Movies & Books

Spring Forward with a New Alice in Wonderland 2 Trailer

13 March 2016 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Don’t be late to catch the latest Alice Through the Looking Glass trailer, released just in time to spring forward as we changed the clocks last night. See it below:

Here’s the official synopsis of Through the Looking Glass:

Alice Kingsleigh (Wasikowska) has spent the past few years following in her father’s footsteps and sailing the high seas. Upon her return to London, she comes across a magical looking glass and returns to the fantastical realm of Underland and her friends the White Rabbit (Sheen), Absolem (Rickman), the Cheshire Cat (Fry) and the Mad Hatter (Depp), who is not himself. The Hatter has lost his Muchness, so Mirana (Hathaway) sends Alice on a quest to borrow the Chronosphere, a metallic globe inside the chamber of the Grand Clock which powers all time. Returning to the past, she comes across friends – and enemies – at different points in their lives, and embarks on a perilous race to save the Hatter before time runs out. Presented in Digital 3D™, Real D 3D and IMAX® 3D, Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” opens in U.S. theaters on May 27, 2016.

REVIEW: Zootopia is a Whole New World of Disney Animation

3 March 2016 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

I will admit it, when I first heard about and saw snippets about Zootopia, I wasn’t super excited. “Another movie about animals that can talk,what will make this one any different,” I thought. I then saw the sloth DMV scene at the D23 Expo, laughed, and thought it had some promise. I do love Jason Bateman, and hearing him as the voice of Nick Wilde for over an hour couldn’t be too bad, right? Once home from the D23 Expo over the summer, I kind of forgot about it until recently, when I was able to attend a screening. I had seen a few little promo pieces about it, and saw that they were trying to make the Zootopia universe relatable by changing common things we were used to with “Z” words (zoogle rather than google, zuber rather than uber, etc.) I was then worried that it would be too corny, trying too hard. But really, that’s only in the marketing. In the actual movie, I was relieved to see, the gags and puns are little rewards for keen-eyed observers.

As a side note, I’ve found, in recent years, Disney marketing does tend to go a little overboard on the jokes of site gags found within its animated films, as if trying to ensure these things catch on and “go viral.” While I totally understand this is a necessary evil of marketing on this scale, it’s no less annoying, to me personally, and really makes me wish I could just watch things sight un-seen and make my own judgments from there. But then again, I’m not a typical movie-going Disney fan. I don’t laugh at all the jokes I’m supposed to, and do tend to like more subtle attempts at both humor and any moral-of-the-story lessons. So, maybe it’s just me.

In any event, I was proven wrong in my pre-judgment of Zootopia. Very wrong. I loved it and I think it has the true distinction of being engaging and relatable to everyone and every age. In addition, the universe created for the film and the city of Zootopia is absolutely amazing and so infinitely detailed, I want to live in each of the distinct little areas of their world. The opening scene of the movie tells all the backstory you need to know about both our main character, Judy Hopps, and the world of Zootopia itself. The different neighborhoods are perfect homes for the various types of animals best suited to that environment; Sahara Square for desert animals, the Rain Forest District for those used to jungle environments, Tundratown for polar bears and other cold-weather animals, along with Bunnyburrow, where Judy is from, and Little Rodentia, for the tiniest mammals (the scenes in this area are among my favorite in the movie), while the downtown area Savanna Central, is a bustling city environment where animals from every climate and environment come together to work and live.

Judy Hopps is, at the end of the day, a glass half full kind of bunny. She is an eternal optimist, not only in life, but in her own self-confidence. Despite the motto of Zootopia being “where anyone can be anything,” there is a sort of unwritten rule that in certain situations (when bunnies want to become police officers for example), that isn’t really the case. Judy is determined to prove them wrong, and most importantly, prove to herself that she can be and do anything, and do it well. What follows when Judy does graduate as the first bunny from the police academy, is, at the heart of it all, a buddy comedy. I can actually picture the storyline of Zootopia (minus some animal-specific aspects) translating to a live-action film with humans rather than animals, and that’s perhaps the best compliment for the writing and strength of the plot.

Another major-yet-more-subtle subplot to the movie is the idea of prejudice, profiling of different types of people (or animals in this case). As mentioned above, the animals in Zootopia may claim to be evolved and accepting of all different types of species and allowing them to be anything they want, but there are several lines and situations within the film that directly correlate to our own real-world racial profiling and embarrassingly stereotypical actions – “other bunnies can call each other cute, but other animals can’t call a bunny cute” for example. This may go over the average kid’s head as a funny throw-away line, but adults watching know where it’s coming from, and if it sparks conversation among parents to their kids, all the better. In any event, I love when “kids movies” don’t pander to kids and leave modern and important themes out of the mix. It is possible to have a fun story, animated characters, and important life lessons in one film. Zootopia does that with ease.

I won’t drone on with (much) more analysis of plotlines and characters, but I will say (again) that I loved Zootopia, I loved the message that it tells, and how it tells it. There was not a princess in site, and there was absolutely no feeling of “oh, this is a female empowerment theme” because the whole point of the story is literally, anyone can do anything, and that they should, if they want to. That we shouldn’t judge others based on preconceived notions, and although someone may do something differently than us, it doesn’t mean it’s any less right or valid. And I loved that take-away. I took my 7 year-old son to the screening I saw, and I love that he was exposed to those messages probably without even realizing it. Judy Hopps failed a few times, but kept going, learning all along the way. Nick Wilde lived his life one way because he thought that’s how he had to, and learned that he could and should do more. I hope it sticks in his little sponge-like brain to – as pop sensation Gazelle (played by Shakira) sang in the movie – “Try Everything.”

