Song List for First “High School Musical” Film (2006)

Originally one of just many small-budget Disney Channel Original movies at the time it premiered in 2006, the Kenny Ortega-directed High School Musical became a breakout hit and momentary pop cultural phenomenon of the 2000s that produced two sequels (the third premiering in cinemas) and other media, books and comics.

Now well over 10 years later (and with subdued discussion on making a film number 4) let’s return to the start of something new, as it were, and present you a list of the famous “ear-worm” songs from the first High School Musical movie, with the singers involved thusly indicated.

  1. Start of Something New (Troy and Gabriella – Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens)
  2. Get’cha Head in the Game (Troy Bolton)
  3. What I’ve Been Looking For (Sharpay and Ryan – Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel)
  4. What I’ve Been Looking For – Reprise (Troy and Gabriella)
  5. Stick to the Status Quo (East High School Students – Ensemble Cast)
  6. When There Was Me and You (Gabriella Montez)
  7. Bop to the Top (Sharpay and Ryan)
  8. Breaking Free (Troy and Gabriella)
  9. We’re All In This Together (East High School Students)

Short List of Potential Directors for Heavily Discussed “Black Widow” MCU Solo Film (Plus their Prior Credits)

With so many films being slotted into the production schedule of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sometimes certain Marvel superhero movies that the public is clamoring to see get put on the back burner if not ignored entirely. One of these wish-list entries is a solo movie for the Black Widow.

Introduced into the MCU in Iron Man 2, SHIELD Agent Natasha Romanov – as portrayed by Scarlett Johansson – has built up a small but vocal fan base that wants a movie with her, front and center. Some voices in Marvel Studios has juggled the concept too, and even proposed possible directors.

Today we have a short list of the filmmakers – all female – whose names have been dropped as potential directors for an MCU Black Widow film. All three of them have been said to have talked about the project to both Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige and Black Widow/Scarlett Johansson herself.

Also included are some films each director has done prior to this development, with information where they might be relevant.

  • Cate Shortland – from Australia, the first to be rumored for consideration to direct Black Widow
  1. Somersault (2004) – Australian indie film starring Sam Worthington
  2. Lore (2012) – co-production with German and British studios, a historical drama
  3. Berlin Syndrome (2017) – co-production with French studio, a psychological thriller
  • Amma Asante – British filmmaker from Ghanaian parents
  1. Belle (2013) – period drama inspired by true story
  2. A United Knigdom (2016) – historical romantic drama based on true story
  • Maggie Betts – the sole American choice
  1. The Carrier (2010) – a documentary on AIDS
  2. Novitiate (2017) – a drama about life in a Catholic convent in the days after Vatican Council II

List of Lost Boys in Disney’s “Peter Pan” and Sequel

For a little dose of classical Disney Animated Canon nostalgia, we’re going to make a list of names of the Lost Boys, the merry band of Peter Pan’s in Never Land, from his 1953 movie. They retain their names for the most part from J.M. Barrie’s work, with an exception.

  1. Slightly – Peter’s right-hand boy of the band, the tallest of the Lost Boys and wears a red fox costume
  2. Cubby – originally names “Curly” by Barrie, in the Disney film he’s the chubbiest and strongest of the Boys other than Peter; wears a brown bear costume
  3. The Twins – as described, they’re identical twins in purple raccoon costumes that finish each other’s sentences…or talk simultaneously as heard in the sequel Return to Never Land
  4. Nibs – the taciturn but constantly on the move Lost Boy dressed in a light-pink bunny costume
  5. Tootles – the smallest Lost Boy whose motif is a black skunk; in the original film he never talks, and in the sequel he communicates by writing on a notepad
  6. John Darling – Wendy’s younger brother; after joining the Lost Boys in Never Land he tries to act as a leader figure when Peter’s not around; not very effective; returned home with his siblings after the adventure
  7. Michael Darling – Wendy and John’s youngest brother; he tends to follow the leads of whichever boy is the leader of the moment, if not sticking close to Wendy; also returned home at the end
  8. Jane – daughter of Wendy by the time of the Return to Never Land sequel in 2002; after being saved by Peter from Captain Hook’s kidnapping, she’s put to be a new “Mother” to the boys only to refuse; after bonding with the Boys and reawakening her inner child, Jane becomes a “Lost Girl”, though she also returns home at the end of it

Song List for “Disney’s Sing-Along Songs” Volume: “Heigh-Ho” (1987)

It’s interesting to note that the first few volumes of the Disney’s Sing-Along Songs home video specials started out as promotional materials for the theatrical releases of Disney movies at the time. The second volume, released 1987, was timed with the rerelease of Snow White in 1987, its golden anniversary.

The special’s framing device of a bird classroom taught by Professor Owl also featured recycled animations from the source materials of the characters and settings, the shorts Melody and Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom that form Adventures in Music. Sharp eyes can spot identical scenes with different dubbed dialogue throughout.

