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Universal’s House of Horrors Closes on Labor Day 2014

On September 1st, 2014, the cast of Universal Studios’ House of Horror, a live action walk thru of haunted movie sets has finally closed it’s doors for the last time.  The seven year maze has seen many changes in being transformed for Halloween Horror Nights as well as the previous Van Helsing- Fortress Dracula, Mummy Maze and the Chicken Run Maze.

See the maze below from the guests perspective.

It was an emotional closing for performers and cast members alike as a rare last walk thru brought more than just scares.  Watch below as employees made their final walk thru the maze that paid homage to some of Universal’s Classic Monsters.

Universal’s House of Horrors will be used one last time for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights and then will be transformed into another unique dining, retail and entertainment experience.

 

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“Into The Storm”: A Modern Day “Twister”

Produced and Distributed by Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema, Into the Storm opened August 8 and thus far as brought in over 31 million.
Produced and Distributed by Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema, Into the Storm opened August 8 and thus far as brought in over 31 million.

Loosely based on the 1996, blockbuster Twister, that starred Helen Hunt and and Bill Paxton, Into the Storm brings the power of nature back to the big screen for a new generation to experience.  Told documentary style, storm trackers and high school students on their graduation day are caught in a series of deadly tornados that hit the local town of Silvertown, Oklahoma.  The film stars Richard Amitage, Sarah Wayne Calles, Matt Welsh, Alycia Debnam-Carey and Arlen Escarpeta, strangers who find themselves working together to both survive and document the deadly storm for the chance of saving future generation.

With action, suspense and a slight hint of romance, the story line is enough to keep the audiences attention throughout the entire movie.  Now in theaters, worldwide it’s a movie that one doesn’t want to miss.

 

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“Turtles” Take 4th Highest August Box Office

Director Michael Bay’s epic blockbuster,TMNT, brought in a record 65 million for its opening weekend and fans showed up to nearly sold out theaters to see just how the 90’s Turtles were brought back in their latest adventure.

The movie holds true to the story as it is told through the eyes of budding reporter April O’Neil, played by Megan Fox, who follows the vigilant anti, a.k.a the turtles, who are fighting to save the people of New York from the infamous Shredder.   Through her adventures, O’Neil releases deep secrets behind the turtles as well as her father’s former company that lead to his untimely death as well as her father’s most trusted friend and partner, who is now working for Shredder to find the turtles and use them for their own benefit of capitalism.

The use of the CGI and camera effects make this movie appealing to the eye and the storyline is right on track to what Turtle fans know and love, despite the critics’ opinion that the ‘turtles look creepy’.

Rated PG 13, it is recommended for any “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” fan and is currently playing in various theaters near you.

Photo taken by Julie Moree, the original van from the movie on display outside Universal Citywalk theater on TMNT's opening weekend.
Photo taken by Julie Moree,
the original van from the movie on display outside Universal Citywalk theater on TMNT’s opening weekend.
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Watermelons at Santa Anita Park

The Watermelon Festival is back for their 53rd year, sponsored by the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club.  This year, they were pleased be at the famous Santa Anita Park, home to the legendary horse racing stadium.  There was free watermelon and much more on the third weekend in July and hundreds came out to partake of the fun festivities including the royal court, featuring Watermelon Queen Calista Yakhamen, a junior from Verdugo Hills High School as well as Watermelon King Ruben Mendez, a senior also from Verdugo Hills High School.

And of course this year’s National Watermelon Queen, Brandi Harrison made her presence to support California Watermelons on behalf of the National Watermelon Association.

Watch the video below, to see more of the fun and festivities that this unique festival had to offer.

 

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The Lotus’ Return To Local Park in Los Angeles

After several years of abandonment, the precious flowers return to the lake that is just a few miles from Downtown Los Angeles.
After several years of abandonment, the precious flowers return to the lake that is just a few miles from Downtown Los Angeles.
After a three year hiatus, the festival is back with the help from the Asian Pacific Community as well as the country of the Phillippians, the free festival allows residents to enjoy a weekend in the park.
After a three year hiatus, the festival is back with the help from the Asian Pacific Community as well as the country of the Philippines, the free festival allows residents to enjoy a weekend in the park.
On the second weekend in July, music echoed throughout Echo Park Lake as various bands performed from noon till sundown.
On the second weekend in July, music echoed throughout Echo Park Lake as various bands performed from noon till sundown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put on by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, the free festival was held on July 12 and 13 from 12 til 8 at  Echo Park Lake, near downtown Los Angeles.

With the return of the lotus', the wildlife also made their return, including White Cranes, Ducks and Baby Sea Turtles.
With the return of the lotus’, the wildlife also made their return, including White Cranes, Ducks and Baby Sea Turtles.
More wildlife
The ducks enjoyed the bread that residents through to them.
Look carefully
Residents gathered on the dock in search for the wildlife in the lake like this baby sea turtle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apart from the festival, residents could also rent pedal boats to further enjoy the beauty of the lake.

The art of meditation was shared with residents as these characters were marched solemnly around the lake.
The art of meditation was shared with residents as these characters were marched solemnly around the lake.
There was even more entertainment for children with bounce houses for a small fee as well as arts and crafts to teach them more about the Asian Pacific culture.
There was even more entertainment for children with bounce houses for a small fee as well as arts and crafts to teach them more about the Asian Pacific culture.
This dragon statue stood at the entrance to the festival as a friendly welcome and reminder of Asian Pacific heritage.
This dragon statue stood at the entrance to the festival as a friendly welcome and reminder of Asian Pacific heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Echo Park Lake is open every day from morning until dusk.