This was a movie I instantly wanted to see again, and cannot wait till I can do just that. The animation itself is gorgeous, robust and detailed. The character acting is great too, Idris Elba as the Chief of Police is so fun to listen to, as is J.K. Simmons as the mayor, and Nate Torrence as the lovable police station cop, Clawhauser.

I’m excited for Zootopia to be released and have a presence in Disney parks. A meet and greet has already been announced for Disney California Adventure, and Judy and Nick will join the “Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It!” Street Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, both happening this spring. My son has already asked for a Zootopia backpack and lunchbox, so that means the movie has reached Star Wars level approval ratings in our home.

I’d love to hear what you think if you see Zootopia this weekend!

Disclaimer: I attended a free screening of this film in order to write this review. As you can see, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Good Dinosaur Blu-Ray and DVD with 2 Hours of Bonus Features

22 February 2016 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, February 23, Disney Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur releases on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD and it will be packed full with 2+ hours of bonus features! Bonus Features include:

BONUS:

Digital HD*, Blu-ray Combo Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA)

THEATRICAL SHORT – Sanjay’s Super Team – Sanjay loves the world of cartoons and comics, while his father tries to draw him into his Hindu traditions. Reluctance quickly turns into awe-inspiring adventure as the boy embarks on an amazing journey, returning with a new perspective they can both embrace.

TRUE LIES ABOUT DINOSAURS – We know – it’s preposterous to think Apatosaurs spoke English. Learn more about what separates the fictional dinosaurs of “The Good Dinosaur“ from what scientists know about real dinosaurs.

RECYCLOSAURUS – Pixar takes creative competition seriously. Maybe a little too seriously. Watch as “The Good Dinosaur” crew competes to see which department can create the best dinosaur ever…using only discarded items from the studio’s “free table.”

THE FILMMAKERS’ JOURNEY – Finding your way from an idea to a film takes a lot of exploration. Director Peter Sohn and his fellow filmmakers talk about the challenging, inspiring, and unexpectedly emotional experience of making “The Good Dinosaur.”

EVERY PART OF THE DINOSAUR – The filmmakers talk about the special animation challenges of “The Good Dinosaur” – including figuring out how to animate a dinosaur who’s really a boy, and a boy who’s got the spirit of a dog.

FOLLOWING THE T-REX TRAIL – Follow the filmmakers as they travel to a working cattle ranch and meet the McKays, a close-knit family whose work ethic, generosity, and stories inspired the T-Rex ranchers of the film.

COMMENTARY – Commentary from director Peter Sohn, story supervisor Kelsey Mann, supervising animator Mike Venturini, director of photography/lighting Sharon Calahan, and supervising technical director Sanjay Bakshi.

DINO BITES – Montage of original animated pieces produced to promote “The Good Dinosaur.”

HIDE AND SEEK – A short animated clip produced to promote “The Good Dinosaur.”

DELETED SCENES:

The Attack – An idyllic introduction to the family farm is cut short when a savage predator attacks the newborn Arlo. With an introduction by Director Peter Sohn.

Building the Silo – An admiring Arlo is thrilled to follow along as his father builds a silo for the family farm. With an introduction by Director Peter Sohn.

Waiting for Poppa – Arlo awaits the return of his beloved father on a stormy night, only to be greeted with tragic news. With an introduction by Director Peter Sohn.

Blu-ray 3D & DVD:

THEATRICAL SHORT – Sanjay’s Super Team

Digital Exclusive:

JUST LISTEN – Trace the development of the unique soundscape of “The Good Dinosaur,” from the wilds of British Columbia as Sound Designer Craig Berkey collects sounds, to the recording studio where Jeff and Mychael Danna use instruments from around the world to create the music.

Lots of behind-the-scenes fun, which I know I always find interesting – both for the technical aspects of how the films are created, and the stories behind the story so to speak; how the writers and animators came up with the choices they made within the film. Pick it up Tuesday everywhere!

I missed reviewing The Good Dinosaur when it came out in theatres, because I was getting married at the time and getting to screen it just didn’t work out timing-wise. However, I did get to see it on our mini-honeymoon on the Disney Dream cruise ship (I love that you get to see first run movies on board!). I went into the film thinking I would cry uncontrollably, and it would become another Pixar-heart-wrenching-actually-more-like-heart-ripping-soul-gutting storyline that they are now famous for, where, parent or not, you are rendered a blubbering mess because of the storyline they’ve laid out in front of you. And yes, I did cry. Well, almost. My eyes welled up a bit. But that was it. Trust me, I was more shocked than anyone that I didn’t really care for the story…or the characters.

I’m not sure if it was the design of the dinosaurs, which seemed almost plastic or rubber in nature, or the strange side-stories with western “cow-rustling” dinos, or perhaps just Arlo’s personality…but whatever it was, it just didn’t win me over. I felt like there were a lot of mixed messages there, as a parent, from the dad – telling his son to “make his mark” despite him being miserable and not wanting to hurt (or be hurt) by other creatures, then having a sort of change of heart – only when he saw his son’s life was at risk. Maybe I’m over-analyzing, but as a mom, I just wasn’t a fan. And the personality that came out of that upbringing was a whiny, complainy, Arlo, who wasn’t much fun to watch. Of course, he learned to make his own way, and befriended Spot in the process, doing the right thing and making his own kind of mark.

