Disney Plus Offers an Impressive Array of Programming

Remember back in the day when we ordered DVDs through the mail from Netflix? Today that seems like ancient history when you look at all of the streaming options. Netflix competitors include Amazon Prime video, Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount, Apple TV and more. ABC is part of a big conglomerate that includes Disney, Hulu, ESPN and more. I have been impressed at the variety of programming on the Disney Plus streaming platform. Star Wars fans will be pleased to find every movie as well as shows like The Manalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and many shows that reveal behind-the-scenes secrets of the George Lucas creations. Every episode of The Muppet Show is on Disney Plus. Animal lovers will enjoy the National Geographic programming, such as Secrets of the Zoo. Disney has the rights to Homer, Bart and The Simpson clan, so every episode, spanning over 30 years can be found here. Disney Plus has every Pixar movie ever made, from Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Soul, Encanto and more. The entire Marvel universe of super hero films is included. The platform has plenty of cartoons, going all the way back to Steamboat Willie, which had the first appearance of Mickey Mouse. Some of the best gems of this platform are shows that document the history of Disney, from the theme parks, movies, and executives that made the company a giant in the world of entertainment. The Disney bundle includes Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus.

Book Review: Starstruck by Leonard Maltin

Film critic Leonard Maltin has written several books about his love of cinema. His latest book is an autobiography about his life as a movie maven who worked for Entertainment Tonight for many years. He tells of his upbringing in New Jersey and eventually moving to California to dedicate himself to covering the world of film. Besides Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Maltin has been the best known movie critic for decades. I enjoyed his stories about teaching film classes at USC, the nation's premiere film school. Being in Los Angeles, he could screen films in class and get the stars or directors to show up to talk to students about their work. I think it would have been fascinating to attend his classes. Jerry Lewis also taught film at USC and two of his students were Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. In the book, Maltin mentioned the incredible experience of interviewing Lucas at Skywalker Ranch. Maltin talks about his adventures in podcasting, working for Turner Classic Movies, and attending film festivals around the world. My main issue with the book is that there was too much focus on classic films and their stars. Maltin talked a lot about films of the 1940s and before. I would have appreciated more discussion of contemporary films and stars. The book wrapped up with a chapter where Maltin revealed his health challenges since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease a few years ago. Overall I enjoyed this tale of a man's dedication to what he loves...the world of Hollywood, film and celebrities.

Facebook Groups Have Kept Me Busy

I have not blogged in three years since I use my Facebook groups for posting my thoughts on entertainment. I created the groups Memories of The Rat Pack, 40+ Years of Saturday Night Live and Comedy in America. I am co-administrator for The Johnny Carson Fan Club and David Letterman fans. I really enjoy those groups and find that I learn so much from the posts of others. The Rat Pack group has grown at the fastest pace. The Carson group is my favorite. I am proud that among our members are many people who worked on the show, including a producer, a writer, a publicist, a stage manager and an audio engineer.