Disney Fantasy Draft - Talk Disney to Me Podcast

The new Talk Disney to Me has arrived. It is a new year, the podcast has a new name, and what a way to open 2015 than having a Disney Fantasy Draft. Here are the rules...like a fantasy football draft, participates get a chance to pick a character, a setting, a villain, a sidekick, a home, etc. Once a player picks something, no one else can choose it. For example, if someone chooses Ariel as their character than Ariel can't be picked by anyone else. 
We had so much fun recording this episode. We got to have Jen back on the show which is always fun and hilarity was impossible to contain while I edited. The last 15 minutes is mostly jibber-jabber but we hope you enjoy it...and if you don't care to listen to that section, be sure to speed ahead to the outro and listen to the bloopers. Overall, it was a great time.
I know I speak for my fellow hosts when I say that we can't wait for all the changes coming to Talk Disney to Me. We hope all of the listeners enjoy what they hear and as always, encourage feedback and fun learning! Happy 2015 everyone. Enjoy the podcast and I hope you have a magical New Year!

Disney's Small One Short Film Review

Small One is one of the first projects Don Bluth was in charge of. It is a short film made by Disney and centers around a donkey named Small One. You don't have to look far to see how Small One got his name, for he is very small compared to the other donkeys. Because of Small One's size, he cannot perform the quality of work that is required of him. Although he is loved by his master's unnamed son, he provides little reasons to be kept. His master decides that Small One must be sold which greatly troubles his son. When he explains his reasoning, the son volunteers to take Small One into town and sell him to make sure he goes to a good home. The father agrees and the rest of the short follows the son's day in town and finding Small One a home.
I really liked this short. I didn't love it because there were a lot of problems with it but for what it offered I found it to be very solid. One thing I appreciated was that the film revolved around a biblical story. Usually Disney shies away from out right recognizing any religion and goes with cultural/social norms of the day. It is no surprise to me that Bluth was involved in this project as it is widely known that Bluth like taking Disney in uncomfortable territory (not a bad thing) and ultimately left Disney because they played safe instead of making quality films. One of the films Bluth worked on was The Fox and the Hound which is a cute film and one I adore but not necessarily a good product. Bluth went on to start his own animation studio and dabbled in more controversial areas. He came back to a religious theme with his film All Dogs Go To Heaven.
Of course it isn't just the theme that makes it a good short but the quality story telling that goes on. Bluth sets up a very biblical and literary plot by taking common ideas like the number three and anonymity and using them to not only advance the plot but artistically depict the story. For example, the son goes through three trials to find Small One, a home - the first being the encounter with the man who kills animals for their fur, the second being the people in town (specifically the auctioneer), and the third being the shepherd. Then there is the anonymity theme which I love. Or may be

anonymity is the wrong word and perhaps the right phrasing would be that the film is allowing the audience to put the pieces together. They aren't spoon feeding the audience. It is obvious from the character design and the presence of the donkeys and the animation of the setting that this story is biblical. It probably was also obvious by the time of year it was released. I'm completely unaware how Disney marketed the short but I'm guessing it played on ABC at least once during the holidays. Anyway, keeping all of that in mind the short never once tells us who the shepherd is that ends up buying Small One. Everything is implied through visuals which I found to be very clever.
I guess my biggest problem with the short was the center part when the son is trying to sell Small One. There is a continuous song being sung through these scenes partially by the son and partially by three men who seem to represent the greed that exists in the world. Don't get me wrong, this idea appeals to me since Christmas has become very greed ridden but I'm not sure we were so aware of the greed when this short was made. However, whenever these three men sang I just wanted to fast forward. They were annoying and not very well set up...and borderline racist. I'm not sure what could have been done differently to fix this but it was just something that bothered me.
Overall, the short was really cute and well thought out. The characters were pretty generic and others outright annoying. The pacing in the middle became a bit of an issue and the music never stood out. While the animation was simple grade B/C quality, I have to give the studio and Don Bluth credit for the effort. It definitely captures the quality of old school Disney and you can tell they are still trying to find their place after Walt's death. I would definitely recommend this short to you.
Be sure to watch the short HERE and listen to our new Christmas themed episode of Talk Magic to Me where we discuss Mickey's Christmas Carol.