In stark contrast to my dislike of the dinosaurs animation, was my love of the animated backgrounds. They were just breathtaking. A kind of homage to National Parks across the country, you could definitely see characteristics of many parks found within the film. I could watch the movie again and again because of that.

The world around them, nature and its power, became a character in itself, and again, that part I loved. As a side note, when I showed my 7 year-old the movie that had come in the mail for us to review, I asked if he wanted to watch it and he said no because he didn’t want to cry. So I guess it affected him, which in a way, I am happy about. You always wonder in this day and age, if your children are desensitized to the importance of family, so I was glad to see he was affected in that way. (And he is my son after all, and I cry at (almost) anything.)

What did you think of The Good Dinosaur? Is it one of your new favorites? Or did you have issues with it too? I’d love to hear from you below!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack for review. My opinions (as you can see!) were not affected by this and my thoughts are my own.

First Teaser Trailer for Disney Pixar’s The Good Dinosaur

2 June 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

At the last D23 Expo, we were treated to the announcements of quite a few DisneyPixar projects, including Inside Out, which I’ll be screening tonight with full review to come, Finding Dory (not so much as excited about that one but we’ll see), and The Good Dinosaur.

The official synopsis of the Good Dinosaur from DisneyPixar is this:

“The Good Dinosaur” asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Pixar Animation Studios takes you on an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.

A little more info, from the sneak peek we saw at the Expo…the line about “what if the asteroid missed?” is a brief but important opening to the story. Basically, the “what if” answer is that dinosaurs rule the world and humans do not. This particular dinosaur we’re following, Arlo, is part of a farming family, and he’s not happy. He wanders and finds a human, who he is initially afraid of and annoyed by. And that’s where our story truly begins. There has been some shake-up with this movie, originally directed by Bob Peterson, who left and was replaced by Peter Sohn, and the film was completely turned around and re-imagined according to Pixar. John Lithgow, who plays Arlo’s father said that he went back in and re-recorded all of his dialogue for the film! So perhaps the clip we were shown in 2013 is not the direction they went. Time will tell! In the meantime, enjoy the first official teaser trailer.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR opens in theatres everywhere on November 25th!

THE GOOD DINOSAUR concept art — “The Good Dinosaur” tells the story of Arlo, a lively Apatosaurus with a big heart who sets out on a remarkable journey, gaining an unlikely companion along the way—a human boy. Directed by Peter Sohn (“Partly Cloudy”) and produced by Denise Ream (“Cars 2”, “The Good Dinosaur” opens in theaters Nov. 25, 2015. ©2014 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

New Tomorrowland Movie Posters and Trailer – Review of the Epcot Sneak Peek

20 April 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Over the weekend, an extended preview began on both coasts to showcase Tomorrowland’s May 22nd release. In Epcot, the preview took the place of the much beloved (or much despised from some fans who don’t “get it”) Captain EO starring Michael Jackson. I am firmly in the LOVE category with Captain EO, but I feel like us getting a second chance to enjoy the rag tag band of space misfits led by the infamous Captain EO, and the film itself getting a second life among a new generation was a great gift from Disney to us. I would love if ALL of Epcot could return to its 1980’s glory, but I hold out no hope for that happening any time soon. So if we must say goodbye again to our Captain and his friends, what better to replace them than a film which espouses the EPCOT and futurist philosophy so many of us hold so dear.

The Imagineers have given the Magic Eye Theatre a nice little overlay of Tomorrowland concept art, paired with a fun pre-show featuring interviews with Damon Lindeloff and Brad Bird, relating the movie back to Walt Disney and his vision of the future. The preview itself is a wonderful, long look at the film. I was expecting a 5-10 minute extended trailer, but this was much more. I loved it and it made me even more excited to see the film when it opens. Having taken part in some of The Optimist game last summer at the D23 Expo and seeing part of the filming process at D23’s Destination D last November, I’m pretty invested in this movie and hopeful for its success.

The extended preview is at Epcot as mentioned, and also in Tomorrowland in Disneyland until the movie opens. After that, who knows what the future holds…

Here are the newest Tomorrowland movie posters plus the new IMAX poster just released. If you want to learn more about a few of these characters, check out the preview in the parks!

The latest Tomorrowland trailer just arrived in my inbox – this is a completely different look at the film! I’m not sure how much of the movie will be this action-packed, but this will certainly interest a whole different set of movie-goers from just the history buffs obsessed with the 1964 World’s Fair…what do you think? This may be one of very few films I actually think would be worth viewing in IMAX!

Entertainment Round Up: Star Wars, Tomorrowland, Inside Out, Jurassic World and More

17 April 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This is shaping up to be a very good year for movies. Whether you’re into outer space, inside your head, the promise of the future, or some creatures from the past, you will find something to love in the coming months. I thought I’d put all of the exciting news and trailers and photos into one giant reference post, so you can get all your movie madness in one spot.

You’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard about Star Wars The Force Awakens, the seventh installment of the Star Wars saga, and the new teaser trailer that was released at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim this week. The new trailer is in a word, amazing. In a few more words: it’ll give any Star Wars fan goosebumps. Watch below (because really, there can’t be too much of this good thing!):

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS will be in theaters December 18, 2015!

