Kick Rocks

MJJ.

Some of you just shuddered a little bit. Others probably got a little emotional. No matter what you just felt, one thing is for sure. Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade is gone... forever! Mwah ha ha!

I remember the first time I ever watched MJJ. It was 2007. I was a brand new College Program kid, and as all new CPs do, I was playing at Animal Kingdom with some of my training group friends. We had just gotten soaked on Kali River Rapids and were heading toward Africa when our path was blocked by some random procession heading down the street. Yes. That procession was Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade. Maybe I was annoyed because it stopped our fun, or maybe because I was drenched, but I thought it was a piece of crap. Little did I know, I would get trained in that piece of crap a few months later.

May 2007 is when my life forever changed. Getting trained in MJJ meant that Disney's Animal Kingdom (or DAK for short) would be my new home. I was nervous at first because I'm a shy guy. It takes me a while to make new friends. There was no reason to worry though. The people there quickly accepted me as one of their own, and I was officially a DAKian. Chilling at Tamu Tamu with Baloo and King Louie before rocking it out with them in parade became my new life. Sure it was summertime, and it was HOT. AS. BALLS. but the old school people took care of me, and I am forever grateful for their generosity.

Top L - clockwise: Baloo and Louie being foolish buffoons; full-timers saying farwell to the best CPs ever; Face Rope and Water with Bernadette and Jamaica Jen; Katie and Christy, I'd be a lost Papa Bear without all their help

After a very brief hiatus when I thought I was going back to school, I returned to Disney in summer of 2008 as a seasonal cast member. These 2-3 years of 4-hour calls (working parade only) are definitely NOT missed. During my broke years I learned a few other roles in parade. Not only was I jammin' with Papa Bear. I had the pleasure of driving the parade floats, causing a ruckus with Br'er Bear, and I guess I enjoyed a few select days having a wing-ding of a time with Goofy.

During my time at MJJ I made lifelong friendships that still last to this day. Some of these people have moved on to bigger and better things, but had it not been for MJJ, I wouldn't have met some of my nearest and dearest friends. We stuck together through the good times and the bad, and we always rocked that jungle no matter how we were feeling backstage. So thank you MJJ for creating some of the best memories a guy could ask for. I wouldn't trade all the shenanigans for anything.

The best of friends causing all the shenanigans!! (Yes I know there's a repeat picture. Sorry it's so AWESOME!)

May 31, 2014 was a bittersweet day for me. Yes, it was the last day of MJJ. Yes, I shed a few tears. Yes, it was past time for parade to go. Out with the old and in with... Avatar... oh wait that's old too. Good job staying current, DAK! (Yes, I know there on sequels on the way. I'm not a fan. Sue me.) I didn't get to work the last day, but thanks to some scheduling finagling I got to watch as my closest friends performed their little hearts out. It was definitely the best I've ever seen parade. Great job to you all!

So after seven years, MJJ is gone. My life is not going to be the same, but I can't say I'm going to miss the parade. I will miss performing in it, especially when I got to jam with my bffs! I'm also grateful for all the friends I made at DAK. I'm glad we were able to close out parade properly: sweating profusely in the hot as balls sun. You all are like a family to me, and I look forward to the next wild adventure life brings our way.

I leave you with this delightful CatPaint

#BYE

My Spidey's Back!

Let me preface by saying I consider myself a huge Spider-Man fan. Comic book nerds may find that statement hypocritical because I've never read any of the comics. I've done enough research of the comics to know about Peter Parker and his amazing adventures, but that's it. I am thoroughly a fan of the movies. To get a little insight of my slightly biased love for Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man flick, please peruse this vignette in Joe Moore's life.

Okay on with the review!

Since everyone is asking, the answer is yes. I have seen The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Yes, I enjoyed it. Do I think it's the best of the films? Not at all. I don't understand why the critics are trashing it though. It's better than its predecessor, and it's certainly better than Raimi's Spider-Man 3, a film that also had one too many villains and numerous plot threads.

The best part of AS2 is the romance between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. Both Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are excellent, and the chemistry between them is dynamite. If you thought they were good in the first film, you will fall in love with them here. They are so cute! They're so good anytime the action starts up, you wish it would stop just so the pair can bicker or gaze longingly into each other's eyes. They even made me shed a tear or two so thanks a lot, you two! No really, thank you.

Speaking of the action scenes, they are much better this go-around. Maybe the first flick was just a practice round for director Marc Webb because he feels a lot more comfortable handling the action. There's some very nifty slow-motion that I dug a lot. The only downside is there's not really a standout action set piece. They're cool, but nothing pops out like either the Aunt May ping-pong or the runaway train sequence in Raimi's Spider-Man 2.