The Gospel According to Disney by Mark I. Pinsky

Original post: http://thereader101.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-gospel-according-to-disney-by-mark.html
 

When I was 15, I attended church camp for a second time. As much as I want to go into great detail about my experiences there, I will spare you the reader and get to the point that relates to this book review. My friends and I were at evening chapel, soaking in what the Pastor was saying. Suddenly, he stepped aside and the lights dimmed. The screen lit up in a blue glow and once our eyes adjusted it became apparent we were watching a clip from a Disney movie...and not just any Disney movie but The Lion King, one of my all time favorites! What does The Lion King have to do with church? I asked myself. Let me paint the scene for you. Simba has just reunited with his childhood friend who believed him to be dead and confronts him with his past that he thought he left behind him. Angry, confused, and lost Simba walks to the water and stares at his reflection in the water. Suddenly, the peace is disturbed by the wise old Rafiki who tells Simba he knows he is Mufasa's boy. When Simba tells him his father is dead, Rafiki disputes him and tells him his father is alive and he can see him if Simba follows Rafiki. Simba follows and they arrive at another body of water. Rafiki tells Simba to look and when Simba looks at the water, he only sees his reflection. Rafiki urges him to look harder and suddenly Simba is starring at the image of his father. Then Rafiki says the iconic words, "You see, he lives in you." There is a loud rumbling and in the sky stands Mufasa, urging Simba to stop running from his past and to take his place on Pride Rock as King. When Mufasa's ghost fades, Rafiki furthers his message by saying, "Oh yes the past can hurt, but the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it." Hans Zimmer's score beautifully clashes with the African choir as Simba makes his decision to return to Pride Rock. Tears welled up in my eyes. A great deal of my emotion stemmed from the nostalgia I was feeling. But it was also more than that. I had never known that faith could be seen through "secular" entertainment. Yet here was a perfect example. The Christian symbolism was so clear to me at that moment and it is one of the defining moments of my adolescence for it is the moment that inspired me to study other entertainment and look for hidden meanings in other media I encountered. I began searching for books that discussed this topic of Christian symbolism in Disney films and soon came across this book, The Gospel According to Disney by Mark I. Pinsky. I couldn't wait to read it.
This book is not what I expected at all. While the title implies that the author will be picking out bits of the gospel that are ingrained in Disney films and discussing them, it is quite the opposite. The book begins with a long chapter discussing Walt Disney's relationship with Christianity and faith in general. It takes a deep look at Walt's childhood that greatly summarizes the man the public came to know and either adore or despise. The book then goes into separate chapters discussing a different movie each chapter. Part one of the book focused on the films that were made while and a little after Walt was alive. Part two focuses on the Michael Eisner years. Once again, Pinsky provided a good look at Eisner's relationship with faith. It then goes into a bit about the theme parks and the Baptist boycott. 
Critical reviews of this book are very positive while the reviews I saw online were extremely negative. This made me wonder a great deal, for I was on the latter side. I did not think this book was very good. But I think it is the title that either helped the book or made people cringe at the book. I already stated what I expected this book to be. However, I realize the title can be read another way. Rather than picking out the deeper Christian gospel messages of these films, this book gave a detailed look at Disney's relationship with culture and general religion. It didn't really look for the deeper messages but at surface level material - what Disney the company did, what it would look like if people clung to the films as a religious entity, etc. While this was also a good approach, it has already been done before. None of Pinsky's chapters looking at these wonderful films wowed me or moved me. The only chapters I took great interest in were looking at Walt's life and Eisner's life, the theme parks, and the Baptist boycott. Those chapters contained worth while substance. The rest of the book...not so much.
One huge fault of the book is Pinsky's constant lengthy summaries of each movie he talks about. Literally every chapter is a frame by frame look at the film in question. As an English major in college, I was taught that when you write an essay you should always avoid giving the summary of said subject. The person who is reading your essay or group of essays will most likely be reading it with knowledge of the content beforehand. They don't need to hear it again, they just need to hear your analysis. And if the chapter didn't contain a summary, it was Pinsky bitching about the movie's lack of political correctness. I gained nothing from these chapters which was extremely disappointing.
Another huge fallback of the book was it's lack of even addressing the gospel at all. The chapters talked more about Disney and culture and went on more about tropes and stereotypes. We get it! People talk about this all of the time. Why do we need to hear about it again? Chapters such as Alice and Wonderland and Aladdin never mentioned the gospel once. It made me question why I was continuing with the book when it wasn't even addressing the subject it claimed to tackle in the actual title! And there were a few mistakes made throughout the book as well. The one I can remember off the top of my head was in the Alice in Wonderland chapter when Pinsky kept calling Alice's older sister her governess.
And finally, the book's biggest mistake has to be the title. The word "gospel" should not be in it. It is misleading and insulting to the actual Christian gospel. Rather, the book should be titled Religion According to Disney. The book's focus on religious culture and culture in general combined with no focus on any specific faith tells me this book was not about any gospel. It is about organized religion.
This book disappointed me on multiple accounts. It is a real shame because I think there is a lot of potential in looking for the Christian gospel in Disney films but Pinsky went the cynical route. The fact that he didn't take advantage of what could have been some excellent analysis is just inadequate. 
In short, this book is a compilation of what has already been said and done before. It added little to no new or interesting commentary to these excellent films.
I can't help but compare this book to a similar book I read earlier this year titled The Wisdom of Pixar by Robert Velarde. That book not only looked at Christian wisdom but philosophical wisdom and it took that knowledge and applied it to the Pixar movies. It dissected Pixar and showed where the gospel was hidden and what we as Christians or general audience can gain from it. This does not happen in The Gospel According to Disney and this is what I wanted and expected and I don't think I am alone in feeling this way.
Overall, this book wasn't very good. There were some interesting chapters about Walt himself and the Disney company outside the movies but it really was poorly structure otherwise. For what the book was going for, it wasn't a terrible book. It did a fair job at illustrating how Disney became the almost religious icon that it is today and explained the morals Disney films present that fans live by. But the glaring problems like the misleading title, the semi-present gospel analysis, and the consistent dull summaries were what I would expect from an amateur. I will give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Pete's Dragon Reboot