Website|YouTube|Twitter|

Instagram|Facebook|Google+

Available now, Twitter users will have even more ways to express their excitement and celebrate their favorite pop-culture phenomenon with exclusive new Twitter #StarWarsEmojis. Twitter users who post hashtags representing key words associated with specific Star Wars character and legacy themes will see a small emoji-like icon embedded in their tweets. Tweet the following character hashtags to unlock the first three

#StarWarsEmojis : #C3PO #Stormtrooper #BB8

Follow @StarWars on Twitter to get news & updates for #TheForceAwakens!

While we’re on the topic of the future, the new Brad Bird film, Tomorrowland, starring George Clooney, opens in theatres May 22. There is currently an extended preview on both coasts. Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and Epcot’s Imagination pavilion are both sharing a longer trailer with some concept art and props from the film. I cannot wait for this to hit the big screen. Until then, here’s a featurette to enjoy:

In the animated realm, Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” will be making its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2015 as the Festival’s official selection before opening in theatres on June 19th. The trailers look great, and as a mother of three (two teenagers and a six year-old), I can definitely relate to the wide range of emotions going on up there in the ol’ noggin.

Based in Headquarters, the control center inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind, five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. Fear (voice of Bill Hader) heads up safety, Anger (voice of Lewis Black) ensures all is fair and Disgust (voice of Mindy Kaling) prevents Riley from getting poisoned—both physically and socially. Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith) isn’t exactly sure what her role is, and frankly, neither is anyone else.

When Riley’s family relocates to a scary new city, the Emotions are on the job, eager to help guide her through the difficult transition. But when Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind—taking some of her core memories with them—Fear, Anger and Disgust are left reluctantly in charge. Joy and Sadness must venture through unfamiliar places—Long Term Memory, Imagination Land, Abstract Thought and Dream Productions—in a desperate effort to get back to Headquarters, and Riley.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.”, “Up”), produced by Jonas Rivera, p.g.a. (“Up”), co-directed by Ronnie Del Carmen (“Up”) and featuring an original score by Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Up”).

Hashtags: #InsideOut

Official “Inside Out” Website: http://movies.disney.com/inside-out

Dedicated “Inside Out” Social:

Venturing to another world altogether – Jurassic World revealed a new poster today, featuring Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing face to face with the Indominus Rex. One word comes to mind here too: YIKES! The new worldwide trailer will debut next Monday and the movie opens June 12, 2015.

If you can’t wait to run to the theatre and see these blockbusters, there are some fun titles out on Blu-ray and DVD to tide you over. Academy Award-winning Into the Woods features a whole new song from Stephen Sondheim, as well as all the favorites that made fans fall in love. Here’s a recent tribute to Stephen Sondheim to celebrate the Blu-ray release:

In the Pixie Hollow realm, Tinkerbell and the Never Beast is the latest tale from the fairy friends, this time focusing on an ancient myth of a fabled creature, who sparks the curiosity of Tinker Bell and her good friend Fawn, an animal fairy who’s not afraid to break the rules to help an animal in need. But this creature – massive and wondrous with glowing green eyes – is not welcome in Pixie Hollow – and the scout fairies are determined to capture the mysterious beast, who they fear will destroy their home. Fawn, who sees a tender heart beneath his gruff exterior, must convince Tink and her fairy friends to risk everything to rescue the NeverBeast.But be warned, this is a definite tear-jerker and not for the faint of heart. Here’s a look at the concept art from the film:

Lastly, a DVD and Blu-ray announcement from my favorite Japanese animation house – Studio Ghibli. I love that these classic films are being released on Blu-ray,which makes their beautiful animation even more crisp and clear.

Oscar – Winning Masterpiece Spirited Away and the enchanting fantasy adventure The Cat Returns, will be available for the first time on Blu-ray Combo Pack June 16th!

Spirited Away is a wondrous fantasy about a young girl, Chihiro, trapped in a strange new world of spirits. While The Cat Returns is about a schoolgirl, Haru (voiced by Anne Hathaway), bored by her ordinary routine, saves the life of an unusual cat and suddenly her world is transformed beyond anything she ever imagined. Both are magical animated adventures that will delight and inspire the whole family!

Spirited Away is one of my all-time favorites and apart from My Neighbor Totoro, was my introduction to Hiyao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The music by Joe Hisaishi, the story and the detailed animation is a work of art. I can’t wait to add these Blu-rays to my collection.

That ought to keep us all entertained all summer long and into the holidays! Which title are you most looking forward to seeing?

REVIEW: Disney’s Live Action Cinderella Honors and Updates the Original Tale

13 March 2015 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

I’ve discussed before on this very site, that I was not super into princesses growing up. Unlike those born 10 or so years after me, Disney princesses were not as…well, everywhere as they are now, and have been for the last 20 years. Prior to the Walt Disney Animation Studios release of the The Little Mermaid in 1989, the last princess animated by Disney was Sleeping Beauty, released a whopping 30 years before. Cinderella was 9 years before that, and Snow White 13 years before that. So while Disney did become synonymous with retelling classic fairy tales and giving us beautiful princesses that graced his beloved Disneyland, there were many other stories Disney was telling as well, with someone or something with which everyone could identify.

