Reviews

Secretariat (2010)

secretariat

(If this is your first time on this blog, I ask you to read my “About” page first! You can find a link to it at the top left-hand corner of this blog. Thanks!)

In terms of live-action, Disney is known for doing a plethora of sports films, so it’s about time that I reviewed a sports film for this blog. And why not start with the sport of horse racing with Disney’s SecretariatThe film is based on the true story of the racehorse of the same name and its owner, Penny Chenery.

Let’s go straight to the horse’s mouth and see if Disney sports films are good or whether this is just a horse of a different color.

"GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND QUIT HORSING AROUND!"
“GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND QUIT HORSING AROUND!”

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “Secretariat (2010)”

Reviews

The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

thewatcherinthewoods

(If this is your first time on this blog, I ask you to read my “About” page first! You can find a link to it at the top left-hand corner of this blog. Thanks!)

During the ’80s, Disney was trying to make their films more adult/more scary/more non-Disney, so to speak. We’ve seen this already in Something Wicked This Way Comes. Now we’re gonna see it again in this film entitled The Watcher in the Woods. Based on a novel, this film is considered a cult classic to many and after having seen it, count me in with that group. Will you be part of that group too? Let’s take a look!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “The Watcher in the Woods (1980)”

Reviews

Maleficent (2014)

maleficent-dvd

(If this is your first time on this blog, I ask you to read my “About” page first! You can find a link to it at the top left-hand corner of this blog. Thanks!)

When I reviewed Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, I discussed how Disney was making a plethora of live-action adaptations of their animated classics and I prayed that this one in particular would be good.

So, IS Maleficent any good? Let’s find out!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “Maleficent (2014)”

Reviews

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

20000leaguesunderthesea

(If this is your first time on this blog, I ask you to read my “About” page first! You can find a link to it at the top left-hand corner of this blog. Thanks!)

Who doesn’t love a Jules Verne novel? His novels are just great adventure/scientific/steampunk-ish lore that it appeals to everyone with a sense of adventure. And the adventure genre lends itself to great expression through film. And 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is no exception! This Disney film is actually the most famous film adaptation of the novel.

In quite an interesting turn, this film was directed by Richard Fleischer.

He directed many films including Doctor Dolittle, Conan the Destroyer, and Red Sonja.
He directed many films including Doctor Dolittle, Conan the Destroyer, and Red Sonja.

Why was this interesting? Because he was the son of Walt Disney’s animation “rival”, Max Fleischer.

He was the man behind early cartoons such as Betty Boop, Popeye, and Superman. He also directed two live-action animated features, Gulliver's Travels and Mr. Bug Goes to Town. He also pioneered innovations such as the Rotoscope and the bouncing ball on sing-alongs.
He was the man behind early cartoons such as Betty Boop, Popeye, and Superman. He also directed two full-length animated features, Gulliver’s Travels and Mr. Bug Goes to Town. He also pioneered innovations such as the Rotoscope and the bouncing ball on sing-alongs.

Yeah, not every person can employ his competitor’s family members. Even Richard Fleischer was a bit surprised that Walt Disney approved of him directing the film. He even asked Walt if he knew who he was. Walt replied yes, but that he was the right man for the job. And his father, Max Fleischer also supported this decision and wasn’t mad that his son was working for his competitor. And people say that filmmakers are cold-hearted money-grabbers!

"Glad you could make it, Max!" (Hope nothing happens to your son while he works here.) "It's my pleasure to be here, Walt!" (When, oh when, will he drink the tea I drugged him?)
“Glad you could make it, Max!” (Hope nothing bad happens to your son while he works here.)
“It’s my pleasure to be here, Walt!” (When, oh when, will you drink your tea that I drugged?)

Anyway, let’s take a dive into (see what I did there) this review of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Before we begin, I must let you all know that I’ve had some problems playing this movie on my laptop, hence I wasn’t able to get any screenshots from the film as I usually do. As a result of that, this review will be shorter than usual, so I hope you’ll forgive me.

"We shall see whether you deserve our forgiveness, Mark Brown! We shall see!"
“We shall see whether you deserve our forgiveness, Mark Brown! We shall see!”

Now, without further ado, let’s get started! 

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)”