When we think about classic Disney live action films, titles like Mary Poppins and Old Yeller pop into our heads. Pete's Dragon isn't usually included in this list. Although it has some kind of a cult following and has a lot of heart, the film is widely regarded as...bad. The music is catchy but dated. The acting is done well by some and awful by others. The story is cute. But the film was never a favorite among critics and audiences alike. I grew up with the film and while I enjoy some of the music and appreciate what the story is going for, I can't argue in the movie's defense. It is not good.
It was a surprise to all when Disney announced back in 2013 that a reboot was in the works. Why would Disney reboot this of all films? I'm actually excited for the film. I think Disney would only want to reboot a project that needed lots of work so that the classics can remains classics and the one that needs work could get a fresh take and redeem the story, hopefully. I think this reboot can certainly redeem the story of Pete's Dragon.
Let's first address the changes that have been announced. The first change, and the most obvious and minimal, is Elliot the dragon who will go from a hand drawn animation to a CG dragon. This change was pretty much a no brainer. Since CG is the popular animation form these days. Hopefully this change will make Elliot more realistic but hopefully not too realistic like a dragon from Game of Thrones or Harry Potter. The second change regards a friend for Pete. Pete was on his own in the original film. Now he will be accompanied by a friend named Natalie. I'm not sure how big a role Natalie will play though she will certainly change the script and the character of Pete quite a bit. While I like Pete on his own and his bond with Nora, I think him having a friend will be nice. I hope this reboot can balance Pete's relationship with both Natalie and Nora so that he can have a mother figure and a friend instead of one acting as both. The final change, and the biggest one, is that the new film will not be a musical.
These changes are big and different but in my opinion fresh and exciting. I am actually looking forward to seeing this movie in theaters. By the looks of things, I feel like this project is similar to the recent film Where the Wild Things Are. While I'm not a huge fan of that film, it is good. I'm kind of hoping that these changes hint toward a similar style of storytelling in that Pete's Dragon could be a movie about childhood but not necessarily for children. It could be a more organic film and make fantasy much more of the reality it truly is. Or it could take an entirely different route though I hope it doesn't. I did read rumors that they are changing the original plot where Nora will be a park ranger instead of a lighthouse keeper. Of course I will keep an open mind but I do wish they would stick to the original story because there was a romanticism to the lighthouse and Nora's longing for Paul to return. 
What do you guys think of the reboot? Are you excited or does it make you cringe? Let me know in the comments!

