Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil
Director: Joachim Rønning
Writer: Linda Woolverton, Noah Harpster, Micah Fitzerman-Blue
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Lesley Manville, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, Michelle Pfeiffer
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG | Minutes: 118
Release Date: October 18, 2019

You never know what to expect from Disney’s live-action adaptations of their animated classics. At times, they can be just as wonderful as their animated counterparts. Other times, they are just hollow, lacking any sort of distinguishing features. But for Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil, starring Angelina Jolie, it is the first sequel of its kind for the studio. This means, there are new stories to see and hear, new worlds to explore, new characters to meet, and more reasons to love the antihero fairy whose cold heart was warmed by Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning).

Sure, the first film was merely a CGI-saturated feature that could not match Jolie’s performance, but with the sequel has a much better cast, a fantastic story, and more epic action sequences. Check out the full review below.

Disney’s The Lion King (2019), Jon Favreau‘s reimagining of the animated feature of the same name, may not have been met with the same unanimous praise its animated counterpart received, but it was a hit, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide. Now the film, which features cutting-edge technology to turn the once-animated animals into photorealistic ones, is getting a home entertainment release.

Featuring hours of bonus features that showcase the cutting-edge technology behind the stunning savanna and a special look at the music of The Lion King, the film will be available on Digital 4K Ultra HD and Movies Anywhere on October 11, 2019, and on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on October 22, 2019.

Check out the list of bonus features here below.

Disney’s The Lion King (2019) may be a near reflection of the animated original, but director Jon Favreau’s use of groundbreaking and innovative Photo Real technology allows audiences to experience a familiar story in a whole new way. But not only did Favreau use these sets of tools for the reimagining, but he also brought in a cast that would help carry the film. Comprised of mostly black actors, this new take on The Lion King is a celebration of African culture and an opportunity for young black children to feel that they matter.

Geeks Of Doom joined their fellow journalists at the global press conference of The Lion King where Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Keegan-Michael Key, Florence Kasumba, Eric Andre, John Kani, JD McCrary, and Shahadi Wright Joseph shared their own experience making the film, being able to improv and riff, the legacy of the animated original, identity, and so much more. Check out what they had to say here below.

The Lion King
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Jeff Nathanson
Cast: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, James Earl Jones
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG | Minutes: 118
Release Date: July 19, 2019

When it comes to Disney animated films, The Lion King is considered to be one of the studio’s shining crown jewels. Released 25 years ago, the film raised the bar on animation and storytelling so high that it made it nearly impossible for any other animated feature from other studios to come close to its quality and standards. As such, there is no denying the film’s place within the Disney animation pantheon.

We then flash forward to 2019, when director Jon Favreau took the lessons that he learned from making the live-action The Jungle Book, and used tools and techniques to tell a beloved story in a new way that is visually bold and striking. Backed by a terrific voice cast including Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, Billy Eichner, and Seth Rogen, The Lion King roars with astounding pride. But as great as it is and how respectful it is to honor the original, this reimagining’s major issue is that it takes too little risk to separate itself from its animated counterpart. This new take matches the story almost beat for beat. However, the new cast gives it a refreshing spin, and the visuals help audiences see the film from a completely new perspective. My full review below.

Although it wasn’t the most well-received of the Disney live-action adaptations of their animated classics, Maleficent went on to be one of the biggest blockbuster films of 2014. As such, it deserved to get a sequel. Flash-forward five years later, we are getting that with Angelina Jolie returning to reprise the role that she was born to play in Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil. However, the title character’s happiness won’t be continuing, as Aurora (Elle Fanning) has a new fiance, whose family promises to care for her the way that Maleficent never could. But are their intentions true or are they hiding something? And what other surprises are in store for the audience. Check out the trailer and more here below.