Tag: disney

Reviews

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

The Animation Commendation21 Comments

bedknobsandbroomsticks

(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 people think of a Disney movie similar to Mary Poppins, the one that comes to mind is Bedknobs and Broomsticks. And why not? It shares many similarities with Mary Poppins. They both feature heroines with supernatural abilities, both feature much of the same cast/crew, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks was actually worked on by Walt Disney himself while waiting for the final go-ahead from P.L. Travers for Mary Poppins.

So is the film that’s most similar to Mary Poppins any good? Let’s find out! By the way, I’ll be reviewing the restored edition of the film (the one that makes the movie like 140 minutes long)!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)” →

Reviews

The Lone Ranger (2013)

The Animation Commendation9 Comments

loneranger-dvd-med

(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!)

As soon as I heard about this movie being made, I realized that it was going to be a financial flop! Why did I think this? Well, 2 reasons:

1) The last two attempts to make a movie based on this radio series character from the 30’s were unsuccessful. And if they were unsuccessful in the years 1981 and 2003, I really didn’t see a 2013 film behaving any differently.

The 2013 version shall join his branded brethren.
The 2013 version would most assuredly join his branded brethren.

2) This film kept getting pushed back due to budget concerns and that’s almost never a good sign.

Nevertheless, Disney thought that they could make a profit with this film and even went so far as to secure their beliefs by casting one of their biggest stars, Johnny Depp, in the film. Yet, the film still flopped!

"That doesn't make any sense to me."
“That doesn’t make any sense to me.”

But does that mean that the film is no good? Well, let’s find out! (10 points to people who read this review while wearing a mask!)

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “The Lone Ranger (2013)” →

Reviews

Babes in Toyland (1961)

The Animation Commendation11 Comments

babesintoyland

(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 people think of live-action Disney musicals, films like Mary Poppins or Bedknobs and Broomsticks come to mind. But the first live-action musical film that Walt Disney made was the 1961 film, Babes in Toyland. Based on an operetta of the same name, this would be only the 2nd theatrical adaptation of the film (the other being with Laurel and Hardy) and the first to be shown in Technicolor.

Is it worth watching? Should we give a darn about this Toyland place? Well, let’s find out!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “Babes in Toyland (1961)” →

Reviews

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

The Animation Commendation9 Comments

somethingwickedthiswaycomes

(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 the ’80s, Disney wasn’t doing very well with their animated films, so they tried to make their money on their live-action films by expanding their audience clientèle. How did they do this exactly? They started to make films that were darker and more adult than what you’d expect a Disney film to be. And what better way to break away from your light-hearted fare than by doing a horror film?

Because, you know, Disney's never ever scared us before, right?
Because, you know, Disney’s never ever scared us before, right?

Enter Something Wicked This Way Comes! And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)” →

Reviews

The Game Plan (2007)

The Animation Commendation10 Comments

the game plan

(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!)

There was a time when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was in like every film! His popularity was one that made the studios want him in all their pictures, and Disney was no exception. Let’s take a look at the first Disney film that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson starred in!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD!

Continue reading “The Game Plan (2007)” →

Reviews

The Moon-Spinners (1964)

The Animation Commendation14 Comments

the moonspinners

(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!)

It’s Hayley Mills time again!

goodmorningmissbliss
“Who needs ‘Saved by the Bell’ when you have ‘Good Morning, Miss Bliss’?”

No, we’re here viewing another Hayley Mills Disney film: a film with thrills and suspense…or at least a film that’s supposed to be filled with thrills and suspense. Sit tight as we take a look at “The Moon-Spinners”.

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD! Continue reading “The Moon-Spinners (1964)” →

Reviews

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

The Animation Commendation21 Comments

bridge to terabithia

(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!)

What happens when you get an animator to direct a live-action film that’s NOT based on any of his animated works? Well, this movie is a good way to find out that answer.

Gábor Csupó, famous for producing/animating famous shows such as “Rugrats” and “Duckman”, tries the helm of live-action directing in this adaptation of the novel, “Bridge to Terabithia”. How does he fare? Let’s find out!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD! Continue reading “Bridge to Terabithia (2007)” →

Reviews

Return to Oz (1985)

The Animation Commendation14 Comments

I haven't seen it, but I know it ain't as cheerful as this cover is portraying it to be!

(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!)

MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz” was a musical film that became a classic! It’s been loved and adored by children and families alike for generations. The songs have been instilled into modern culture as well as the characters. Hence it wasn’t long before other film adaptations based on the books were made in an effort to capture the success that “The Wizard of Oz” brought.

The Disney company was also among those who got into the action. Last year, for example, they released a film intended to be a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” called, “Oz: The Great and Powerful”. I thought it was quite good and you can find my review of it here.

But in 1985, Disney make a “sequel” to the classic film entitled “Return to Oz”. It would be nothing like the original film in terms of tone and would instead be a quite dark and macabre tale bereft of songs and musical numbers. Most likely due to this change in tone, the film was a box office flop, but managed to gain a cult following over the years.

So is the film bad or good? Let’s find out on the yellow brick road of reviewing! Ha, see what I did there? Yellow brick road of re….umm…ok…moving on!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD! Continue reading “Return to Oz (1985)” →

Reviews

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)

The Animation Commendation4 Comments

the sorcerer's apprentice

(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!)

It can be argued that the “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment of Disney’s “Fantasia” is the most famous segment of the film. Everyone just enjoys seeing Mickey in his wizard’s hat trying to find the easy way out of doing work by creating chaos of epic proportions!

sorcerer's apprentice fantasia

 Hence, it wasn’t long before someone decided to make a full-length feature film based on that segment. And as you can imagine, the resulting film had nigh NOTHING whatsoever to do with the original segment. But is the film worth ignoring totally? Or can we still find some enjoyment from this wizard’s tale featuring Nicolas Cage? Well, let’s find out!

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD! Continue reading “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)” →

Reviews

The Sword and the Rose (1953)

The Animation Commendation8 Comments

the sword and the rose

(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 Disney’s early years of live-action films, there were a few English-oriented ones. By English-oriented, I mean films that took place and/or were based on events from England’s history or folklore. One such example is the film, “The Sword and the Rose”, a film about Mary Tudor, the sister of King Henry VIII.

Does Disney manage to tell this story truly with no embellishment or fabrication whatsoever? Of course not! With that said, let’s dive into “The Sword and the Rose”.

And remember, SPOILERS AHEAD! Continue reading “The Sword and the Rose (1953)” →