Teaser Trailer for New “The Jungle Book” from Disney

new Jungle Book

One of my favorite Disney movies as a kid was The Jungle Book (1967), so I cannot help but be worried and excited that Disney is remaking the animated film as a live-action movie with CGI effects. On the other hand, the cast and the new teaser trailer make me think this new version of Rudyard Kipling’s story might just be a hit.

Iron Man director Jon Favreau directs the upcoming The Jungle Book film, which was written by Justin Marks. The actors selected to voice the various animals seem perfect: tiger Shere Khan is voiced by Idris Elba, panther Bagheera is voiced by Ben Kingsley, the bear Baloo is voiced by Bill Murray, the wolf Raksha is voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, the python Kaa is voiced by Scarlett Johansson, and the orangutan King Louie is voiced by Christopher Walken. The young boy Mowgli will be played by Neel Sethi.

Richard M. Sherman who wrote songs for the original The Jungle Book with his late brother Robert B. Sherman, is writing new songs for the new film. But we will still get to hear Bill Murray sing the original’s “The Bare Necessities.” Unfortunately, there are as of yet no reports that Christopher Walken will sing “I Wan’na Be Like You,” but I would think the movie must include it.

The Jungle Book is scheduled to hits theaters April 15, 2016. Disney also recently announced plans for a new Mary Poppins movie, which will be set twenty years after the original 1964 film with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

Will you see The Jungle Book? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Christopher Walken’s Movie Dance Montage

    Christopher Walken Dancing
    Huffington Post recently compiled a video of movie scenes with actor Christopher Walken dancing. The clip features scenes of Walken’s moves from more than fifty movies, all set to C+C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).” Movies featured in the montage include The Deer Hunter (1978), Batman Returns (1992), Wayne’s World 2 (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), Wedding Crashers (2005), Hairspray (2007), and A Late Quartet (2012). Seeing the large number of films that feature Walken’s moves, I wonder if some filmmakers hire him on that talent alone. Check it out.

    Walken has not only danced in movies. With all of Walken’s great film work, he is also known for his footwork in the great video for Fatboy Slim‘s “Weapon of Choice.” If the new movie montage video has you craving more Walken dancing, here’s the Fatboy Slim video.

    What is your favorite Christopher Walken dance? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Can You Catch Frank William Abagnale Jr.?

    to tell the truth abagnale Many know of Frank William Abagnale, Jr. because he was played by Leonardo DiCaprio in Director Steven Spielberg’s movie Catch Me If You Can (2002), which also starred Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, and Christopher Walken. As portrayed in the film, Abagnale was on the run from the FBI in the 1960s, after he started as a young man passing bad checks and impersonating people around the country. Later, Abagnale went on to work for the FBI.

    You can see what the real person looked like, as well as test yourself on whether you can spot him, by watching this 1977 episode of To Tell the Truth. For those who do not remember the television show, the premise is that someone of note appears on the show with two imposters. A panel of celebrities ask the three people questions and then try to determine who is the real person.

    The twist with Abagnale’s episode was that he was an imposter who was playing himself for once. Can you figure out which one is him?

    How long did it take you to figure out which man was Frank William Abagnale Jr.? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Did Elvis Perform “If I Can Dream” Facing a Christmas Stage As In Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” Move?
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    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Nov. 20, 2011)

    Wizard of Oz

    In case you were overwhelmed last week worrying about the NBA lockout or who is the sexiest man alive or the latest on Ashton Kutcher’s problems, below are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed.

    ———-Music———-

    The heart-stopping, earth-shaking,…legendary E Street Band will tour with Bruce Springsteen in 2012 supporting a new album.

    In a new interview, Michael Stipe explained why REM called it a day.
    “The horror was if somebody Twittered or leaked it.”

    Listen to Kate Bush’s new CD 50 Words for Snow on NPR First Listen.

    Also on NPR, you may listen to Michael Jackson: Immortal, the new CD of Jackson songs for a Cirque du Soleil production.

    The Los Angeles Times reported that Drake’s “Marvin’s Room,” on his new CD Take Care, was inspired by a visit from Stevie Wonder.

    The New York Times reviewed the new album by Florence and the Machine.

    The Chicago Tribune reviewed a performance by Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump, who played “shiny funkified soulful pop” in promotion of new solo CD.

    I like music critic Greil Marcus, so will have to check out his new book on The Doors that was reviewed in The New York Times at the link.

    “I’ll be watching you.” Sting released a free app for the iPad that documents his career.

    ———-Movies———-

    Brad Pitt plans to quit acting in three years. I guess they need to hurry up and film Oceans Fourteen.

    Natalie Wood films Officials are investigating actress Natalie Wood’s drowning death from 30 years ago. Although initial reports claimed a yacht captain was blaming Woods’ then-husband actor Robert Wagner for the death, recent reports note that Wagner is not a suspect. But Christopher Walken, who was on the boat with the couple the night Woods died, has hired a lawyer.

    Karl Slover, one of the last living actors who played one of the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz, passed away Tuesday.

    The new film The Great Flood features archival footage from the 1927 flood and music from Bill Frisell.

    The screenwriter for “The Departed” picked his top 5 British crime and suspense films from the 1960s and 1970s.

    Illumination Entertainment is planning a Woody Woodpecker film. (Thanks @VeryAw.) I grew up with the cartoons, so I’m excited that this overlooked character may be revived.

    The Atlas Shrugged DVD was released with a back cover mistakenly saying the movie was from a novel of “self-sacrifice” instead of author Ayn Rand’s contrary philosophy of self-interest. Oops!

    Andy Buckle’s Film Emporium blog wrote an interesting comparison between two epic World War II films, The Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan. (Thanks @buckle22.)

    Johnny B. Goode! Last weekend, Michael J. Fox reenacted his guitar playing from Back to the Future at a charity event.

    ———-Television———-

    Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton was hired by NBC News.

    Charlie Rose is going from PBS to CBS, which is pairing him with Gayle King.

    A new mid-season comedy on CBS, “iROB,” will feature Rob Schneider and Cheech Marin.

    Ricky Gervais will be back as host of the Golden Globes.

    ———-History and Other Pop Culture News———-

    The new CBS On the Road reported the sad and touching ending to the story of the friendship between Bella the dog and Tara the elephant: Have tissues handy. If you have not heard of Bella and Tara, you might first want to check out an earlier story about the animals.

    “Sticks Like Magic!” CNN reports on the interesting background of the toy Colorforms, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month. I had forgot about Colorforms, which I had as a kid.

    Long-lost Air Force One tapes made the day JFK was killed were just discovered and put up for sale.

    Nice to have some good sports-related news with Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos rescued safe from kidnappers.

    The Houston Astros are moving to the American League. I’m still confused from the Brewers league switch in 1998.

    Shout! Factory released a new 11-DVD set of Mr. Magoo cartoons, featuring the voice of Jim Backus.

    Check out some New Guinness World Records for 2012.

    What was your favorite pop culture story this week? Leave your two cents in the comments.