Anyway, we’ll get right on to list the featured songs for Sing-Along Songs Volume: “Heigh-Ho”:

  1. Heigh-Ho (from 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  2. Up, Down and Touch the Ground (from 1966’s Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree)
  3. Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor’s Life for Me) (from 1940’s Pinocchio)
  4. Yo-Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me) (from the Pirates of the Caribbean Disneyland attraction)
  5. The Silly Song (The Dwarf’s Yodel Song) (from 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  6. A Cowboy Needs a Horse (from the 1956 short A Cowboy Needs a Horse)
  7. The Three Caballeros (from 1944’s The Three Caballeros)
  8. Theme from Zorro (from the 1957-59 Zorro TV Series)
  9. The Siamese Cat Song (from 1955’s Lady and the Tramp)
  10. Let’s Go Fly a Kite (from 1964’s Mary Poppins)
  11. Reprise conclusion: Heigh-Ho

Two songs, “Yo-Ho” and “The Siamese Cat Song” were cut from rereleases of this Sing-Along Songs volume, the first song in 1993 and the second song in the year after.

List (from Best to Worse) of “Star Wars” Star-Fighter Aerodynamics in Terms of Real-World Physics

All those star-fighter craft that we see in the epic space opera franchise of Star Wars have some things in common. First, they look awesome. Second, according to real-world aerodynamics they’re supposed to be having trouble keeping airborne on their shapes alone. This was discovered after some “virtual” wind-tunnel testing.

EC Henry on YouTube was inspired to perform such an experiment using virtual wind tunnel simulation software, Auto Desk Flow. With it, he took some 3D graphic models of star fighters from Star Wars and put them to the test. His findings revealed that, aerodynamically, Star Wars fighters have wind-trouble.

Here we have a list of the tested Star Wars space vehicles on Auto Desk Flow, along with (current canon) source, and their resulting drag coefficient – a statistical measuring of air resistance on an object, that is their hulls. The larger it is, the worse it fares on real-world air. Best to worst, they are:

  1. Naboo N-1 (Prequel Trilogy) – 0.10
  2. A-Wing Fighter (Original Trilogy) – 0.17
  3. Poe Dameron’s T-70 X-Wing (Sequel Trilogy) – 0.24
  4. ARC-170 Aggressive ReCon (Prequel Trilogy) – 0.39
  5. T-65 X-Wing (Original Trilogy) – 0.45
  6. TIE Striker (Rogue One) – 0.48
  7. Y-Wing Bomber (Original Trilogy) – 0.68
  8. TIE Interceptor (Star Wars Rebels) – 0.78
  9. TIE Fighter (Original Trilogy) – 0.98

If you need a real-life frame of reference for how less feasible Star Wars fighters come up in the real world, know that the McDonnell-Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber, now a 60-year-old airframe, has a drag coefficient figure of 0.02, better than the best Star Wars “design” from Naboo. Well, Star Wars is sci-fi after all.

For Review: List of Prominent Attractions at Soon-to-Open Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, WDW

Ten days. There’s only ten days left before the latest iteration of Toy Story Land opens in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Staffers on site are already aware that there will be a sea of people waiting to come in when the new park extension opens June 30.

They may have been already mention in lists of the past, but let’s review what to expect in Toy Story Land of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in terms of rides, dining accommodations and other attractions in store. With the whole area themed as a play city put together by Andy in the yard (with guests as toy-sized visitors), it’s going to be a fun experience that brings up nice childhood memories.

  1. Slinky Dog Dash – the main ride attraction for Toy Story Land, a Slinky the dog becomes a roller coaster extravaganza
  2. Alien Swirling Saucers – why play old-school bumper cars when you can go for bumper UFOs?
  3. Toy Story Mania – the main Toy Story attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios before Toy Story Land appeared, the ride’s now integrated to the new area
  4. Woody’s Lunch Box – Andy’s imagination enabled him to turn his old Woody-themed lunch box into a fast-food, where “honorary toys” (you, the guests) can go for some classic American diner orders and Toy Story-themed specialties
  5. Character Encounters – thus far, you’re confirmed to see Toy Story’s very own “Golden Trio” of Woody, Buzz and Jessie around
  6. Green Army Men Drum Corps – no matter how much time passes, Sarge and his Army Men will hold to their duty; their current mission is to patrol Toy Story Land, entertain guests with fun mini-games, and run Army Man boot camp for aspiring toy soldiers

Only two Saturdays from now, and all these things will come open at last for every honorary toy to enjoy.

List of “Neighborhood” Sub-Areas in Soon-to-Open Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure

When Disney California Adventure opened in Disneyland in 2001, its centermost area is Paradise Pier, a waterside theme section of the theme park designed to look like a Disney-fied Victorian boardwalk. Towards the end of last year, they began work to re-theme Paradise Pier into Pixar Pier; no points in guessing what the motif of the revamped area will be.

