The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, whatever you call it, it's here. Because I am both obsessed with holiday-specific movie watching and a Disney fanatic enthusiast, I like to revisit The Princess and the Frog on this day. Set in 1920s New Orleans, this movie features beautiful 2-D animation, a lively jazz soundtrack, and one of the most level-headed Disney heroines in the form of Tiana, a hardworking young woman with dreams of owning her own restaurant. It's light and fluffy and full of the usual Disney hijinks, but the film has style and I love the music, especially the song "Almost There." That's my favorite sequence in the whole film, in fact...the animation is just so cute.

Add a trumpet playing crocodile, a lovable firefly in love with a star, and an evil voodoo witch doctor, and you've got yourself a fun little family night film. And who can say no to that?

Silly Symphonies - "The Skeleton Dance" (1929)

Happy Fall! I'm one of those obnoxious people who announced "It's the first day of fall!" to everyone I encountered today. I love pumpkin-flavored everything, spooky decorations, and of course my beloved movie list of thrillers and frightfests. I also love watching shorts and music videos that put me in the mood for this time of year, be it "Indian Thriller" or "The Headless Horseman."  One of my absolute favorites to watch is this old beloved cartoon by Walt Disney Productions. It has the distinction of being the first of 75 "Silly Symphonies," a collection of short musical cartoons produced between 1929 and 1939. This cartoon features four skeletons dancing in a graveyard with a macabre sort of glee. It's hard to not tap your feet while watching them dance and twirl. So as we welcome the fall season and look forward to Halloween being ever closer, let's enjoy this little romp in the cemetery! 

Favorite Disney Animated Sequences

This will come as a surprise to no one, but I'm a little bit obsessed with classic animated Disney movies. Regular readers of this blog know how much I love writing Disney-themed lists, from drunks, tarts, and cute couples to dapper dressers, villain sidekicks and awesomely inappropriate songs. For this one, I thought I'd take a look at some of my favorite animated sequences, with no criteria other than being absolutely stunning to look at. Yeah it's a top 9. Oh well.

Fantasia (1940) - The Winter Fairies

This movie is full of gorgeous animation, but my personal favorite part is the winter fairies during Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The winter fairies glide along the ice, leaving a trail of frost behind them. It's beautiful.

10 Reasons to Watch Frozen (2013)

So you've all seen Frozen by now, right? If you haven't, it's kind of wonderful and you should go see it right now. It's still in theaters! No excuses! In case you need a push, here's what I loved about this movie.

1. All that ice animation! I was hooked from the very beginning with those beautiful snowflakes slowly taking shape. Gorgeous!

2. The music! From the hilarious "In Summer" to the moving "Do You Want To Build a Snowman?" to the epic Oscar-nominated "Let it Go," these songs really stick with you.

3. Speaking of singing, Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell kick major ass in the vocals department. Who knew Veronica Mars could sing like an old school Disney princess??

4. "I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!" That obnoxious-looking talking snowman from the trailer actually ended up being pretty damn funny. Props to Josh Gad for bringing him to life!

5. Kristoff and Sven, the ice harvester and his faithful reindeer. He's so gosh darn likable! He gets a funny little song too. So much singing!

6. "Yoohoo! Big summer blowout!"

7.  Those costumes! I love Anna's winter wear in particular.

8. A genuinely good story that had audiences in our theater gasping in some scenes, sniffling in others, and laughing quite a bit too!

9. A cute post-credits scene. Oh Disney, you're too good.

10. Sisters! It's nice seeing a movie where the romance takes a backseat to the girl power and sisterly love that's front and center. It's refreshing, it's awesome, and it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Go see it (with your sister, if you have one!) and give yourself a pick-me-up this winter!

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Excellent, another Disney film added to my collection! I usually wait until after the holidays to grab whatever Disney film just came out of the "vault" because I'm hoping somebody will get it for me for Christmas. And guess what was under the tree! 

