Well as you all know, I’m a HUGE fan of animated films. And this semester in college, I’m taking a course entitled FIL 4040: History of American Animated Films! It’s like a dream come true to actually meet other people who are interested and nerdy about animation, animated films, and its history. So just thought I’d let you all know and if I learn anything interesting, I’ll try to post it on my blog here. Also if there are any projects that I have to do, I’ll also try to post them on here. I’m sooo excited 😀 !
Come once upon a dream with me as we investigate Disney’s 16th animated feature, “Sleeping Beauty”. Released in 1959, this film was meant to be a masterpiece. Intricate detail was put into the animation and backgrounds. Two versions of the film were made: a widescreen version and a regular version. And to top it all off, this was the most expensive animated Disney film to date! Walt and his crew were hoping for this to be a success! Was it? No!
Like “Alice in Wonderland”, this film was not an initial success, but rather saw box office profits through future re-releases. The underperformance of this film was the reason that Walt decided not to make another animated film based on a fairy tale again. And the Disney Studios would not make an animated film based on a fairy tale until 1989’s “The Little Mermaid”. Continue reading “Disney Canon-Forgotten/Minor Characters #16: Queen Leah”
Traveling along the Disney Canon, we have to embark at the 15th stop: “Lady and the Tramp”. Yes, released in 1955, the love story about two dogs of different statuses has made its way into the hearts of many! The story is an interesting one: it’s based on a story man’s dog, based on a short story in “Cosmopolitan Magazine”, inspired by an actual event involving Walt Disney and his wife, and/or possibly plagiarized from feminist MarÃa Lejárraga.
“Walt, if you grant me accreditation, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you!”
Whatever the main inspiration of the film, we all have to agree that this movie is pretty much perfect! I personally have no problems with it. The animation, backgrounds, and character designs are perfect and beautiful. The characters are lovable. The voice acting is admirable (even if including, arguably, the first use of a celebrity voice in animated films),
Blue Sky Studios’ Inspiration!
the story is precise, and the movie keeps you entertained. I honestly wouldn’t consider it to be one of my favorite Disney films, but it’s still an amazing work of art!
Let’s fly to Neverland, folks! We are viewing Disney’s 14th animated feature film, “Peter Pan”. Released in 1953, the film was a commercial success after the somewhat failure, “Alice in Wonderland”.
The film’s story, again extremely well-known, is about a boy who doesn’t want to grow up named Peter Pan. He lives in a fantasy world called Neverland where he has fun with the Indians, talks with the mermaids, and battles the villain Captain Hook and his gang of pirates. After Peter Pan loses his shadow in the house of the Darling family,
Sneaking off to Dreamworks Animation to sell a story idea!
So I’ve finally seen this film that (hopefully) ends the “Madagascar” franchise with a trilogy! I was never a fan of the “Madagascar” franchise and never thought much of the other two movies! So the fact that I actually LIKE this movie is somewhat of a shocker! And although I do like it, I also think that it’s not a great movie nor is it perfect. So with that in mind, let’s take a deeper look into this movie and my thoughts regarding it. Continue reading “My Thoughts: MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED (2012)”
I hope you’re not late, not late, for a very important date; because we have to venture into Disney’s 13th animated feature, “Alice in Wonderland”. This was a film that Walt Disney had wanted to make for a long time, even before “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”; but due to various reasons, the film was finally made and released in 1951. Sadly though, it was not a box office success and had to wait over 20 years to be re-released in theaters! During its re-releases, the movie became a financial hit and an animated classic; possibly due to people seeing it as an LSD trip of sorts!
There’s no knowing where we’re going! Or which way the river’s flowing!
Whatever the reason, we all can agree that “Alice in Wonderland” has got to be one of the most strangest books and films that we’ve ever read or seen in our lives! And in my opinion, what makes this movie so likeable and perfect are its characters: its PLETHORA of characters; its PLETHORA of ODDBALL characters; its PLETHORA of MEMORABLE ODDBALL characters! So picking a forgotten one was a bit of a challenge, but I managed to complete that task! Let’s follow the Mad Hatter and March Hare’s advice by starting at the beginning and when we arrive at the end, stop! Continue reading “Disney Canon-Forgotten/Minor Characters #13: The Mome Raths”
Goodness Glaciers! Another Don Bluth film?! Yes, but it should be the last one for a while. Released in 1995, the film was panned by the critics and wasn’t a box office hit. It featured the voices of Martin Short, James Belushi, and Tim Curry among others; but that wasn’t enough to make the film a hit! Now, is this film as bad as people and critics make it out to be? Honestly, I don’t think so! But then again, after you watch “A Troll in Central Park”, anything else seems like a masterpiece! Anyway, let’s take a look at this animated flop! SPOILERS ALERT! Continue reading “My Thoughts: THE PEBBLE AND THE PENGUIN (1995)”
Disney Toon Studios’ “Planes”, originally meant as a direct-to-DVD release, has been allowed a theatrical release on August 9, 2013. The CGI film takes place in the world of Pixar’s “Cars” franchise, but instead focuses on the vehicles of the air! Current attached voices include Jon Cryer, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, and Carlos Alazraqui.Â
Yes, it’s Don Bluth time again! So let me just open up by saying that I think this is one of the WORST animated films I’ve ever seen. It’s not that far from “Doogal” on my list. With that compelling introduction out of the way, let’s proceed. Continue reading “My Thoughts: A TROLL IN CENTRAL PARK (1994)”
The Animation Commendation 