars films. Soon, visitors will be able to meet Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker within the Outer Rim outpost. Accentuating that area’s atmosphere will be the beloved scores of the legendary composer John Williams from the first six Star Wars films.

Meanwhile, the forested area outside the marketplace will remain in the era of the prequel films, with characters like Rey and the rest of the Resistance continuing their fight against the First Order.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge first opened in Disneyland Park in California on May 31, 2019, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida on August 29, 2019. Originally, the themed area was set on the fictional planet of Batuu, existing within the timeline of the Star Wars sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker.

At Disney World, the land’s theming was consistent with the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which opened on Mar. 1, 2022. However, since that hotel closed on Sep. 30, 2023, the land has since been undergoing retooling in Disney World and Disneyland.

The first of many changes began when both the Mandalorian and Grogu (affectionately referred to by fans as Baby Yoda) started appearing at Disneyland on Nov. 18, 2022, and at Hollywood Studios in Mar. 2023. Both Mando and Grogu will be appearing in the attraction, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, on May 22, 2026, in both Disneyland and Disney World.

While many of the big changes to the land’s timeline will be coming to Disneyland later this year, only time will tell when these changes will appear at Hollywood Studios.

Regardless of when Galaxy’s Edge will be set in the Star Wars timeline, both lands in Disneyland and Disney World will continue to allow guests to experience fun in a galaxy far, far away.

The post Welcome, World Travelers! Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s Expands Timeline first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

One Movie Later: David Faces off Against the Animation Industry’s Goliath

Allison — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:10:46 +0000

One Movie Later: David Faces off Against the Animation Industry’s Goliath

by James Coulter

Disney’s animated output in the 2020s has stumbled, leaving room for other studios to rise as unexpected Davids against the House of Mouse’s Goliath. Films like Across the Spider‑Verse, The Wild Robot, and K‑Pop Demon Hunters have all taken their swing and won.

Now, another challenger has stepped forward—an indie animated retelling of the Biblical David story, no less!—aiming not only at Disney’s crown but at the towering box‑office force of the Avatar franchise itself.

David didn’t topple Avatar: Fire and Ash, which unsurprisingly surged past the billion‑dollar mark, but it did claim over $71 million domestically, becoming Angel Studios’ highest‑grossing animated release and briefly reigning as the #1 family film.

The question remains: is David truly anointed for box‑office royalty, or must its studio gather a few more stones before it can bring down animation’s modern Goliath?

David follows the Biblical story of its titular character. The young shepherd, David, is anointed to be the future king of Israel. He proves his worth by fighting and slaying the giant Goliath.

However, he’s soon forced to face another challenge when the current king, Saul, becomes jealous of his exploits. Will David rise above this challenge and prove himself worthy to be Israel’s next great king? (Well, if you’ve ever attended Sunday School, you know the answer!)

Throughout my career as a movie reviewer, I’ve reviewed three Angel Studios films, including this one. The other two movies, Sound of Freedom and King of Kings, I considered okay at best, neither bad nor great.

With Angel Studios’ previous animated film, King of Kings, my main criticism was its overly barebones approach to the Gospel story: a brisk, beat‑by‑beat retelling where characters existed only to fulfill their roles, as flat and underdeveloped as cutout figures on a Sunday School felt board.

Thankfully, David succeeds where King of Kings stumbled. By centering the story on its titular hero, the film charts his hero’sjourney from humble shepherd to future king, tracing his character growth from doubting his divine calling to embracing the destiny his God has set before him.

David was animated by Sunrise Animation Studios, a small studio with only a handful of projects to its name. Nevertheless, it delivers an animated film on par with Pixar without leaning on the familiar, overused “Pixar look.” Instead, its characters and world embrace a distinct, stylized aesthetic that leaves a far more memorable impression.

Another of the film’s highlights is its soundtrack. David embraces the classic Disney‑style animated musical, delivering numbers that come surprisingly close to matching the House of Mouse’s iconic musical catalog.

