The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ride with an Atlanta tie prepped UGA for game
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” was filmed at the Pinewood Studios facility in metro Atlanta, and the ride inspired by the Marvel title played a role in getting University of Georgia football players ready to take on Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl.
Players and coaches from both teams visited Disneyland for a pre-Rose Bowl ceremony this week. Afterward, coach Kirby Smart and several Georgia players hopped on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride. It wasn’t for the faint of heart — but it proved to be some high-octane game prep for those who braved it.
“All of us were scared,” offensive end Isaiah Wynn told us afterward. He gleefully revealed that his teammate Sony Michel “chickened out last minute” and joked that Smart’s arm might have been bruised from linebacker Roquan Smith clinging to it during the harrowing ride. But he said the experience was great game day prep.
“It gets your adrenaline pumping,” he said.
See the hilarious video at blog.ajc. com/2017/12/28/uga.
Forward Arts Foundation event marks a milestone
Brrr! The lows are forecast to be in the teens this week. Naturally, that means it’s high time you got your spring look together.
The Forward Arts Foundation, in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, is thinking ahead, as always. The charitable organization celebrated the 25th anniversary of its annual fashion show fundraiser with a Dec. 6 preview of the Oscar de la Renta line of spring 2018 looks.
The event, held at the St. Regis Hotel, was sponsored by Atlanta Fine Homes, Sotheby’s International Realty, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and Travis Reed/Harry Norman, Realtors; along with Wilmington Trust, Elaine and John Carlos, Beacham & Co., Realtors; Campbell & Brannon, Northern Trust and Dr. Anna Pare.
Aimee Chubb and Duvall Fuqua served as event chairs, and Susan Tucker served as honorary chair.
Proceeds will benefit the visual arts in Atlanta through the programs of the Forward Arts Foundation, founded in 1965. The fashionable philanthropists in attendance included Caroline Davis, Sara Hehir, Clayton Howell, Robin Howell, Sarah Kennedy, Jane Lanier, Eileen Millard, Deaver Neal, Bet Pope, Karen Spiegel, Becky Warner, Betsy West and Cathie Wilson.
Locally filmed flicks clean up at Christmas
While “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” dominated the Christmas weekend box office, the two other films in the top three filmed in Georgia.
“Jedi” had a weekend haul topping $100 million, according to stats compiled by industry site Box Office Mojo. Next up were “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and “Pitch Perfect 3.” (They were a pretty distant No. 2 and 3, ticketsales wise; they did a combined $77 million at the box office).
It’ll be tricky to spot Georgia locations in “Jumanji,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas and Bobby Cannavale. It filmed primarily in Hawaii and then wrapped up here. Still, the project spent nearly $35 million here and employed more than 1,200 Georgians, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.