News

Adventure movies are often blockbusters and box-office hits for a reason, as they connect with audiences of all kinds and follow stories that everyone can relate to. The 1970s were a decade of change and innovation both within film and television and in the social and political landscapes. Many of these films reflect the interests and beliefs of viewers during this period and interrogate deeper messages and conversations about humanity beneath the sweeping journeys of the heroic characters. A key feature of any classic adventure movie is that the protagonist must be a champion worth watching.

While there are many great nostalgic adventure movies from the 1980s, the '70s shouldn't be overlooked for the decades' contribution to cinema. In both animation and live-action, the adventure genre thrives since visual style and innovation are what set the best of these narratives apart. Creative ways of utilizing visual effects, including amazing practical sets and costumes,...

Animated feature films are hard to make. Incredibly expensive and time-consuming, the financial risk of making a full-length animated film has scared away investors since the 30s, and many a studio has bankrupted itself trying to achieve the near impossible. While some have tried and failed, like Upa (owners of the Mr. Magoo IP) and the famed Fleischer Studios, only the Walt Disney Company saw anything that could be considered maintained, widespread success in the field for almost 50 years. It wasn't until Ralph Bakshi's adult, counterculture-influenced films of the 70s and the gradual exposure of the rest of the world to Japan's anime features that non-Disney, feature-length animation found any real, continued the success. However, it took until one Disney animator left the company in frustration on his 42nd birthday in 1979 and founded a studio for a major competitor to Disney's long dominance to emerge.

That animator was none...

Disney has been the standard for film and animation by continually telling stories that evolve and deeply impact audiences of all ages, exploring a multitude of themes and even serious, real-life issues. Whether it’s Snow White or Moana, Disney sets out to do the impossible: a female lead persevering and evolving in a magical and animated way. As the princesses' characters have evolved, so have the delivery media of 2D animation and live-action retellings of classics.

Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora, also known as Walt’s princesses, helped the studio become the blueprint for storytelling through magical 2D animation and story development. The second generation of princesses, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, and Pocahontas, mimicked the Broadway musical format that gave each princess their own voice. With the popularity of 3D animation came yet a new generation of princesses who were even more versatile: Elsa, Anna, Moana, and Tiana were...

Disney+’s “Sketchbook,” streaming now, is a fascinating and emotional look at the artists behind your favorite Disney characters.

The set-up is simple: each episode has an animator instructing you on how to draw a Disney character. Their instructions are informative and easy to follow, but the real treat of each episode is getting to know the animators a little better. You hear them talk about coming to the studio and navigating various productions, all the while offering helpful hints and gentle encouragement.

One of the very best episodes involves Eric Goldberg, the animator behind the Genie in “Aladdin” (the character he instructs you how to draw), Louis in “The Princess and the Frog” and Phil in “Hercules,” among many others. (He also co-directed “Pocahontas” and directed two segments of the underrated “Fantasia 2000.”) Incredibly, he stuck with the studio after it almost exclusively switched to computer animation, providing 2D...

If you’re a new parent, you know that finding quality movies for your toddler can be a challenge. You want something to keep them entertained, but you also wish to be educational and age-appropriate. Luckily, Disney has a wide selection of great movies for toddlers that will please everyone in the family.

Everything You Need to Know About Disney’s “Baymax!” Series

Disney movies are a cherished part of childhood for many young kids. From classic tales like Cinderella and Snow White to modern-day hits like Frozen, these movies capture kids’ imaginations around the world.

For toddlers, many Disney films can be a fascinating way to learn about the world around them. The vibrant colors and catchy songs help to engage young minds, and the stories often teach kids valuable life lessons.

Whether your toddler is fascinated by animals or loves to dance along with the songs, there will...

After five years of combining animated short subjects, and a combo live-action/animation feature, Disney dove into full feature animation fantasy again with the most basic of Fairy Tales. Just because he learned to create animation for a price doesn’t mean that the quality slacked off — the wondrous design and animation is augmented by terrific songs. Yes, half the picture is about cute mice and birds and other critters … which are done so well, the show is worth seeing multiple times. This handsome Signature Collection release follows earlier Diamond and Platinum releases … and don’t ask me to decode that classification system.

Cinderella

Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Code

Walt Disney

1950 / Color / 1:37 Academy / 75 min. / The Signature Collection / Street Date June 25, 2019 / 39.99

Voice Actors: Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Lucille Bliss, Rhoda Williams, Verna Felton.

Songs: Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston

Directing Animators: Les Clark, Marc Davis, Norm Ferguson, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl,...

The new Blu-ray/DVD/Digital release of Walt Disney’s Peter Pan includes the bonus features from previous DVD releases plus a few additions, including Growing up with Nine Old Men, a short documentary in which Ted Thomas, the filmmaker and son of top Disney animator Frank Thomas, checks in with the children of the other artists who were nicknamed the Nine Old Men. There are no revelations or airing of dirty laundry, but if you’re a diehard Disney buff you’ll enjoy learning about the personal lives, families, and hobbies of such animation titans as Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Ward Kimball, Milt Kahl, Wolfgang Reitherman, Les Clark, and John Lounsbery. (Marc Davis and Eric Larson...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]...

The Rescuers

Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, Art Stevens

Written by Larry Clemmons, Vance Gerry, Ken Anderson, Frank Thomas, Burny Mattinson, Fred Lucky, Dick Sebast, Dave Michener

Starring Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, Geraldine Page, Pat Buttram, George Lindsey

One of the most fascinating aspects of our podcast is watching the struggle within the Walt Disney Company to blend reality and fantasy. From the beginning, Disney had stated that he wanted movies like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to be perceived as films for adults, as opposed to films for children or families. I’m always heartened to see that comment brought up in modern conversation, because the stigma that animation is specifically for children hasn’t ever dissipated in popular culture. What frustrates me is the film Disney refers to, and how it became a template of sorts for the animators and filmmakers who work at the Walt Disney Company.

Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (see Alex’s review here ) heralds a return to the 2D hand drawn animation of yesteryear.

To celebrate the revival of an old art form we’re offering ten of the finest traditional animations for your delectation. This list represents our personal favourites so don’t be upset if your own doesn’t appear or go ahead and be upset, just keep it to yourself.

What are you favourite 2-D animations? Leave us a comment, suggestion, etc.

The Emperor’s New Groove (Mark Dindal, 2000)

A spoilt Emperor plans to bulldoze a village and replace it with a water park. He’s then transformed into a llama and gets to spend some time with the subjects he plans to displace in this neglected gem from 2000. Pixar’s success had put a ball and chain around Disney’s early nineties revival and dropped it down a well.