“Cupcake Wars” winner to move Jillycakes into ICON Park

Famous cupcakes to be baked in The Wheelhouse Market

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 15, 2019) — Favorite local bakery, Jillycakes, is moving mouthwatering, eye-popping cupcake baking operations to ICON Park.

The bakery, owned by Jillian Hopke, season six winner of the Food Network Show, “Cupcake Wars,” is already delivering freshly baked cupcakes daily to Shack Sweets in ICON Park’s Wheelhouse Market. Jillycakes is set to make its full debut there on November 9.

“We are thrilled Hopke chose ICON Park as a base for her entire operation,” said ICON Park CEO Chris Jaskiewicz. “Jillycakes already has a local following. International Drive gives Central Florida businesses, like Jillycakes, the chance for global exposure.”

Hopke will be teaching baking classes at The Wheelhouse Market during the holiday season. Those classes will be open to the public by reservation only.

The Wheelhouse Market is a food hall located at the base of The Wheel at ICON Park, featuring a variety of gourmet options, including Latin 21 Street Food, Sausage Shack, 1905 Pizza & Pasta and Shack Sweets. All are part of Restaurant Tour Hospitality Group. Jillycakes’ freshly baked cupcakes are the perfect complement to current offerings, including authentically prepared, globally inspired foods, like andouille sausage, giant Bavarian pretzels and healthy acai bowls.

ICON Park is getting ready for an exciting 2020 with the opening of Blake Shelton’s Ole Red restaurant. Record breaking thrills are on the way with the world’s tallest slingshot ride and drop tower.

For more information, visit iconparkorlando.comiconparkorlando.com.

ABOUT ICON PARK
ICON Park™ is a 20-acre, walkable entertainment destination in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive. A perfect place to ride, dine, drink and explore, ICON Park has more than 40 amazing restaurants, funky bars, boutique shops and can’t-miss attractions, all anchored by The Wheel, a jaw-dropping observation wheel that stands 400 feet – 40 stories – in the air. Guests at ICON Park can visit SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology and StarFlyer Orlando, the world’s tallest swing ride. Free parking is available in a multi-level, on-site garage, just steps from all the action. Learn more at ICONParkOrlando.com. Follow ICON Park on social media @ICONParkOrlando.

Blu-ray Review “Make Your Move”

Actors: Derek Hough, BoA
Director: Duane Adler
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Run Time: 110 minutes

Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I am getting a little tried of the same movie every time. I can deal with the “Step Up” films because they are amazing to look at and have great dancing but even they are wearing on me. “Make Your Move” is the latest dance from from the co-writer of “Step Up” and “Save the Last Dance”. It makes too big mistaking casting non-actors, Derek Hough from TV’s “Dancing With the Stars” is an outstanding dancer…actor not so much. Same goes for Korean pop star BoA, great singer…not a wonderful actress. Plus the film is nearly two hours long, I was yawning and rolling my eyes and not so much sitting on the edge of my chair by the time this ended.

Official Premise: The music is pumping, the dance floor is moving and Donny (Derek Hough, TV’s “Dancing With the Stars”) stops when he sees the beautiful Aya (Korean pop star BoA) performing with her hip-hop Cobu crew at the hottest underground club in New York. They come from two different worlds, but they speak the same language — dance. When the couple finds themselves in the middle of a bitter rivalry, they must choose between family ties or their love for each other. Now, they must make their move.

Sony usually has been really good about Ultraviolet digital copies but this one does not include one, which is a bit odd. I am not sure why they pick and choose which release gets it and which doesn’t. The 1080p transfer works well with the dance scenes, as does the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks, which delivers with the tunes. In terms of special features we get a commentary track with Writer/Director Duane Adler & Choreographers Napoleon & Tabitha D’umo, a featurette “Making the Moves” and a few Deleted Scenes.