The new Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure will open this Saturday, June 23, with access to the area before that time restricted to invited guests and only on certain celebratory events before the big day. But we have info on the four Pixar-themed sub-areas (dubbed “neighborhoods”) that Pixar Pier will have. Here’s a list of them and their features.

  1. The Incredibles – based on Disney-Pixar’s popular superhero family; includes the re-theme of the former California Screamin’ roller coaster, now the “Incredicoaster”
  2. Toy Story – Pixar Pier’s own unique take of the larger Toy Story Land areas found in other Disney theme parks (Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and soon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World); featured attractions include Jessie’s Critter Carousel and Señor Buzz Churros stand
  3. Inside Out – based on the most adorable inside study of human emotions and personality ever; featured attractions include the “Angry Dogs” fast-food, themed after Anger
  4. Other Pixar films – includes the Mickey’s Fun Wheel Ferris wheel, retaining Mickey Mouse’s face but having its 24 gondolas now redesigned after various Disney-Pixar characters

The opening of Disney California Adventures’ new Pixar Pier area comes just ahead of the opening of Toy Story Land Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, due June 30.

Song List for “Disney’s Sing-Along Songs” Volume: “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” (1986)

Some ideas simply take life from undertakings that originally have nothing to do with it. The first volume of what would become the Disney’s Sing-Along Songs home video series was actually put together as a special to promote the 1986 theatrical re-release of the film Song of the South, of which its most famous song forms part of the program.

Now we’ll take a look at the song list for Disney’s Sing-Along Songs volume 1, which have been collected from no less than seven Disney films, two TV series and one iconic Disneyland ride attraction.

  1. The Mickey Mouse Club March (from 1955-59’s The Mickey Mouse Club TV show)
  2. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (from 1946’s Song of the South)
  3. Following the Leader (from 1953’s Peter Pan)
  4. It’s a Small World (from the Disneyland ride attraction; footage taken from the original installation of “It’s a Small World” ride at the 1964 New York World’s Fair)
  5. The Unbirthday Song (from 1951’s Alice in Wonderland)
  6. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (from 1950’s Cinderella)
  7. Casey Junior (from 1941’s Dumbo)
  8. The Ballad of Davy Crockett (from 1954-55’s Davy Crockett miniseries)
  9. Give a Little Whistle (from 1940’s Pinocchio)
  10. Whistle While You Work (from 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  11. Reprise conclusion: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

List of Significant Flagship Locations for The Disney Store and other Establishments

Here we have a list of significant locations for Disney’s international specialty store chain, the simply-named Disney Store. Several of these locations are flagship stores in prominent shopping districts. Others are one-off locations catering to specific lines of Disney products and merchandise, alongside subsidiaries that don’t bear the Disney brand.

  1. Chicago Flagship Store – opened 1999 on the “Magnificent Mile”
  2. New York City Flagship – originally opened 1994 at Fifth Avenue, it closed 2010; new flagship located on Times Square (1540 Broadway) opened same year
  3. UK Flagship – opened 1990 in London
  4. Japan Flagship – opened 1992
  5. China Flagship – opened 2015 at Lujiazui, Pudong in Shanghai; it’s currently the largest Disney Store in the world, with opening day having customers waiting for 3 hours before being let in
  6. Ireland Flagship – opened 2011 in Dublin
  7. Germany Flagship – opened 2017 in Munich
  8. The Magic of Hong Kong Disneyland – originally opened 1994 in a New Territories shopping complex, now closed; last operating store at Hong Kong International Airport
  9. Disney Baby Store – opened 2012 at Americana at Brand complex in Glendale, CA; the city is also the site of the original Disney store, opened 1987 at Glendale Galleria; sells items from the Disney Baby product line
  10. Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store – opened 1998 at El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood
  11. Character Warehouse Outlet Store – sells Disney overstocked and discontinued Disney merchandise from Disney Parks; Character Depot at Murfreesboro, TN counts as flagship, opened 2012; original location opened 2007 at Midvale, Utah and closed in 2008

List of Volumes from First Series of “Disney’s Sing-Along Songs” (1986-1989)

In 1986, Disney introduced to their home video audience fans a new musical series called Sing-Along Songs. First framed as a music class taught by Professor Owl from the Disney cartoon shorts Melody and Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom, the specials took songs and musical sequences from all Disney media then available – animation, film, TV series – and presented them as karaoke tracks with a bouncing Mickey head over the lyrics.

This week we’ll start off with a list of volumes from the first Disney’s Sing-Along Songs series, released from 1986 to 1989. Each volume title is from the featured song among the selection of musical numbers included in the “album”.

  1. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (1986, 11 songs)
  2. Heigh-Ho (1987, 11 songs)
  3. The Bare Necessities (1987, 11 songs)
  4. You Can Fly! (1988, 10 songs)
  5. Very Merry Christmas Songs (1988 original release, 17 songs) (2002 DVD re-release, 23 songs)
  6. Fun with Music (1989 original release, 13 songs) (101 Notes of Fun recompilation, 15 songs)