January 29, 2018
4DX Review – Maze Runner: The Death Cure
This is a *mostly* spoiler-free review of Maze Runner: The Death Cure in 4DX format. This isn’t designed to a be a review of the movie as much is it’s a review of the 4DX experience for this movie.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure is the action-packed finale to the post-apocalyptic film franchise based on the young adult book series. 4DX shines best in science fiction films like Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner, but Maze Runner seems to keep 4DX on a short leash, causing the film to shine but not the in-theater experience.
The opening sequence showed promise. The strobe lights used to accentuate the title reveal were a unique use of the effect but one that worked well. The strobe lights were used in other unique ways a few other times during the film.
With the film set in the desert and abandoned locales, it’s no surprise the fans were used for large amounts of the film. Numerous fight scenes used the air cannons, but their use in nearly every fight scene seemed to lessen the impact of their use. The same with the rumble effects in the seat. Of course, the seat themselves were strong in their use throughout the film. With everything from a bus to a train to dune buggies featured in the film, this is a great movie for the motion seats.
Without giving too much away, there was one scene where a bit of a surprise happens on screen. It was paired perfectly with the leg ticklers. Like the strobe lights at the beginning of the film, the use of the leg ticklers in this scene isn’t the typical use of this effect but was more than successful in its use here. One or two quick splashes of water did little more than remind viewers that the effect existed.
That, unfortunately, covers almost every single effect used in the nearly two-and-half-hour long movie. I noticed no scents, no snoap, no rain effects, no smoke, and the film was in 2D. Personally, I do prefer 2D for 4DX films but only because the 3D glasses get covered with the snoap and water. Without those effects having the film in 2D seems cheap. I understand that the film hasn’t been released in 3D, but that should mean the 4DX programmers have even more freedom in using effects like rain and snoap.
Even during action scenes where the screen was filled with smoke, the theater had none. Unlike other actions scenes that used snoap for more than just snow effects (like in Blade Runner 2049 where it was used to replicate thick smog particles) here, the effects just sat unused.
The effects used were timed perfectly and used in original ways, but with some few effects, the ones used felt old by Hour Two of the film. I see no reason why this film should pull those debating between seeing it in 4DX and DBox (which just has the motion seats) or even a traditional 2D screening. Wind effects and air cannons can only carry the experience for so long, and here they failed to carry it all the way to the final credits.
Overall, The Death Cure left many unanswered questions, but the one I have the most is why so many 4DX effects sat unused.
-Review Summary-
- Use of 4DX Effects- 1 out of 4
- Movie Overall- 2 out of 4
Also check out my 4DX review of Coco
January 19, 2018
Ep 126 – Artegon Cars, Deadly Trains, and Artsy food
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Artegon has a new owner with Trump connections and tons of cars, the Convention Center Wars heat up with Caribe Royale announcing plans to double their convention space, and Brightline has a deadly first week in operation. Ken talks about the good news and not so good news Haitians were given this week. Plus trip reports from Marvel Universe Live and Epcot’s Festival of the Arts.
Recording Date– January 19, 2018 live on WPRK 91.5
Show Notes
Artegon has a new owner and he’s talking big
The Convention Center Wars heat up with two major new announcements,
Brightline has a deadly first week in operation,
Haitian workers gets an extension, future still very uncertain- http://www.fox25boston.com/news/trending-now/central-florida-workers-relieved-as-work-authorization-extended-for-haitian-refugees/685800208
Hit List-
Orlando declares intent to bid to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic marathon trials
VooDoo Doughnuts confirmed for CityWalk
Starwood’s Le Meridien coming to new hotel beside OCCC
Drone saves swimmers in Australia
Will Talking Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom be losing his voice?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Celebrates Hippo Birth
PR executive leaving Carnival for Travel Leaders Group
Trip Reports:
Marvel Universe Live
Epcot’s Festival of the Arts
January 13, 2018
Ep 125- Orca sex being banned, guests blamed for broken monorails, and slavery themed dinner shows
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On this episode of Orlando Tourism Report, Ed and Ken discuss the latest news including the closing of Green Meadows, the law making its way through Tallahassee that could hurt SeaWorld’s future, the future of beer advertising inside Florida’s theme parks, and the latest fight over Florida’s tourist tax. Plus Ken rants about the awful cast member response to broken monorails, Ed gives a trip report from Edison, and both discuss SeaWorld Orlando’s first Three Kings Day festival.
Recording Date: January 11, 2018
Punch List
Disney
Runoff Rapids Reopens at Disney’s Blizzard Beach After an Extended Refurbishment
Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles opens in new location at the Town Center in Disney Springs
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Debuts New Background Music Loops
New Multi-Use Arena to Open at ESPN Wide World of Sports today
Minnie Mouse Gets Her Own Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Norway Pavilion Bakery Set to Undergo Refurbishment
Orlando Tourism
Green Meadows Petting Farm closing while it looks for new location
Orca breeding bill might end entertainment shows, breeding in Florida
Holy Land Experience announces free day
Florida Tourism
Key Lime Festival coming to Merritt Island
Allegiant Air coming to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport
Elite Airways cancels Pittsburgh service to Sarasota-Bradenton
The Villages inks deal with robotaxi startup
Controversial beer bill moves forward that will allow beer advertising inside Florida theme parks
Legoland Gives LEGO trophy To Last Project X Roller Coaster Rider
Dixie Stampede dropping ‘Dixie’ to become ‘Dolly Parton’s Stampede’
Brightline’s ‘higher speed’ train service will begin this weekend in Florida
January 12, 2018
Ep 124- We’re back!! 2018 News Summary
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Ken and Ed are back in the studio and back on the radio. In this episode, the guys talk about the highlights of 2017 and what they’re looking forward to in 2018.
Orlando Tourism Report’s Twitter
Recording Date- January 5, 2018
December 3, 2017
SideChat – The Florida Project Review (with lots of spoilers)
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Ken, Ed, and Kevin discuss the locally produced film The Florida Project. Ed talks about some of the backgrounds of the actors and Ken goes on a rant against Disney.
Recording Date- November 7, 2017