Big Hero 6 and the Call to Create

There are some movies that hit the big screen that you watch and make you want to create. Take for example, Ratatouille. It isn't the best Pixar movie but it sure makes you want to eat delectable food or make something delectable yourself be it food, writing a book, or designing an advertisement. I think Disney has taken this aspect of creative inspiration and paid it forward with their newest hit, Big Hero 6.
When you think about it, many super hero movies are about creativity. Spiderman has to design his own machine to shoot out web and Batman has to creatively stump his opponents like the Joker. And in Big Hero 6, main character Hiro, loveable robot Baymax, and Hiro's buddies have to creatively harness their talents and figure their way out of sticky situations. But it isn't even particularly the super hero aspect of the film that inspires the audience but the technological advances these characters could make (and now that I think about it, super heroes usually have access to crazy technology so I guess this still exists in the super hero realm). Watching Hiro present his microbots idea made me feel as if I was at an attraction at Walt Disney World. It makes you wonder, would Walt approve of this film?

Like him or hate him, no one can deny that Walt Disney was some sort of genius. His desire for innovation and creativity is what has given us some beloved movies and amazing theme parks, and being at the parks often inspires creativity too. It inspires us to tell stories and make things. Hiro's use of materials in Big Hero 6, like Walt's, inspires kids and adults alike. The film has already been linked to creating via things such as the World Maker Faire in New York City and the X Prize Challenge.
Creativity isn't always looked at as a virtue per say yet I would argue that it is essential to living in a better world. Big Hero 6, like Ratatouille and Walt Disney, calls us to create and think deeply about things. This brings us closer to human understanding. This element of Big Hero 6 is what makes it a really great film. While it isn't perfect and has many faults, the main characters all call us to make something and make something bigger than ourselves.
What sort of things would you love to create that would make our world a little better? Let me know in the comments or speak your mind on the Talk Magic to Me Forums. And be sure to listen to the newest episode of Talk Magic to Me where we talk about Big Hero 6!

Disney's Apples to Apples

As far as I'm concerned, mid October is the start of Christmas and the holidays and the holidays mean family time. A great way to take advantage of time together is by playing board games and what could be better when you combine board games with Disney?!
This month, I am recommending the game Apple to Apples, Disney edition. If you're not sure how this game works, allow me to explain. Apples to Apples is a card game. There are red cards and green cards. On the red cards are nouns (person, place, thing, or idea) and the green cards are adjectives. Simple grammar, right? The game must be played with at least three people though four or more is recommended. The object of the game is to gather the green cards. Whoever has the most adjective/green cards by the end of the game, wins.
Each player gets a certain amount of red cards. They are not supposed to let each other view their selections. To start the game, one person becomes the judge and picks up a green card from the pile and lays it down for the other players to see. It is the job of the rest of the players to put down a noun from their hand that they feel best fits the adjective. All red cards should be face down. Once everyone besides the judge puts down a red card, the judge gathers the cards and decides which red card fits the adjective best. Whoever put down that card wins the round and gets to keep the green adjective card.
Here is an example game: the adjective I put down is romantic. Players put down Hercules, Lumiere, Baymax, and Belle. You may be wondering why Baymax is on this list. Well, the game leaves room for silliness and you can always put a card down that purposefully doesn't fit the adjective but is funny to think about in that way, or you can put a card down that is the opposite or to be ironic. In the end, the judge decides and may like you sense of humor or may like that you chose to be straightforward.
Be sure to pick up Disney's Apples to Apples today and spend lots of hours playing with your family!

What Spieling Peter Can Teach Writers

Original post: http://thereader101.blogspot.com/2013/01/wasted-wednesday-what-spieling-peter.html

::spieling -- to speak extravagantly; a lengthy speech or argument usually intended to persuade::

Spieling is the nickname a certain Peter Pan acquired while working at Disneyland and being in contact with many video cameras.  Because this particular Peter Pan "spiels", or talks, a lot, he was given the nickname Spieling Peter.  His real name is Andrew Ducote, an actor who just happens to be a huge Peter Pan fan.  Ducote's fresh and energetic take on the character of Peter Pan made Disney fans from all over the United States want to fly to Disney Land in California just to meet him in person.  He is perhaps the most popular "face character" (characters at the Disney theme parks who do not where any type of suit that covers their entire face/body and can speak to the visitors of the park) Disney Land has ever seen.  Fan videos with him earn thousands of hits on YouTube and there are even blogs dedicated to this guy.  Before  you continue reading, maybe you want to watch him in action?  Check out his videos below.