Most girls (and boys) of a certain age have very fond memories of this movie. I remember having a little stuffed Flounder that I would hold by its fins like Ariel did. I would swim in my grandparents' pool and pretend I was a mermaid. You know, typical little girl stuff. What's nice about a lot of these classic Disney films is that while you grow up loving them for one reason, you can revisit them as an adult and appreciate them on a totally different level. What makes this movie great for me now is the amazing musical work by Howard Ashman (RIP) and Alan Menken. Those songs! I hate to think of a world without "Under the Sea". And let's not forget the hilariously violent "Les Poissons" sequence! The blu-ray is pretty great, featuring a great making-of documentary and lots of other fun behind-the-scenes tidbits for superfans. Did you know Ursula the sea witch was based on Divine? Awesome! I'm so glad Ashman's legacy will live on as people continue to love this movie. And with a great voice cast (Jodi Benson as Ariel is flawless), beautiful animation, and top-notch music, there will be no shortage of love for The Little Mermaid anytime soon.

Mary Poppins (1964)

Like many of my friends, I am eagerly anticipating the new film about the making of Mary Poppins, Saving Mr. Banks, so I thought I'd sing the praises of the beloved original film. But where do I even start? All the actors are so incredibly fantastic and wonderful and memorable. Every single face in this film makes me feel like I'm looking at an old friend, especially David Tomlinson as Mr. Banks. Maybe it's because there's a quality about him that reminds me of my own father, but when I look at him I feel like I've known him my entire life. The entire cast is great. Say what you will about Dick Van Dyke's questionable Cockney accent, but his dancing and physical comedy is absolutely top-notch. And Julie Andrews! She needs no explanation; she's "practically perfect in every way."

Can we talk about the music for a second? Every single song in this movie is a classic. Even the songs I found kinda boring as a kid are my favorites now..."Stay Awake" and "Feed the Birds" are just sublime. Those Sherman Brothers, man. That's a whole lot of talent right there. "Let's Go Fly a Kite"? Such a great song! "Jolly Holiday"? Marvelous! Every song is so good!

I'm trying not to gush over this movie, but it's more difficult than I thought. There's a lot to take in - frolicking in chalk drawings, dancing with chimney sweeps, winning a horse race, laughing on the ceiling, cleaning a room with the snap of your fingers - but I guess at the end of the day there's only one word to describe this film...

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Oh come on, you knew that was coming.

Disney Tarts

Okay, I'll just say right off the bat that this post is kinda anti-feminist...maybe...? Perhaps I'll follow it up with an asskicking Disney girls post to even things out, but this one is dedicated to all the shameless flirts in our beloved childhood films. These girls are obviously looking to get some. You know who I mean! Let's look at some of my favorites...

Burlesque Mouse, The Great Mouse Detective

Okay, so she's technically only working, but she's also technically a stripper, right? In a Disney movie?? Maybe not a stripper, but she's definitely removing clothes on a stage in front of men. She's got a little garter and everything! Get it, girl!

Mulan (1998)

Another Disney film out of the vault! I was so excited for the Blu-ray release of Mulan that I literally had it written on my calendar at home and at work (I'm a nerd, I know).  Had to go to two different places to find it, but now it's mine, MINE!

Why do I enjoy this film so much? First of all, the animation is pretty great. From the opening brushstrokes creating stylized clouds and the Great Wall of China, to the fun switch in style in "A Girl Worth Fighting For," to the jaw-dropping rush of the Huns on horseback, it's all amazing. I know I always gush about the animation when I'm talking about Disney, but they really know what they're doing over there. Secondly, the film has some seriously good songs. "Reflection" is moving for anyone who ever felt like a disappointment, "A Girl Worth Fighting For" is silly and fun, and "Be A Man" is a super catchy earworm that never leaves your brain EVER. Let's get down to business...to defeat...the Huns....HOOAH! Whoops, there goes my week.

Combine these elements with some topnotch vocal performances (Harvey Fierstein and Eddie Murphy being my favorites) and genuinely funny and touching moments, and you've got yourself another Disney classic. This is definitely one worth revisiting. Go watch Mulan kick ass!

Peter Pan (1953)

I have a confession: I am a slave to the Disney vault! I am one of those people who knows the exact date when Disney will release a beloved film from my childhood, and then I go snatch it up before it disappears again. I was super excited at the prospect of finally owning Peter Pan, so I thought I'd sing its praises here.  I'm not telling you the plot. If you don't know the plot of Peter Pan, I pity you.

