DVD Review: Alice In Wonderland

Disney is known for his animation. But his very first works combined both animation and live-action, like Who Framed Roger Rabbit would do decades later. These live-action/animation shorts were based upon the Alice In Wonderland tales Walt had read in his childhood. And in 1951, Walt created (Arguably) the most famous adaptation of Lewis Carrol's book.

Alice is a small girl who runs down a hole in search of a white rabbit. She learns that she has stumbled into a zany world called Wonderland, where mad hatters and Cheshire Cats roam free. But how can she get home? That's the puzzler...

I am a large Disneyana fan. And, let me just say right now, we are rabid about Walt Disney movies. But for some reason, as a child (and today) I didn't get it. Not only isn't there a plot line, there really isn't an objective throughout. You get the feeling they're missing up great story opportunities that Tim Burton's adaptation did so perfectly.

The voices are great though. The immortal Sterling Halloway does wonders as that perfect Cheschire Cat. And Kathryn Beaumont does her second Disney heroine role here (she also does Wendy in Peter Pan). Still, the film, like Peter Pan, is a bit on the weaker side of Walt's classics.



Rating: 7.1 out of 10

SYS

DVD Review: The Great Mouse Detective

Easily one of the most underrated films in the vast library of Disney films, The Great Mouse Detective delivers on all ffronts: ented rtainemnt, action and animation.

Basil is a famous British detective who finds his old nemesis Dr. Ratigan kidnapping an inventor. Along with his new assiistant Dawson and the inventor's duaghter and his trusty dog Toby, he'll have to stop Ratigan...before it's too late!

Obviously, the film stars mice and the 1986 Disney artists used a lot of creativity here, making this micey world seem very real and using inventive objects to use as halls and stools. However, the main standout has to be Vincient Price as Ratigan. The master of fright delights as the nemesis, singing and giving him an edge that Glen Keane's brilliant animation complements perfectly.

It may not be the Lion King, but The Great Mouse Detective delivers as an enetertaining slice of Disney and mouse cinema.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10 or A-

SYS

FOX Wins The Quarter

Some small buisness news. 20th Century FOX won the first quarter with 742 million. Most of this came from the juggernaut of Avatar and Alvin and The Chipmunks 2 certainly didn't hurt the bonfire.

Warner Bros. came in at number 2 and Disney was number 3. Columbia was last in terms of major studios and was the only one to be down from last year.

SYS

Robert Zemeckis Has A Dark Life

Robert has decided to adapt the novel Dark Life for Disney. This MAY be in live-action. I'm crossing my fingers, as I'm hoping this once master gets all those duck-taped-tennis-balls out of his systems and make this Live-Action. We shall see.

SYS

Harry Goes To PIXAR

It's been suspected for months but it's finally true. Harry Selick (above), driector of Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas, has joined Disney. My sources have told me he's NOT going to PIXAR because that company is actually keeping itself as a cGI-only operation. Still, admit it, this could be very interesting as to what projects could happen..

SYS

Disney Has a Heart That's In Tangled Up Knots

It seems Disney has done the stupidest decision I've heard in just about years. They've changed the name of Rapunzel to Tangled. I know The Princess and The Frog was a flop, but that was due to competition. Not the word Princess (though I'd be lying if I said that didn't turn off a few people). I can't wait to hear Disney die-hard fans reactions.

SYS

R.I.P Miramax 1979-2010

For 31 years they wre Disney's adult film studio..now, 5 years after Harvey Weinstein left, Miramax has died. I guess the bombing of Everybody's Fine didn't help. Rest in peace, Miramax.

SYS

Tim Burton on Maleficient??

Acoording to AICN, Tim Burton is eyeing a project based on Malefient, the villain from 1959's Sleeping Beauty. Dark Shadows is in "limbo", so this project could be Tim Burtons next

SYS

Mars Project Has Begun

The John Carter of Mars project that is!! The genuis that is Andrew Stanton is about to churn out John Carter of Mars, based on the classic novels. The film will be released by Disney and will be Live-Action/CGI like Avatar. PIXAR is actually an uncredited producer on the film. I can't wait to see hwat Andrew churns up next. \

I am pumped for May 2012.

SYS

Editorial: The Princess and The Screwed Up Ads

The Princess and the Frog is one of the best films of 2009. It's a classic, on par with Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. So why is this film going to struggle to make 100 million. This film SHOULD beat Lilo & Stitch. Instead, it's going take less than half off the gross of the crud that is Alvin and The Chipmunks 2.

Why did it dissapoint? Marketing. This film (and Avatar) had the worst marketing department ever. I mean, the only things they sold were for Disney Princess toys. They needed to get a wider age range. Perhaps highliting all the voodoo spirits would've gotten a couple of boys in there.

I do know for a fact that the following things would've been great for the film:

*Thanksgiving Day parade float. Why the heck did they not do this? Some of those songs blaring from the float would've had the audience hooked.

*Better Preivews- How about declaring that this film is the 49th classic from Disney? Plus, they should've showed the musical numbers Dig A Little Deeper & Friends on The Other Side as previews like The Lion King did as they had Circle of Life as it's preview. That film was a hit. Plus, at the end of those ads, state that the songs are on iTunes. That would've gotten the tech generation to love the songs and film.

*Look at the banner above. Does that make you wanna rush out to see it? No. Personally, fleshing out the story more in the ads would've done the film better justice.

I think Disney also should've just said that this was an event film like Avatar. Pump it up, make it look big. If Disney dosen't fine-tune their marketing by the time Rapunzel hits 3D theatres in November...well, Disney could be looking at more dissapointing grosses.

Sad

SYS

Marvel + Disney = Forever

On New Years Eve, Disney not only merged with Marvel but also struck a new deal with Stan Lee. The stockholders have finally approved of the acquisition of Marvel and soon Disney can make movies based on the rich Marvel superheroes heritage. I'll be excited to see how this works out for both Disney AND Marvel.

SYS

Bachelor Ride Halted

Rich Ross ocntinues to destroy Disney as he has stoped Wild Hogs 2. Following his scrapping of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Wedding Banned, this is his 3rd cancellation this month and the 2nd in a week. He really better stop now before he destroys all of Disney's potential cash flow.

SYS

Passing: Roy E. Disney

One day after his father's death, Roy Disney has died from stomach cancer. I need to go cry now. I'll have a full article up soon....

*SOB*

10 Days Until The Princess and The Frog

Only 10 days people!! Disney will officially be back in 10 days. I am very excited to see what will happen in this movie and hear the new musical numbers!

Cannot wait!

SSY

Preping Up For Prep and Landing

Disney will premiere their very first Christmas special ever Tuesday on ABC! It's called Prep and Landing. It's about the elves that help Santa get ready for the year and make sure the big guy arrives perfectly. The short sounds extremely cute and I am very excited to see what will happen with it. The great Dave Foley stars, so we know laughs are bound to happen.

Plus, when I was at the mall yesterday, I saw at the Disney Store some Prep and Landing dolls modled after some of the elf characters. These look wonderful. Plus, Disney is having a sale on them, so I'd recommend getting them for some X-Mas decorations!



I am very excited for the special. It airs Tuesday at 8:30/7:30 central and after Charlie Brown Christmas. Can't wait for it.

SYS