The two best songs, undoubtedly, are “Shalom” and “Follow the Light,” the film’s strongest musical set pieces. While none of the songs are “bad,” a few fall short of their potential. “Tapestry,” for instance, while good, comes across as a less enthusiastic version of The Prince of Egypt’s “Through Heaven’s Eyes.”

Overall, the only thing preventing David from being called the best animated Bible film ever is that The Prince of Egypt already exists and remains an undisputed animated masterpiece. And while David is far from being called a close second to Prince of Egypt’s first, the film does stand as a shining exemplar of an animated Bible movie done right.

While David is not the best animated Bible movie (Prince of Egypt is), or the best animated film of 2025 (K-Pop Demon Hunters is), or even managed to take down the box office Goliath that was Avatar: Fire and Ash, the film remains standing as a scruffy underdog in an industry dominated by animated giants.

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Welcome, World Travelers: What Critics Are Saying About Animal Kingdom’s New Better Zoogether Show

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:01:10 +0000

by James Coulter

On Nov. 7, 2025, Zootopia: Better Zoogether opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The new Zootopia-themed 4D show replaces the former It’s Tough to Be a Bug attraction, which had run for nearly 25 years since the park’s opening day and closed earlier this year on Mar. 16, 2025.

My Personal Thoughts

I haven’t been able to visit the new attraction in person. However, I have watched video footage of the 9-minute show on YouTube. Personally, I feel it’s okay. I love the Zootopia movie, but I felt this attraction was, at the most, serviceable, something families can enjoy between riding Avatar: Flight of Passage and the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Not great, but good enough.

I never experienced the former It’s Tough to be a Bug attraction when it was open. As a kid, I was scared at the prospect of being “stung” by my theater seat and especially by feeling bugs “crawling” along my legs. (A similar attraction, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, literally traumatized me with its mice escaping from the screen. There was no way I was going to suffer a similar experience.)

So, I don’t really have the same nostalgia for the Bugs show that other guests may have. And personally, as forced as it might be, a show based on a recent popular movie like Zootopia is a much better fit for Animal Kingdom than one based on a Pixar movie that hasn’t been relevant since it first premiered in the late 1990s.

What Other Critics Are Saying

I appear to be alone in that assessment, as other critics claimed that the former attraction fit better with Animal Kingdom’s overall theming than the new show literally based on talking animals.

Tom Corless from WDW News Today, while admitting that Better Zoogether was “perfectly serviceable”, felt that the attraction “undermines the entire idea of this park”, even going so far as to claim the show evokes “some weird dystopian future where humans died and all animals live together in harmony and do not eat each other.”

“No matter how you felt about ‘It’s Tough to be a Bug’, it fit in Animal Kingdom again because there was an edutainment aspect,” Corless argued, writing how the new show, in stark contrast, is “a 9-minute Zootopia short that in no way connected to conservation or the real animal world.”

Many other critics felt that the new show, despite being based on a movie about animals, felt “out of place” in Animal Kingdom. Tom Bricke from Disney Tourist Blog called the attraction “a suboptimal fit”, claiming the show could have easily fit into any other park.

“This show could go literally anywhere, Bricke said. “In fact, if you told me that this was originally slated for Animation Courtyard[at Disney’s Hollywood Studios] or literally any other theater on property, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

Like Corless, Bricke insisted the show clashed with the overall theming of Animal Kingdom, a park created to celebrate biodiversity and champion environmentalism, elements clearly lacking in the new show.

“Diehard Walt Disney World fans know that Animal Kingdom revolves around the balance and harmony between the human world and the animal kingdom,” Bricke wrote. “On that basis, Zootopia actually isn’t perfect for the park.”

A staff writer for WDWMagic expressed a similar sentiment, explaining how Better Zoogether “feels disconnected from the setting” and “doesn’t contribute to Animal Kingdom’s broader message about wildlife and conservation.”

As for the actual show itself, the WDWMagicstaff writer criticized it for being too fast-paced “with constant cuts, overlapping dialogue, and a dense sound mix that can make it difficult to follow the story.” And unlike the show it replaced, the new show “a single comparable ‘wow’ moment.”