My favorite thing about this film is Captain Hook vs The Crocodile. I will never not find Captain Hook bellowing "SMEEEEEEEEEEE!" hilarious. Add a drunk Smee, a murderous Tinkerbell, kids dressed as animals and the bitchiest mermaids EVER, and you've got yourself a pretty awesome cast of characters. I guess Peter Pan and the kids aren't terrible either, haha. And yes, there's that cringeworthy "What Makes The Red Man Red" sequence, but I guess you can't exactly rip that scene out of history.

Mad props, as usual, go to the artists (especially Mary Blair!)...it's so colorful and magical. The kids soaring over the clouds with the city beneath them, the golden ship lifting off into the air with a trail of pixie dust behind it, the children's parents at the end of the film gazing into the sky at the cloud-ship providing whispers of the childhood they left behind long ago...it all gives you that memory of being a kid and the wonderful mysteries that only the child's imagination can wonder and dream about. There may not be a real Neverland (or is there?) but this film definitely captures a slice of that magic for future generations to enjoy.

But seriously, Tinkerbell tried to have Wendy killed. I don't think she ever felt sorry for it, and she's the Disney mascot. That's kinda awesome.

Best Dressed Animated Disney Characters

This post was inspired by a list I saw on another website. Their 10 Best Dressed Disney Characters list left a lot to be desired, in my opinion, so I decided to make my own! So here they are, in no particular order.

Basil of Baker Street, The Great Mouse Detective

Easily the best dressed male character on this list, he showed us that he knows how to lounge, solve cases, AND hit up bars, all in style!

Disney's Best Villain Sidekicks!

Hooray, another Disney post!

What's that? You're tired of these?

Shut up! My blog, my rules!

Every good (bad?) Disney villain needs a sidekick. They need somebody to do their bidding, concoct evil schemes with, or hang out with just to look cool. Here are ten of my favorite villainous sidekicks, in no particular order!

Lucifer, Cinderella (1950)

Effing cats, am I right? Cats are perfect villain sidekicks, because they are pure evil by nature. Just ask our cat Wednesday, who has completely shredded our couch. Thanks a lot, Wednesday!  Lucifer is the pet cat of Lady Tremaine, aka Cinderella's evil stepmother, and he's a total jerk. Remember when he got dirty paw prints all over the freshly scrubbed floor?  He'd be dead for sure if he tried that at my house!

The Best Hilariously Inappropriate Disney Songs

Another Disney post! Hurrah! I love me some Disney. And I love Disney songs that are filled with implied violence, don't you?

Alice in Wonderland - “The Walrus and the Carpenter”

Favorite lyric: "'Little Oysters? Little Oysters?'

But answer, there came none

And this was scarcely odd because

They'd been eaten

Every one!"

Oyster murder! Seeing all of their empty shells was so upsetting to me as a child! But yeah, they went there. They made adorable little baby oysters, and then killed them off. Oh dear.

The Lion King - “Be Prepared”

Favorite lyric: “Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared...

Be prepared!”

This one isn’t inappropriate so much as it’s disturbing with all the Nazi-esque imagery. Chilling and effective, but hey, isn't this a children's movie? This isn't a complaint, I totally love The Lion King.

Beauty and the Beast - “The Mob Song”

Favorite lyric: “Hear him roar

See him foam

But we're not coming home

'Til he's dead

Good and dead

Kill the Beast!”

Ah, a mob singing about killing one of the main characters. “Massive paws, killer claws for the feast”?? Thanks for the mental picture of the Beast ripping apart and eating little children, Disney!

The Great Mouse Detective - “The World's Greatest Criminal Mind”

Favorite lyric: “Even meaner? You mean it?

Worse than the widows and orphans you drowned?”

Hahaha yes! I don’t actually remember that lyric from my childhood, but I had it on recently while I was cleaning and my ears picked right up on that line. Woah woah woah, rewind...really Disney? Ratigan drowned women and children? Love it.

The Little Mermaid - “Les Poissons”

Favorite lyric: “First I cut off their heads, then I pull out their bones....!”