Now for the other downside: the villains. Jamie Foxx's Max Dillon is slightly nerdy with no self-confidence and no friends. We're supposed to feel sympathy for his fate, but the way Foxx played him made the character kinda pathetic and unlikable. Then after the incident that turns him into Electro, he decides to go bad so people will notice him? Dude, you're blue and shooting electricity everywhere. People are noticing you. Then there's Dane DeHaan as Harry Osburn. He makes for a great brooder, but his slide into madness is unfortunately rushed. He is creepy as the Green Goblin though. Don't even get me started on Paul Giamatti's Rhino. His role is a cameo. He's a good fit for the role though so hopefully he'll be better used in part 3 or the rumored Sinister Six movie.

A lot of people are complaining about the mid-section being dull. I don't think so. The mid-section has Peter finding out the truth behind his father's research. That's one plot-line I found the first film threw away halfway through so I was more than thrilled to see it continued and resolved here. Oh, and before I wrap up, can I just say how much I love Sally Field as Aunt May? She and Garfield have a terrific scene halfway into the movie, and I almost cried. Almost.

So no the latest Spidey installment isn't perfect. There's still a part of me that wishes Sony had just left well enough alone, and these two flicks shouldn't exist. However they do exist, and I'm okay with that. Sure, the villains needed a bit more development, and there's no standout action sequence, but as long as you have Garfield and Stone being ADORABLE, that's okay. I wouldn't say the film is a must-see, but it is entertaining. Check it out for yourselves, and let me know what you think!

You Can't Sit With Us!!

Today is the 10th anniversary of the greatest teen flick of my generation. No, not Bring It On. No, not Pitch Perfect (screw that movie). I'm talking about the most awesome movie to come from an awesome time i.e. my awesome adolescence. I'm talking about Mean Girls!

As always here is a little back-story, and by a little back-story. 

I never saw Mean Girls upon its initial theatrical release. The previews looked asinine. I, being a completely heterosexual teenage male, thought the sight of Lindsay Lohan diving head-first into a trashcan and Lacey Chabert admitting she was popular before trust-falling on top of Amanda Seyfried was completely ridiculous. I still don't remember the first time I saw the flick. My sister, our ballet friends, and I watched Moulin Rouge, Eternal Sunshine, Fight Club, and Garden State a lot... but not Mean Girls. 

None for Gretchen Wieners. Bye!

I never thought it was a big deal that Tina Fey wrote the script. Saying that nowadays seems like blasphemy, but 10 years ago Tina Fey was head writer on SNL and reported on "Weekend Update". She wasn't the SUPERPOWER she is today. Her writing is flawless. Fey brilliantly satirized the life of teenage girls while keeping it grounded in reality. Not to mention the dialogue has been quotable for the past 10 years. We DAKians quote Mean Girls every day. I'm not even kidding. At least one quote every single day.

You can only imagine my excitement when I learned the Enzian was showing this great flick on one of their "Cult Classics" evenings. I quickly spread the word to fellow fanatics because I am *SUCH* a good friend. One by one they all dropped out with my "Somebody That I Used To Know" friend Abe using exhaustion and illness as an excuse. All I have to say to that is, "Boo, you whore!"

It turns out it was for the best not many people were able to go. Andie, Alyssa, and I arrived at the Enzian 15 minutes before the doors opened, and there was already a line wrapped around the building. Like, really people? Go away! The whopper was when we walked inside to find 3/4 of the tables reserved. The three of us sat in the back right corner at two separate tables, like a trio of art freaks.

"You can only wear your hair in a ponytail once a week... so I guess you picked today."

I still enjoyed the experience though. I had never seen Mean Girls on the big screen so that was a lot of fun. What made it even better was people would shout most of the popular lines. I'm not talking Rocky Horror craziness, but it was still amusing. It certainly showed that everyone in the auditorium was a huge fan of the movie. 

To make a long story short (TOO LATE), I could not be happier Mean Girls exists. It has become a huge pop culture phenomenon. I cannot imagine life without quips such as "I know right" and "whatever I'm getting cheese fries". I could seriously go all night, but I'm trying to post this before the 10th anniversary is over. So if you don't mind, I'm gonna go have some fun. I'm gonna go to Taco Bell. 

Miracles, miracles. Wow!

It's Easter Sunday!! For the past 8+ years, I've been working all day, whether it was at Kroger, Disney, or Universal. This year I've been fortunate enough to have most Sundays off so guess what? Your lives are about to be enriched with my lastest post! Yay!!