With the new golden age of Disney animation that The Little Mermaid heralded, audiences were introduced to a new princess pretty much every year thereafter. Add to that the Disney marketing machine, and you have several new generations of children who grew up with Disney princesses surrounding them from birth onward. From clothing to toys to television shows and apps and books and sequels and characters in Disney parks, and on and on…the saturation of Disney princesses has reached deluge level. My point here is, it wasn’t quite like this when I was growing up. So while I do love most Disney princesses in my own way, I’m definitely not an obsessive fan girl about them, wanting to become one or resemble one, or anything else like that. I may or may not be alone in my princessy-overload sentiments, but I tell you all of this as a preface to my review so that you’re aware…I really wasn’t looking forward to another live-action treatment to another Disney princess. My fears and lack of anticipation for this new Cinderella were shockingly (to me) put to rest within the first moments of the film, and my love only grew as the story unfolded. If you want my very concise review: I loved it. If you’d like to hear what I loved and why, continue reading. I will warn you that I’m not going to edit my review around any sort of “spoilers.” This story has been around since the 1600’s – pretty sure there aren’t any spoilers left at this point. That said, if you want to go in to the film blind, feel free to close this out and wait until you’ve seen it, I won’t be offended. If you dare to read on, let’s go!

The story begins a little earlier than most versions of Cinderella. We aren’t just told or shown how kind and patient and generous Cinderella is, we learn why – which is because of the excellent examples set forth by her parents. Cinderella’s mother is someone we don’t usually get to see in this story, or Cinderella’s relationship with her parents. Their family is truly one of a fairy tale; her merchant father is gone for long periods of time, but always returns to the love and affection of his wife and daughter. His staff at their family manor is well cared-for and loyal. Seeing how her parents treat others, and having her mother foster her belief in fairies and magic, we learn why Cinderella has such a wonderful foundation to grow into her adult personality. That foundation is challenged with the death of her mother. One of her mother’s last bits of advice is for Cinderella to always have courage, and be kind. Cinderella takes these words to heart, not only to carry out her mother’s wishes, but because she truly believes the words. I didn’t view Cinderella as this sickeningly sweet goody-two-shoes, but as someone who was truly good, despite her trials and heartbreak – she does not let the bad things that happen to her define her – her goodness defines her, above all.

Another backstory we are treated to is that of Cinderella’s father’s reasons for marrying Lady Tremaine. We don’t get intimate details of that relationship, but I certainly had a better understanding of why he married into such a horrible family. We also learn that his first wife, Cinderella’s mother, is never far from his thoughts or heart. I appreciated this tiny subplot, as it made the next chapter of the tale believable. When her father passes away too, Cinderella’s trials begin as she is relegated to the sole cook, maid, and caretaker of her ridiculously vain and ill-treating step-sisters and step-mother. Sitting there watching, I was instantly affected thinking, we need more of this in the world. Kindness. Courage. We later learn a bit about why Lady Tremaine is the way she is, but it does not excuse the behavior.

Unlike past versions of Cinderella, in this film, Cinderella happens upon the prince on her own, without benefit of a fairy godmother’s makeover, just her true, unadorned self. And the prince falls head over heels for the person that Cinderella is. This is such an important distinction, that is revisited later in the story as well. As a child, I never thought, “oh, she gets made over by the fairy godmother and that’s the only reason the prince noticed her: her beauty.” But I can see how this is the message that was received for ages and generations, and it is of course, an unhealthy one. (And probably why I always prefer when the Disney princesses are portrayed in their “non-princess” attire.) Cinderella is a strong, independent woman when she meets the prince, and does not change herself or hold back when she speaks to him, all while remaining true to her character of kindness and courage. It’s so wonderfully refreshing to see.

This new twist leads up to another different aspect of the new Cinderella – the relationship between the prince and his father, the king. As a mother of two sons, I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled, to see the loving, caring, affectionate father/son relationship portrayed. As much as I loved Cinderella as a character, I was just overwhelmed by the choice to show this side to the king and prince. It is relatively unheard of to show a vulnerable father as a king, much less a prince who shows actual love and appreciation of his father. I just can’t praise this enough. I hope that more fathers and little boys actually see this film, so that the effects of this positive display can be felt.

Now I’d like to move on to one of my favorite parts of Cinderella – the transformation scene with the fairy godmother. This scene actually made me cry. Why? Well, I am unsure if it was intentionally done, or it’s just me grasping at a correlation or being overly emotional, but I’d like to think my thoughts are well-founded. When watching Marc Davis (the amazing animator and Disney Legend responsible for so many memorable animated characters, attractions and more), discuss his career, he is often quoted as sharing a story of when Walt Disney himself was asked what his favorite bit of animation was. Walt answered that it was the scene where Cinderella got her gown. Marc, ever humble and modest but also honored, smiles and admits how that was a pretty special moment for him, having been the one to animate that scene. The scene in the movie, in my mind, pays an incredible tribute to both Marc Davis’ work, and Walt Disney himself. It is overwhelmingly beautiful and combines just the right amount of special effects to look almost animated in some aspects. I was just overcome, watching that scene and thinking of the two men that brought Cinderella to life so many years before. Yes, I am fully aware that I am a sap. I’m tearing up again now just thinking about it. Anyway, whether it was a conscious nod to the original animated scene or not, it is beautiful, not in any way cheesy, and adds to the inherent enchantment of the film.