HANDS DOWN my favorite insane Disney song. It’s basically a chef singing about how much he loves chopping up dead things. This song is full of gold: “With a cleaver I hack them in two

I pull out what's inside/And I serve it up fried...” “Then you slash off their skin, give their belly a slice...” How delightfully deranged! Hee hee hee haw haw haw!

Did I miss any good ones? What's your favorite?

Tangled (2010)

Okay, okay, I'm on a major Disney kick right now, so forgive me. But! I finally watched "Tangled" and it was a lot better than I expected. I'm kind of a snob about my Disneyness, and haven't seen many Disney animated films since "The Emperor's New Groove." Glad I gave this one a chance, as it was actually pretty damn cute.

It's the story of Rapunzel, kidnapped from her royal parents by an old crone who has discovered that Rapunzel's hair holds the secret to eternal youth. Kept in captivity in a tower, she yearns to escape. Luckily for her, a charming outlaw stumbles upon her hideaway and becomes her guide in the outside world.

This movie isn't high art in any way, and it doesn't need to be. It's sweet, it's funny (there's a horse character in particular that's HILARIOUS), and has some visually beautiful moments. The photo above is from a scene where they watch hundreds of colorful floating lanterns and the effect is breathtaking.

So give this one a go if you're feeling like some sweet Disney fluff, and watch out for that horse!

10 Cutest Disney Couples

Yes, another Disney post! In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd bring out the warm fuzzies and lovey-dovey wonderfulness and count down my top ten favorite and cutest Disney couples. Strictly fluff here, folks!




10. Duchess and O'Malley, The Aristocats
She's prim and proper, and he's a street smart cool cat. Naturally, they hit it off. Disney loves couples from opposite sides of the track, so to speak, and this is no exception. Plus, awww, they're kitty cats!

The Lion King (1994)

I know, I know, I know. This is one of the most beloved animated films of all time, and in no way requires a review. I don't even need to remind any of you how awesome this film is. I got this film on Blu-ray for Christmas and thought I'd give it a little shout-out.

From the Hamlet-inspired storyline to the amazing vocal performances (James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons, especially), Elton John's memorable songs and the gorgeous animation, this film (and Beauty and the Beast) is basically a cinematic trophy acknowledging Disney's comeback in the 90s. We grew up with it, we love it, it's a great movie, plain and simple.

And who doesn't LOVE that intro? It still gives me goosebumps!



Happy viewing!

Disney Drunks

Remember when alcoholics were something children laughed at in movies? Here are some of my favorite Disney drunks and drunken moments. No particular reason for this post, except that I'm a dork, I guess.




Bartholomew, The Great Mouse Detective
Poor Bartholomew. All of Ratigan's little followers are drinking, but this poor fellow gets so sloshed he foolishly calls Ratigan a rat (which he totally is) and ends up getting eaten by an obese housecat. So sad!




The lute player, Sleeping Beauty
This guy drinks wine out of his lute, stumbles around, and passes out under the table. Awesome!




Smee, Peter Pan
Apparently lovable old Smee uses alcohol to de-stress. There's a scene where he has a drinkie or two and starts acting so very silly. Oh Smee!




Sir Hiss, Robin Hood
Okay, so he gets accidentally tipsy, but it's funny all the same. He's talking to himself and everything, ha!




Gideon, Pinocchio
He's either incredibly stupidly drunk the entire movie, or just incredibly stupid. I'm going with drunk.




Luke, The Rescuers
Oh God, look at him, he's hugging his moonshine. He also coughs fire at one point. That's how you know it's the GOOD stuff!




Bacchus, Fantasia
Holy crap, this guy is my favorite Disney drunk, hands down. He's the god of wine and partying, and he and his centaur fans do indeed party it up. He's fat, he's jolly, he's better than Santa, he rides a tiny little donkey-unicorn who's also drunk, and it's all very fabulous.




Dumbo (and Timothy), Dumbo
Poor poor Dumbo! He's called a freak pretty much since birth, his mother is taken from him, he's forced to perform as a clown, and if that wasn't bad enough, he accidentally gets drunk and has the most HORRIFYING visions ever. Don't even pretend like it didn't freak you out too.



I'll stop there! Enjoy your drinkies, and watch out for pink elephants!