Saying Hello to Giselle | Dream Catcher | Little Boy | Disneyland | Losing Voice | Crow | At Disneyland | Story-time featuring Alice & The Mad Hatter

So why is Spieling Peter so popular to audiences?  Well, there are many reasons why.  For one thing, he is fun and energetic.  His talkative nature makes people laugh.  But more importantly, it is Ducote's interpretation of the character he is playing - a boy who never wants to grow up.  Indeed his nature is funny but also quite annoying at times, much like the actual Peter Pan from the movies.

Surprisingly, watching him in character can teach us writers quite a bit about character painting including flaws, hobbies, habits, and environment.  Throughout the videos I posted above, the audience gets a very good sense from Ducote's portrayal of who Peter Pan would be if he actually existed in the flesh.  He enjoys to play games where he is the winner and loves laughing at another's expense (of course friendly expense).  He knows what Dream Catchers mean to someone who lives in Neverland and loves to play his flute if he hasn't forgotten to bring it with him.  And he knows the stories of the other characters around him, referring a little girl who is too shy to speak to visit Ariel because she "lost her voice".  Essentially, Spieling Peter can teach writers how to stay in character.  This is not only important for writers who wish to create their own spin on a story previously told by someone else but also for writers originating characters.  Spieling Peters helps us to remember the big details and the little ones when it comes to bring a character to life!  It is important to learn from other arts other than the novel.  While I'd of course say the novel is essential to the writer, I would also say that other arts are just as important when it comes to writing and we can learn from anywhere; whether it be from a book, a film, a painting, or a Disney Land face character!
While Spieling Peter seems to be the best at his role, there are plenty of other characters who do a pretty good job at their roles as well.  Here are a few more videos for your viewing pleasure!

Megara | Belle & Gaston

MCMagic Minecraft Server

Minecraft. It is the game title that can be split into two parts that collectively and simply describe the game. When you play Minecraft you mine and you craft. The premise is very creative yet also a bit confusing at the start. Many people don't get it and ask, what's the point? The game seems so simple that it would be borderline boring and pointless. I wondered these exact same things about two years ago when I watched YouTuber Luke Conard post a video of him playing the game on his YouTube gaming channel. Through a snowball of events that are too jumbled to go into, I bought the game and have been a fan ever since. Minecraft has a very rare quality about it that I find very appealing. At times it is an addicting computer game taking over my life as alcohol would an alcoholic. Of course at these times I have to pull myself away as this is a very unhealthy habit. The game also has an ambient quality to it. You the player are an explorer venturing around the various spawned worlds, listening to the simple score that becomes so familiar to your brain that it relaxes you outside the game as well. Okay, so perhaps all of these things sound a little weird and you may be questioning my sanity. But if you have ever played Minecraft, this may sound familiar.

Forgetting all of that, Minecraft offers a lot of room for fun adventures and gaming which is why I believe it to be so successful. It gives complete control to the gamer in charge. What's not to love?

Now combine this game with one of entertainment's largest global names...That's right, someone created a Minecraft map replica of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! From strolling down Main Street USA to riding the Tower of Terror, there really is no limit to this awesome recreation. The map offers as much as Minecraft is limited to do. Users can download special resource packs to see cool visuals and hear actual audio that would be playing in the parks. The audio also allows users to watch fireworks shows like Wishes and Illuminations as if they were watching the real thing! These resource packs allow an even more immersive experience for Minecraft players.

The map is called MCMagic. Hours upon hours upon hours have gone into this project and it is offered to Minecraft players 100% free! This takes more than just dedication. It takes passion. The project is clearly created by people who love Disney and who want to keep the spirit alive. Many may scoff at people who spend so much time perfecting a Minecraft server but the truth is that a lot can be learned from creating something like this. There is a real discipline that is required to build on Minecraft. The same can be said of other professions and projects. When I come onto the Walt Disney World server, I feel an intense longing to create something too. Not only does a project like this excite but also inspires and that is what creating is about.