While on the subject of visuals, one of the stars of the film in every scene was the costumes. Many of the costumes seemed historically accurate, but what I loved was when there were very obvious departures from what was common during the time period of the story. Lady Tremaine had a decidedly 1940’s look to her style, with fitted, colored pieces in bright shades of green. The sisters had more of a 1950’s feel with colorful tops paired with full skirts. It was such a fun departure of the norm of these characters, and yet all the choices fit perfectly. There were of course obvious tributes to the original animated film, with the color of Cinderella’s gown, as well as her scullery maid outfit. Helena Bonham Carter’s Fairy Godmother was completely over the top and unique to this film, but I loved her portrayal – forgetful but not ditzy, and above all, wants what’s best of Cinderella. Make sure you stay through the credits to hear an old favorite song from our new Fairy Godmother.

Finally, just when I thought I couldn’t love the movie any more, the ending contained a scene which magnifies the message of the film tenfold. I’m paraphrasing here, but the main idea is that what took courage for Cinderella was to appear as herself again to the prince – no dazzling gown, no glass slippers or golden coach. Just her, as she is, living in an attic, covered in soot, talking to mice. I loved that pause for understanding and acknowledgement of where fairy tales go wrong. Real life is hard. People we love go away. Things we want may be out of reach. People may be cruel and hurtful. Remaining true to yourself, being a good and kind person through all of life’s trials, that’s what makes for fairy tale magic. We may not have our own fairy godmothers, but in this day of instant gratification and artificiality, patience, kindness, hard work, and courage through it all, are lessons we all need.

I could go on and on about what I loved from the movie, but these are the main points I wanted to relay. Kenneth Branagh and company have done an amazing job transforming this classic, while keeping its heart and updating its message. It is beautiful from start to finish and I hope you see and enjoy it as much as I did. Cinderella opens today in theatres and IMAX everywhere. I was given access to a press screening, but my opinions and thoughts are my own. I can’t wait to see Cinderella again!

NEW Tomorrowland Trailer Reveals Much More

9 March 2015 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

If you are like me, you’ve been looking forward to this film when it was just a title – Tomorrowland. The name held so much promise and hope…getting to see sneak peeks at the Disney D23 Expo in 2013, was just enough excitement to make believers out of so many. Combined with the alternate reality interactive game The Optimist that played out in California, by fans all across the country before the Expo, leading up to a final adventure where participants received a Tomorrowland pin, the build up for this film has been immense, among Disney nerds like me.

During the most recent D23 Destination D here in Walt Disney World, we were treated to some of the behind-the-scenes secrets about filming in Disneyland and recreating the scenes from the 1964 New York World’s Fair. These scenes have still not been seen elsewhere in any trailers, and with this new trailer released today, we are launched even further into this other world, filled with science fiction and unimaginable realities. We learn that the girl from the trailer has been chosen for a reason – but why? I’ve thought from the first moments seeing the World’s Fair scenes, that those would be flashbacks to George Clooney’s character as a boy…perhaps I’m right, perhaps I’m completely off-base. Whatever the story, it has gotten my interest and I cannot wait to see Tomorrowland on May 22!

For those who may not have been following along for the past two years, the official synopsis is as follows:

Two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

Enjoy the newest trailer below, and feel free to share your theories and thoughts on the the film in the comments below:

February DVD and Blu-Ray Releases from Disney

13 February 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This has been a busy few weeks for Disney DVD and Blu-ray releases, and I think you’ll find there’s something for everyone in the list below. First, a trio of Studio Ghibli films are now available in beautiful HD picture and sound. Pom Poko, Porco Rosso, and Tales from Earthsea are all available as of 2/3/15 to add to your collection.

On the live-action front, Alexander and theTerrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is available as of 2/10 to help out on those really bad days when it feels like everything that can go wrong has and will. There’s also a sweepstakes related to this film, so keep reading to learn more.

Lastly, everyone’s favorite personal home healthcare companion, Baymax and the entire Big Hero 6 gang are soaring to dvd on 2/24. They’ve included some fun bonus features, including the short film Feast, featuring the adorable and heartwarming Winston the dog. Scroll down to learn more about these new and upcoming releases and add them to your Disney film library today!

Disney Presents Studio Ghibli Films: POM POKO, PORCO ROSSO, and TALES FROM EARTHSEA

It’s no secret that I am a huge Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki fan. The stories these films tell and the beautiful animation are works of art which almost always have a lesson to learn about ourselves, or the world we live in. The best part is that as Disney releases more and more Studio Ghibli films in HD quality Blu-ray and DVDs, we can experience these works of art again and again. Now two of the original Studio Ghibli films have been released in HD, as well as the recent Tales from Earthsea. Read on below for synopses if you haven’t already seen these films, as well as what bonus features are included:

Synopsis:

POM POKO

Studio Ghibli presents a film about the clash between modern civilization and the natural world from acclaimed director Isao Takahata. The raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans. In often hilarious ways, the raccoons use their powers to try to scare off the advance of civilization. But will it be enough? Or will the raccoons learn how to live in balance with the modern world? Celebrate the magic of the forest and the beauty of the creatures who live among us in “Pom Poko”—now on Disney Blu-ray for the first time ever.

PORCO ROSSO

Take flight with “Porco Rosso,” a valiant World War I flying ace! From tropical Adriatic settings to dazzling aerial maneuvers, this action-adventure from world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki is full of humor, courage and chivalry. When “Porco”—whose face has been trans- formed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell—infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to get rid of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it’s in the air where the true battles are waged. Will our hero be victorious? For the first time ever on Disney Blu-ray, “Porco Rosso” is a thrilling ride you’ll never forget!