There was a time long, looong ago when Easter was like a mini-Christmas for the Moore clan. Early that morning, we Moore siblings would wake up to see what the Easter Bunny had brought us. It was usually LOTS of candy with at least one gift for each kid. That Easter Bunny knew what was up.

After a nutritious part of a complete breakfast (i.e. candy, duh) it was time to get all gussied up for pictures and church. Below are some gems, as in some are precious and some are just ridiculous. OR maybe all are a healthy combination of both. Anyway, enjoy!

see? precious!

I'm... hesitant... to hold my sister's hand. Hashtag: chicken pox

looking oh so dapper! sistah likes puffy-shoulder dresses. or mom did.

ohh yeah. this one is a gem.

why do I look like I'm about to collect someone's taxes?

oh yeah. Brady Bunch style.

After church, we would head to the grandparents' house for the most important part of Easter Sunday: the easter egg hunt! More candy! Yeah! Oh, and maybe Easter dinner. Food is kind of important I guess.

Sure, that doesn't sound like a lot, but it was the Moore/Caldwell Easter tradition at least through my adolescence. It's also a lot more than I do nowadays. I think the last time I actually celebrated Easter was in 2010. We all got together at the Williamsburg house and watched a movie somewhat relevant of the holiday: Godspell! There's talk of watching that today. I am off all day so who knows.

Before I go, a couple of side notes. It's 4/20, everybody. At least watch the Towelie episode of "South Park", and please party responsibly. Also this past Friday was Good Friday! Yeah, I know. Thank you, Rebecca Black. Ooh! Speaking of Rebecca Black, everybody reading should watch this awesome video. 

Leave your angry comments below.

Just Around the Riverbend

I'm back in the good ol' Newnan for the weekend, and I could not be happier to get away from that stupid rodent for a few days. Seriously this is a much needed vacation.

Last night after watching the terrific Frances Ha (If you haven't checked it out yet, do it now. It's streaming on Netflix!) for the thousandth time, I had a great heart-to-heart with mi familia about what lies in store for me up the road. As most of you know, I am an avid film buff. If you did not know that please head right over here to find out.

Are we finished? Ahem... let's move ahead!

The film industry is something I have always wanted to be a part of. Maybe not always but at least since I was... 11? Okay yeah always. Shortly after I officially moved down to Disney in 2008 is when the film boom exploded in Georgia. Mom sent me newspaper clippings about both Zombieland and Get Low (a cute fable-style movie starring Robert Duvall and Bill Murray) being filmed here. My sister, Emily, spent a day as an extra in the Footloose remake. Also in the past year both "The Walking Dead" and the upcoming Mockingjay have shot scenes in my very hometown. That's right folks. Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth have lived and allegedly hung out in bars in Newnan, GA. Needless to say all this awesomeness was missed by one jealous green monster.

This picture is from "The Walking Dead" episode that aired a couple of weeks ago. Filmed last October. That building across the street with the ramp in front? That's our community theatre. My mother was working inside... while they were filming!! Ugh.

I've said for years it's time to stop being so complacent with my job at Disney and actually get back to the one thing I've always loved. Don't get me wrong. I love performing, and I could not be happier with the time I've spent and the family I've made down at the House of Mouse. I regret none of that. It's just past time to move on, and with Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade closing this summer (more on that subject in an upcoming post), I could not think of a better time to do just that.

Do not fret, Whorlandians. I won't be moving away anytime soon. I'm not the kind to just toss aside my current job of 7 years to move back home without another job waiting for me. I am going to start networking though. My dad happens to know the head of a production company that's building up over in Fayette County (where I used to dance btw). He said he'd put in a good word for me so we'll see where that goes. I've also been chatting with my awesome buddy Nick. I know him from JTA (Jedi Training Academy, for the unaware), and he cuts my hair.

Excuse me while I have a Cataldo moment. "Hairdresser, hairdresser... oh whoa oh"

Anyway Nick's brother Tony is our stage director over at JTA. He also happens to be a screenwriter himself. He and one of his good friends have made a couple of movies over the years. Nick had copies of both and let me borrow them. One was a zombie movie shot back in 2008, and the other was a ghost story shot a couple of years ago. Both are fairly low-budget, but it's pretty cool that I know the screenwriter, and they shot both in the Orlando area! According to Nick, Tony and his friend have already written a new script and are starting pre-production stuff. I think it would be AWESOME to hang out and be a part of the making of an actual movie even if it was just for a day.

So that's what's been going on in my world lately. Lots of exciting things might be coming round the bend here pretty soon. I say BRING IT ON!

Oh and if you didn't understand the Cataldo reference, CHECK OUT THIS AWESOMENESS. You're welcome. Farewell!