The post Welcome, World Travelers: What Critics Are Saying About Animal Kingdom’s New Better Zoogether Show first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Welcome, World Travelers! Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Opening Nov. 7 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Allison — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:22:23 +0000

by James Coulter

Get ready to experience the fur-tastic world of Disney’s Zootopia with the all-new 4D show “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Fri. Nov. 7, 2025.

The show will feature characters from the Zootopia film franchise as they gear up to celebrate Zoogether Day, a time when the citizens of Zootopia, predator and prey alike, celebrate diversity and togetherness.

As Disney Parks Blog reports: “Zoogether Day, a celebration of unity amongst the diverse biomes across the city, will be recognized with special performances such as ice-skating spectaculars from the heart of Tundratown! Synchronized swimming direct from Marsh Market! Tiny mouse drone shows soaring over Little Rodentia! And of course, a musical finale by superstar Gazelle – all of which we’ll see from the livestream watch party.”

The 4D show will utilize special “Carrot Vision” glasses that will allow guests to see various Zootopia characters pop out of the screen, along with other special effects.

However, one character who will be making a live in-person appearance will be Officer Benjamin Clawhauser, Gazelle’s number one fan and off-duty ZPD officer. The character will be depicted as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure inside the theater.

“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will be hosted in the Tree of Life Theater, previously home to “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” (based on Pixar’s 1998 “A Bug’s Life”), which recently ended its 27-year run.

This attraction follows in the footsteps of other Zootopia-themed attractions in Disney Parks worldwide, including the Zootopia-themed land that opened in 2023 at Shanghai Disneyland.

Aside from appearing in the new show, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will also appear as character meet and greets at Discovery Island near the Tree of Life at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot. Both characters will be wearing new clothes from their new movie, Zootopia 2, coming to theaters Wed. Nov. 26.

Even more Zootopia fun will be had at the Discovery Trading Company, which will be selling Zootopia merchandise starting on the “Zoogether Together” opening day of Fri. Nov. 7.

The post Welcome, World Travelers! Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Opening Nov. 7 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

One Movie Later: Top 9 Horror Movies Streaming for Free

Allison — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:16:35 +0000

One Movie Later: Top 9 Horror Movies Streaming for Free

by James Coulter

We all love marathoning old horror movies on Halloween, but not all of us have the spare change to afford a top streaming service like Netflix or HBO Max.

Fortunately, there are plenty of free streaming services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel. Best of all, they have plenty of great horror flicks worth binge-watching.

From cult classics to big box office blockbusters, here are some of the top-rated, most-watched horror movies currently streaming for free:

1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel

MPAA: R Run Time: 1hr 23m

Ratings: 89% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.4/10 (IMDB)

The granddaddy of slashers. When a van of teens gets lost in the middle of nowhere, an eccentric rural family offers to have them for dinner—or, rather, with the help of the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface, to have them as dinner. 50 years later, horror fans still watch this beloved classic, as it remains one of the most-streamed legacy horrors each year.

Critical Highlight: “The slasher that started it all… and still leaves viewers chilled to the bone.” — Paste Magazine

2. The Babadook (2014)

Platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel

MPAA: NR Run Time: 1h 34m

Ratings: 98% (Rotten Tomatoes) 6.8/10 (IMDB)

A modern-day urban legend. When a young boy claims to be haunted by a monster in his home, both he and his mother go on a downward spiral into paranoia. For the past decade, this film has remained universally acclaimed and cited by both horror outlets and fans as one of the most psychologically effective horror films.

Critical Highlight: “A monster movie that’s really about emotional trauma… layered, complex and just so goddamned dramatic.” — Paste Magazine

3. Paranormal Activity (2007)

Platforms: Pluto TV

MPAA: R Run time: 1h 26m

Ratings: 83% (Rotten Tomatoes) 6.3/10 (IMDB)

We all know the story: A family hears strange things happening at night. They decide to have a video camera record footage overnight. What they discover truly shocks them. This found footage flick spawned an entire film franchise, and every October, Pluto TV runs a complete month-long marathon of the movies.