TALES FROM EARTHSEA

An epic animated adventure directed by Goro Miyazaki, “Tales From Earthsea” features the voices of Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe, Cheech Marin and Mariska Hargitay. Based on the classic “Earthsea” fantasy book series by Ursula K. Le Guin, “Tales From Earthsea” is set in a mythical world filled with magic and bewitchment. In the land of Earthsea, crops are dwindling, dragons have reappeared and humanity is giving way to chaos. Journey with Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk, a master wizard, and Arren, a troubled young prince, on a tale of redemption and self-discovery as they search for the force behind the mysterious imbalance that threatens to destroy their world. Featuring a timeless story and magnificent hand-drawn animation, “Tales From Earthsea” is now available for the first time ever on Disney Blu-ray.

Bonus Features: POM POKO – Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailers

PORCO ROSSO – Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailer, Interview with Toshio Suzuki, Behind the Microphone

TALES FROM EARTHSEA – Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailers & TV Spots, the Birth of the Film Soundtrack, Origins of Earthsea

Also out this month is the live-action interpretation of the beloved children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. As a mom of 3, I know we all sometimes have these kind of days, and it’s always interesting when you realize that perhaps you aren’t alone in your “very bad day” (and I know it’s always great when our kids figure this out too!). Alexander… is available now on Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD and is the inaugural recipient of the Common Sense Seal. Find out more including a family photo sweepstakes:

Synopsis: Disney’s heartwarming comedy will have your entire family laughing out loud. Based on the best-selling book, it follows the exploits of Alexander as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life and wonders if bad things only happen to him. But he discovers he’s not alone when his dad (Steve Carell), mom (Jennifer Garner) and family live through their own terrible – and hilarious – day. It will tickle everyone’s funny bone, and warm their hearts as they discover how even on rotten days, families can grow closer.

Bonus Features:
(Digital HD*, Disney Movies Anywhere, Blu-ray)
Alexander…In Real Life
Snappy Crocs & Punch Roos: The Australian Outback Party
Walkabout: A Video Diary
And The Delightful, Magnificent, Very Good Bloopers
“Hurricane” by the Vamps – Music Video

DVD Snappy Crocs & Punch Roos: The Australian Outback Party
“Hurricane” by the Vamps – Music Video

Alexander Funny Family Photos Sweepstakes

Show us your funny family photos! Now you can share those silly, awkward, funny photos that capture the moments that make you laugh out loud! Enter today through March 4, 2015 for the chance to win a four-day, three-night relaxing vacation for four to the Aulani Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii. The package includes hotel, roundtrip airfare and airport/hotel transfer. Please note, the vacation must be taken from May 21-25, 2015.

Check out the contest Do’s and Don’ts before entering on Disney.com or through the Disney Applause app (available for iOS and Android).

Grand Prize includes:

4-day/3-night stay for 4 at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i
Roundtrip airfare
Airport/hotel transfers
Must travel before 9/15/15

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to persons of all ages, who are, as of entry, legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. Minors must get parent’s permission to enter. Sweepstakes begins on 2/11/15 at 12:00:00 (noon) PM (PT) and ends on 3/4/15 at 11:59:59 PM (PT). Limit one (1) submission per person per day. Many Will Enter. One Will Win. Winner will be selected at random. Click here for Official Rules for full eligibility and submission details.

Last but not least (Baymax is a pretty big and huggable guy after all), Big Hero 6 is out on 2/24 in Digital HD/3D/SD, Blu-ray Combo Pack/DVD and Disney Movies Anywhere. My whole family loved Big Hero 6 and we are so excited to add this to our Disney movie collection. It was such a great combination of Marvel comic book action and Disney heart. The bonus features with gag animations and easter egg clip were really fun to watch too. Not to mention (well, I guess I am) the aww-inducing Feast short film. This is definitely a must-add for your movie collection. Here are all the details:

BONUS: Digital HD/3D/SD*, Blu-ray Combo Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA)

FEAST Theatrical Short
The Origin Story of “Big Hero 6”: Hiro’s Journey (hosted by Jamie Chung, voice of Go Go Tomago) – Join the team behind the team that brought Big Hero 6 to the big screen as they travel on research trips to Tokyo and San Francisco and go behind the scenes of this epic film. Explore everything comic-book about Big Hero 6, from director Don Hall’s passion for comics to the story’s roots in a lesser known Marvel property. We’ll talk to Marvel’s Joe Quesada and Jeph Loeb, who were consultants on the film, to learn what makes a good comic-book story, and how these devices were used to help create Disney’s “Big Hero 6.”
Big Animator 6: The Characters Behind the Characters – Join the six lead animators of Big Hero 6 as they talk about each of the characters and how they came to be the heroes they are now.
Deleted Scenes (intro by Directors Don Hall & Chris Williams) – Includes two alternate openings and more.
Big Hero Secrets (Easter Egg) – The movie is filled with Easter Eggs, and this Buzzfeed-type list piece will give you a sampling of some of the hidden treasures in the film. See if you can find this Easter Egg about Easter Eggs! (BLU-RAY ONLY)
Gag Animations (intro by Directors Don Hall & Chris Williams) – For fun, animators made alternate versions of scenes they were working on and threw them into the mix at review sessions. The directors will present some of these gags for the first time to the public in this piece. (DMA ONLY)
Beatmax – Check out some of Baymax’s greatest lines auto-tuned like you’ve never heard before. (DMA ONLY)

DVD:

FEAST Theatrical Short
Big Animator 6: The Characters Behind the Characters
“Big Hero 6” Theatrical Teaser

Click below to bring home these titles today! (affiliate links)

Amazon.com Widgets

Disclaimer: I was provided with these films for the purposes of review, my opinions are my own. Thanks for reading!