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“Boys” Debut Falls Short but Still Entertains

Based on the  broadway musical, Jersey Boys, stars “Law and Order” actors, John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli, and Vincent Piazza as Tommy DeVito, and is the story of how Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons came to be, through their childhood struggles in New Jersey on to their smashing ten year run and finally how money problems lead to the unforeseen split of the group.   It’s told through the eyes of band members, DeVito and Nick Massey, played by newcomer, Michael Lomenda.

With great musical performances, such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Sherry” and the romantic ballad, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”, the actors really sang to a thousands of movie goers over the weekend as the musical took in over 13.5 million, though it didn’t take the number one spot, it is still a movie worth seeing. Just make sure to keep straight who is narrating because the character shifts can get a little unclear.  That being said, it is still a great movie, highly rated for all music lovers.

Jersey Boys was directed by Clint Eastwood and released and distributed by Warner Brothers on June 20, 2014.
Jersey Boys was directed by Clint Eastwood and released and distributed by Warner Brothers on June 20, 2014.
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“Stars” shine over Evil

2014 movie poster, Photo rights belong to 20th Century Fox who produced and distributed the film
2014 movie poster,
Photo rights belong to 20th Century Fox who produced and distributed the film

Based on the 2012 novel by author John Green, “The Fault In Our Stars” is a drama romance about two teenagers battling terminal cancer and finding lover at the end of their lives.

The film reunites actress Shailene Woodley and actor Ansel Elgort from the 2014 adventure “Divergent” as Hazel, played by Woodley, is struggling for her life with a terminal cancer that has taken over her lungs. She meets Gus, played by Elgort, at a support group and is slowly drawn in by his wit and charm.

It’s a love story that keeps you on the edge of your seat from their first words to the intimate heart felt moments when you think it might be their last.

Rated PG 13, “The Fault in our Stars” is expected to take the number one spot, it’s opening weekend, bringing in at least 55 million dollars and knocking the Disney live action Maleficent to the number two spot at the box office.

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Blended: A Comedic Romance

Actor/Comedian Adam Sandler has teamed up again with Actress Drew Barrymore in a comedic romance of blended proportions. Sandler stars as a widower with his three young girls, going on a blind date with Barrymore who’s divorced with two young boys. The date, of course, goes terribly awry and the two part company.

Photo rights belong to Warner Brothers Studio produces and distributes the movie.
Photo rights belong to Warner Brothers Studios, who produces and distributes the movie for the public.

Meanwhile, Barrymore’s friend and Sandler’s boss have a weekend blended couples vacation in Africa that they decide not to go on and little unbeknownst to either Sandler or Barrymore, they convince their friends to let them take their children on a “Family” trip to Africa.

Upon their arrival, Barrymore and Sandler are abhorred that they are together once again and despite staying in the same room for a “romantic” week, they try to make the trip about their kids only.

Before we know it, the two are finding ways to help each other’s children in a friendly, comical matter and they slowly find themselves inadvertently falling for each other and each other’s children.

But will it be enough, to keep them together once the trip is over?

“Blended”, in true Adam Sandler form, is a story that keeps you on your toes and laughing from the first minute on and is highly recommended for anyone who is a hopeless romantic or just wants a good laugh. Due to the PG 13 Rating, it is highly recommended for an older teenage to young adult audience.

“Blended” was released to theaters on May 23rd and thus far has earned over 32 million in the United States alone.

 

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23 Years of Bringing Holiday Cheer to Low Income Families

On the last Saturday in May, low income families are invited to celebrate Christmas in Spring at the largest food bank on the West Coast, Mend.  The event was hosted by Universal Studios Hollywood and the Discover a Star Foundation.

For 23 years, volunteers at Universal Studios Hollywood, in connection with the Discover A Star Foundation has brought Christmas to Low income Families at MEND.
For 23 years, volunteers at Universal Studios Hollywood, in connection with the Discover A Star Foundation has brought Christmas to Low income Families at MEND.
Families pose for photos with Santa Claus as part of the Christmas In Spring celebration.
Families pose for photos with Santa Claus as part of the Christmas In Spring celebration.
New Universal Characters like the popular Minions from Despicable Me entertain kids as they dance and have their pictures taken with the characters.
New Universal Characters like the popular Minions from Despicable Me entertain kids as they dance and have their pictures taken with the characters.
600 pounds of Chicken, Veggies, and Salad was served to roughly a thousand less fortunate families.
600 pounds of Chicken, Veggies, and Salad was served to roughly a thousand less fortunate families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Games
Kids had the opportunity to try their hands at Carnival games similar to the ones at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Kids stood in line waiting to get either part or all of their face painted for the occasion.
Kids stood in line waiting to get either part or all of their face painted for the occasion.
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Running for Strawberries in Garden Grove, Calif.

On the four day Memorial weekend, Garden Grove held their 56th annual Strawberry Festival, complete with a parade of celebrities as well as the first ever 5K Strawberry run.  This year’s theme was “honoring our exceptional educators” and teachers and staff members were honored with the strawberry parade as well as the pancake breakfast.

To learn more about this festival, watch the video below.