This server will only further Walt's dream of what Disney Land and Disney World could become! I can't wait to see what comes of this server and encourage any Disney fan to check it out. You will be utterly amazed just as I continue to be every time I explore on there! If you want to see me explore the Magic Kingdom along with my Talk Magic to Me co-host Rachel in our new gaming series, check out the video below and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos to come.

The Dissection of Mr. Toad's Staring Role and Ichabod's Film Encounter

Film is a very intense way of story-telling. Being the visual medium that it is, it depends less on interpretation and more on wowing the audience and presenting certain images to foreshadow or represent something/someone as a metaphor. Of course there are a good amount of films that challenge the viewers in unique ways but the majority of films aren't very intellectual endeavors. The audience sits in front of the screen and watches images set before them. That doesn't take much thought. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad stems from two great works of literature and presents Disney with a unique challenge, especially when it comes to Ichabod's story. Adapting book to screen is always hard. In this blog I want to talk about both sides of this film...Ichabod's and Toad's. I will first start out with Ichabod and discuss the visualization of the headless horseman. I will then move on to Mr. Toad and discuss why Walt Disney might have chosen this character out of all the other main protagonists in The Wind in the Willows to represent half of this package film.

* * *

There are plenty of examples of literary works where the author literally invites the reader to write their own version of the story, and no I don't mean fan fiction. I mean the author leaves the reader with questions that allow them to imagine what might have happened. This challenges the reader to understand character psych and writing style and create their own ideas. For example, why did Alaska really drive into another vehicle (Looking for Alaska by John Green)? How will Nick handle his relationship with Amy after all that has happened (Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn)? Did Pi truly survive on a lifeboat for most of the year with a Bengal tiger or was it all just a metaphor he created in his subconscious (Life of Pi by Yann Martel)? And in the case of Ichabod, we the reader have to ask - did he really see the headless horseman or was it all just an illusion (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving)? As readers, we are invited to take guesses and work out reasons why our guess is valid. But film takes on such a different tone because the story is no longer just words and images we created in our head. A film is a literal picture and leaves no room for interpretation in this way. Of course many great films know there are ways to distort an image to make the audience think but it is still visual and never quite like a book. In Ichabod's case, we are entirely dependent on the animation we see before us to tell us the story.

Disney does not try to be like the source material and leave the audience guessing in such a way (and it could be argued that they couldn't do such a thing in the same way the book does) but they do create their own interpretation and therefore drop hints to the audience as to what they were intending. A great movie knows that they have to show the audience and not tell. A great example is the film Clueless. In the film, main character Cher has a crush on new kid Christian. Through subtle hints during their interaction, the filmmakers drop hints that let us come to our own conclusion that Christian is gay. It is only when Cher needs to be let out of the dark when another character actually voices this fact. In Disney's adaption of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow we are never actually told who the headless horseman is. We are given many clues that it is Brom Bones but at the end of the day still wonder if it could have been a demon. While the book offers a much wider gap for interpretation, the film does a good job tapping into a similar spirit and should be applauded for doing so. 

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The choice of who is going to be the main character to represent a film is a hard one. As discussed earlier, a film depends on visuals and requires more wow factor because audiences can often be shallow. The main characters in The Wind in the Willows are Rat and Mole. Toad is more of a plot point and side character - the trickster character which was discussed on the most recent episode of Talk Magic to Me (listen at the end of this blog post). So why did Disney choose Toad to be one of the faces to represent this film?

The obvious answer is that Toad is very interesting. All of Rat and Mole's adventures are slow and would be quite boring to a child audience. But when Toad comes along, things become fast paced and suspenseful. The reader is constantly wondering - how will Toad get out of this situation? Naturally, this makes Toad an interesting character and a good face for a film. But I believe there were other motivations for Toad's casting as well.