Edited to add: Just announced: Into the Woods will be released on March 24, 2015! Lots of great bonus features will be seen when this comes out! I can’t wait!

Digital HD/SD*, Blu-ray Combo Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA)

Never-Before-Seen Sondheim Original Song: “She’ll Be Back”

Meryl Streep performs a compelling new song that sheds a little more light on the Witch’s relationship with Rapunzel. This never-before- seen composition was penned especially for this movie by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, and is seen here exclusively on Blu-ray and EHV. With introduction by Director Rob Marshall.

There’s Something About The Woods

Journey into this mysterious forest to discover how this compelling, new musical was made. Meet Director Rob Marshall and his award-winning team of artists and craftspeople, see how the woods were brought to life…and what they represent to the story…and to all of us.

The Cast As Good As Gold

Emily Blunt. Anna Kendrick. Chris Pine. James Corden. Johnny Depp. Meryl Streep. Meet the remarkable cast of this musical movie, and hear of their affinity for this Broadway classic.

Deeper Into The Woods

Journey even further into the development of the film in these 4 segments

o From Stage To Screen

o Magic of the Woods

o Designing the Woods

o The Costumes of the Woods

Filmmaker Commentary

Film commentary with Director Rob Marshall and Producer John DeLuca.

Music & Lyrics

Get direct access to the musical song segments from the film, with optional sing-along lyrics.

5 Golden Eggs (Easter Eggs)

Book Review: The Art of the Disney Golden Books

5 September 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Zannaland readers are in for a treat, as I’ve finally recruited one of the utmost authorities on Disney books from fact to fiction, from comics to concept art – Scott Otis (or @otisney to some), to share his thoughts in the form of book reviews for us here. Maybe we’ll eventually get him to give us his top 41 Disney Books of All Time too! Please welcome him and enjoy his first review below:

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main… and best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life. — Walt Disney

Hello! My name is Scott and I love books, especially Disney books. So, I’ve decided to start reviewing some of them here. I have an extensive Disney library and hopefully I will be able to write many book reviews for you to enjoy here both from my existing collection and new releases, and hopefully it might influence you to expand your personal Disney library as well. Happy reading!

The Big Little (Golden) Book of Pictures – The Art of the Disney Golden Books by Charles Solomon

There were images in the Little Golden Books I was living in, in the backseat of our car on the way to the grocery store. I would dive in and live there, and it felt good. Even if I couldn’t read then — and I was looking at those books long before I could read — they contained amazing worlds. They were warm, inviting, and delicious. I loved them.

— Chris Sanders, Lilo & Stitch writer-director

When I saw that Disney was going to release a book about the history and the art of the Disney Golden Books, I was incredibly intrigued. Just when I thought Disney had written a book about every possible topic, here comes another one about something I had never even considered. I grew up reading Golden Books just like any other kid of my generation, I would assume. So, I remember fondly times in my childhood where my mother would read me shortened versions of some of Disney’s finest movies and stories through the Disney Golden Books. Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, the Uncle Remus Stories, Cinderella and Dumbo were some of the ones I remembered the most from my childhood.

Especially the gorgeous pictures and vibrant colors. They weren’t exactly like the scenes from the movies, but close enough, and beautiful in their own way. So, it comes as no surprise that the pictures and story art are the standout stars of this book. Its 160 pages are jam-packed with exquisite examples of some of the finest artwork put out by the Disney Studios and by some of its greatest artists.

Walt Disney’s favorite artist Mary Blair is well-represented here, as she should be. Her artwork stands out with its unique interpretations and bright colors. And it’s wonderful to see the dynamic work of such storied Disney legends as, John Hench, Bill Justice, Joe Grant, Bill Peet, Gustaf Tenggren, and Martin and Alice Provensen displayed on the book’s oversized pages.

Mary Blair, 1944. Note her take on Tinker Bell and the Darling children (9 years before the release of Peter Pan) and Lady (11 years before the release of Lady and the Tramp) and Mole (5 years before the release of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad)

The Art of the Disney Golden Books is spread through seven chapters: History, Art & Artists, Memories, Influences, Creations, Discoveries and Legacy. It begins with a history of Disney’s long, symbiotic relationship with the Golden Books and the companies that have published them. It then describes many of the Golden Books artists accompanied by fine examples of their work. The next few chapters include many stories and memories from the animation industry’s finest artists, as well as some of the artists that illustrate today’s Disney Golden Books.

Yes, it’s quite amazing that even today, Disney Golden Books are still being produced and subsequently loved by the newest generation of children. With the recent acquisition of Pixar, all of its wonderful stories are being interpreted into Little Golden Books. And all of Disney’s recent successes from Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph and the incredibly popular Frozen have become Little Golden books too. Overall, I very much enjoyed The Art of the Disney Golden Books. The writing was a little clunky and jumped from artist to artist with little transition, but it effectively told the story of Disney’s Golden Books, a story that I wasn’t previously aware of. And I’m very grateful for it. As I said, the art is the true star here and the book is worth getting just for that. The book is available now in stores and Disney Parks:

Have you all seen this book? What are your thoughts? Do you have a set of Disney Golden books for you or your children? I’d love to hear any stories you may have. And, if you have any recommendations for future book reviews, please let me know.