The Incredible Visual FX of Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

Disney Parks created an official ‘Ride & Learn’ video which offers a tour of the incredible computer-generated visual effects used in Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure ride. Obviously, the first thing I plan on doing after winning the Super Bowl is going to Shanghai Disneyland and riding it.

The ride, which features magnetically-powered boats that allow them to move forwards, backward, and side-to-side, was awarded ‘Best Dark Ride for 2019’ by the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards. For reference, I was awarded ‘Worst Piggy Back Ride of 2019’ by my nephews after my knee gave out and I dropped them in the yard.

I actually rode the Pirates Of The Caribbean ride at Disney World in Florida earlier this year before the coronavirus hit, and it’s still almost entirely animatronic with very few computer-generated visual effects. I love the smell of that water though. And, if I’m being perfectly honest *shakes water bottle, winks* the taste too.

[via Boing Boing]

Reebok x Ghostbusters ‘Ghost Smashers’ Sneakers

Because ghosts need busting and you’re just the person for the job, Reebok and the Ghostbusters franchise have collaborated to release these $150 Ghost Smashers sneakers. Obviously, I must have them and will throw a temper-tantrum when they sell out before I can get my hands on, and feet into a pair.

Available when the clock strikes Halloween (midnight, October 31st), the sneakers feature a distressed look with two Velcro straps (my favorite), the Ghostbusters logo on the tongue, as well as a green ‘Reebok Pump’ pack on the back of the shoe, with hoses leading into the shoe. They aren’t actual Reebok Pumps though – the pack is entirely cosmetic. And, having owned a pair of Reebok Pumps in the past and been entirely underwhelmed with their pumping performance, I’m okay with that.

It’s really a shame they weren’t available before Halloween because, although not canon Ghostbusters footwear, I still would have worn them with the rest of my Egon costume while I sit at home alone this year, throwing candy to the trick-or-treaters outside from my living room window. Hey – out of the flower bed, Princess Elsa! That goes for you too, Spider-Man!

[via Hypebeast]

Human patient put in suspended animation for the first time

Scientists (and sci-fi fans) have been talking about suspended animation for years. The idea that the functions of the human body can somehow be put on "pause" while life-saving medical procedures are performed (or a person is sent into space, a la A...