Book Review “The Moogees Move House”

Author/Illustrator: Leslie McGuirk
Reading level: Ages 3 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: November 13, 2012

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

There is something about a book that from the minute you look at the cover you just can’t help but say “Cute”. Leslie McGuirk is the author of this wonderful and beautifully illustrated book. This is our first introduction to The Moogees and I am hopeful that it is not the last. It takes the simple story of a family in search of a home but is much more fun. Leslie is also a FL resident like myself, so I understand where the talent comes from 😉  I look forward to what she is going to do next.

Synopsis: “The Moogees want very much to find a new home. Mama Moogee says, “We need a new place that is on the ground. It would be nice if it were round.” Papa Moogee adds, “I’d love to find a home with class, a nice wide yard, and plenty of grass.” But the three little Moogies just scream, “WAA WAA MOOGEE DOOGEE WEE WEE LOW LUM!” Mr. Ruru, the real estate agent, tries hard to help them find the perfect place, but the Moogees think all the houses are too blue, too expensive, or look like a piece of cheese. Will they ever find a house to call their own? As the Moogees discover, the family you share it with is the most important part!”

The Moogees consists of Mama & Papa Moogee and their three little Moogies.  Having just picked up my family and moved myself, I feel a certain connection to this story. The values in the story are also very important since family is a very special quality that not enough people respect. The illustration are very simple but very eye catching as well.  Leave it to Candlewick to deliver another impressive children’s tale.

Exclusive Interview with Jenny Wright

Jenny Wright made her film debut playing Cushie in “The World According to Garp” in 1982. That same year she appeared in “Pink Floyd The Wall”, playing one of the American groupies. Jenny also appeared in “St. Elmo’s Fire”. In 1987, she starred in the cult horror classic “Near Dark”, which became her most known role. She also was featured in “Young Guns II”, with Emilio Estevez again and also “The Lawnmover Man”. Jenny’s last movie to date was “Enchanted” in 1998. She is recently returning the convention scene after stepping out of the spotlight. Jenny took time to do her FIRST interview, since returning, with Movie Mikes to discuss her work on her well known films.

Click here to purchase Jenny’s movies

Mike Gencarelli: How was working on the film “Pink Floyd: The Wall”?
Jenny Wright: It was great, it was only my second film. I had done “The World According to Garp” after I got my SAG card. I was working on a soap opera called “The Doctor”. “Pink Floyd: The Wall” was really first big movie. Alan Parker met me and hired me right away and sent me to England.

Mike Gencarelli: Did you get to meet the band? Any cool stories?
Jenny Wright: I met the whole band. They were all great, really great. They come to the set and they were very encouraging and enthusiast. Bob Geldof was great. I had so much fun in London. I met a lot of people and went to The Alternative Miss World Contest. It was just so much fun, London is such a great town. “The Wall” might come around again since Roger Waters should be touring with it again this year.

MG: “Near Dark” was overlooked in it’s original release but has since become a classic, how do you feel about the film’s success over the years?
JW: I think the movie was made with the idea of making a good movie, than making a box office hit. Everyone’s part was in the right place and there was really creative element on the set. With Kathryn getting the Oscar, the film might be revisited again, who knows? It is like a lot of good movies they find there audience. The people that know “Near Dark” love it and appreciate it for what it is.

MG: Did you enjoy playing Mae in “Near Dark”?
JW: I loved playing that character. I identified with it a lot. I just got into it and got comfortable with it and kind of let it come alive for itself.

MG: Kathryn Bigelow, just won an Oscar for “The Hurt Locker”. How was she on the set of “Near Dark”?
JW: She was very confident. She co-wrote the script with Eric Red for “Near Dark”. Sometimes there’s conflict between what the writer wants and what the director is going to give them. I think they were in agreement on what the film should be like and she created a very safe, creative environment for her actors. We worked in sort of an ensemble way with each other. Of course Bill Paxton, Lance Hendrickson and Jenette Goldstein have all worked together on “Aliens” again. We were like a little family.

Click here to purchase Jenny’s movies