Critical Highlight: “Sustained scares and relentless atmosphere… no wonder audiences keep coming back for more.” — Pluto TV editorial

4. The Descent (2005)

Platforms: Tubi, Pluto TV

MPAA: R Run time: 1h 39m

Ratings: 87% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.2/10 (IMDB)

A young woman and her friends decide to explore a creepy old cave. What could possibly go wrong? You know, aside from them uncovering unsettling artifacts from ancient times, as well as a previous cave expedition gone wrong. This spooky spelunking spectacle is often cited by horror fans as one of the best movies of the century and remains highly rated on Tubi.

Critical Highlight: “Even at home, the film still plays like gangbusters…the theater walls themselves seemed to close in on you.” — Mashable

5. Match (2025)

Platforms: Tubi

MPAA: NR Run Time: 1h 39m

Ratings: 87% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.2/10 (IMDB)

They say you should always be careful with online dating. A young woman learns that lesson the hard way after a dating app matches her with a serial killer. Now she needs to ditch her first date before he throws her in a ditch. This Tubi original has gone viral, being heralded by horror sites as “the first Halloween treat.” Those with weak stomachs are advised, as the gory practical effects will make you lose your lunch.

Critical Highlight: “Such an amazing surprise and the first Halloween treat of 2025… A classic slasher with so many brilliant practical effects. Rarely do Tubi Originals reach such heights.” — Heaven of Horror

6: Hellraiser (1987)

Platforms: Tubi

MPAA: R Run time: 1h 34m

Ratings: 72% (Rotten Tomatoes) IMDB: 7/10

This film’s antagonist may be named “Pinhead”, but don’t go calling him that as an insult. Or rather, don’t go trying to solve his puzzle box. He might leave you torn to pieces–quite literally! Hellraiser and its main villain, Pinhead, remain classic modern-day horror icons, and the film remains one of the most replayed on Tubi.

Critical Highlight: “Makes Nightmare on Elm Street look like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” — The Houston Post

7. Train to Busan (2016)

Platforms: Pluto TV

MPAA: NR Run time: 1h 58m

Ratings: 94% (Rotten Tomatoes) 7.6/10 (IMDB)

What could be worse than a train commute? How about a train commute during a zombie outbreak? That’s a sticky, scary situation one Korean man and his daughter find themselves. Will they survive the zombies on the way to Busan? Or will they end up zombies themselves? This international critical sensation has received high votes and ratings on streaming sites, having been consistently voted #1 on user polls.

Critical Highlight: “Delivers a gripping tale of survival… masterfully builds tension and delivers frights that cater to thrill-seekers’ tastes.” — Ranker, Paste Magazine

8. Possessor (2020)

Platforms: Tubi

MPAA: R Run time: 1h 43m

Ratings: 93% (Rotten Tomatoes) 6.5/10 (IMDB)

An assassin’s work isn’t easy. Fortunately, one elite assassin has her job made easier with brain-implant tech, allowing her to possess and kill her targets. However, one hit job has her struggling to control their body and her own. Cronenberg’s body horror never appeared more horrible and body-twitching. No wonder it’s top-rated by Paste and JustWatch.

Critical Highlight: “Cronenberg isn’t just looking to provoke with blood and guts—like all good dystopian fiction, Possessor offers disturbing and timely observations about the world we already live in.” — The Atlantic

9. Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Platforms: Tubi

MPAA: R Run time: 1h 45m

Ratings: 54% (Rotten Tomatoes) 5.4/10 (IMDB)

So, you’re an indie rock band. You made a deal with the devil. He gives you fame and fortune. You give him a virgin sacrifice. There’s only one problem? That cheerleader you sacrificed? She wasn’t a virgin. And now she’s back for vengeance. And a taste for human flesh. A critically panned box-office bomb on initial release, this film has since been reevaluated as a cult horror classic, praised for its social bites as well as its literal ones.

Critical Highlight: “A wicked black comedy with unexpected emotional resonance, one of the most purely pleasurable movies.” — Slate

The post One Movie Later: Top 9 Horror Movies Streaming for Free first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.