When I read The Wind in the Willows for the first time (actually I listened to the audiobook), I found that Toad reminded me of Walt Disney himself! That may sound weird because Walt Disney didn't steal cars or go on train chases...but he was very obsessed with the newest pieces of technology. The similarities between man and character are most apparent when Toad sees the motor car driving up the road and becomes mesmerized. Even when his friends restrain him, Toad can think of nothing else but that motor car. He goes through many lengths to get that car. Walt Disney was the same way. He was straight forward and knew what he wanted and didn't try to hide it. When he saw his daughters reading Mary Poppins, he knew he would go to all lengths to make that story into one of his motion pictures. Mary Poppins was his motor car. Both cross boundaries yet at the end of the day we love them and route for them. I'm sure Walt saw some of himself in Toad.

* * *

There is so much more that can be said about this film but I will end it there. Be sure to listen to our newest episode of Talk Magic to Me where we discuss this very film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad!

Aladdin and Original Sin and the Message of Forgiveness

The films of the Disney Renaissance all share many of the same qualities. One of the qualities is the spiritual and religious metaphors and symbolism ingrained into each story. What sets the Renaissance apart from other eras in Disney film history is that the content not only looks and sounds good like normal but each film reaches it's audience on a deeper level. The characters are no longer boring two dimensional cartoons, nor are their story arcs. Each film has something profound to say and can be taken seriously unlike most animated films in years previous. Animation has never been an exactly respected medium but it gained more respect during the 90's and that is largely credited to Disney.
Aladdin carries a lot of weight in the spiritual realm of the story, particularly in our main two characters - Aladdin and Jasmine. I believe Aladdin is a metaphor for original sin while Jasmine is a metaphor for forgiveness. I don't believe Disney went into this project with this intent however I do believe that if an art form is good, it will be open to interpretation because it will automatically leave the audience with those questions that bring about discussion and overall spiritual or narrative or scientific reassurance.

Allow me to go into more detail as to why I see Aladdin and Jasmine being symbols of these two religious symbols. Spark Notes published a blog a few years ago discussing why the Disney Princesses are bad role models. I disagreed with the article 100% and it inspired me to write my own article in defense of the princesses. One thing the author wrote on Spark Notes was that Jasmine was teaching young girls to allow their boyfriend to lie to them. While I can see why this may be true, I see Jasmine's choice to continue loving Aladdin as a decision to forgive him. She knows he is not perfect (nor is she) but a good man who she loves and understands and he obviously feels the same way. He pursues her but unlike the other men who have done the same thing, he values her. He knows she isn't a prize to be won (or at least comes to learn this) and that is why he makes the decision to not be a prince at the end and free the Genie. He acknowledges his unworthiness which is ultimately what makes him worthy. Jasmine, the symbol of forgiveness because of her unfaltering decision to love Aladdin and see him for more than his mistakes, forgives Aladdin because she puts herself in his shoes. When Aladdin apologizes for lying, Jasmine leans close and says, "I know why you did." That is all that needs to be exchanged between them. She isn't excusing him from his mistakes but saying, "I love you and our love is more important than either of our mistakes." This isn't to say this is a method every woman should use in a relationship but in this case it works. Forgiveness is a really hard place to get to. Disney realizes that love is complex and messy but it is rewarding and ultimately their films strive to display this reward. Whether their depiction of how it is achieved is accurate or not, it has taken the culture by storm. Jasmine is ready to let go of the hurt she felt because not only does it weigh her down but by letting go she has more room for love in all areas of her life.

Aladdin is on the other side of the spectrum, representing the allure of original sin. The symbolism of the Adam and Eve parable is beautiful. They take a bite of the sweet apple and it feels good but leaves them feeling naked and vulnerable and unworthy. Aladdin, who is frequently seem with apples in the film, also bites off more than he can chew when he lies. In the beginning lying is sweet. The moment the Sultan announces to Aladdin that one day he will take over and become Sultan, Aladdin has the realization that he has never been worthy for this and is suddenly ashamed and afraid of being found out. He has dug his own grave. This leads him to take the easy road by not freeing the Genie like he promised. It is only when he admits to his fallen nature that he realizes he never had to be perfect, he just had to be himself and that is when he becomes worthy. It takes Jasmine's forgiveness to also make this possible.

What do you think of this analysis? Do you agree or disagree? Do you want to expand on my points? Leave it all in the comments or enter discussion on the Talk Magic to Me forums!


We talked about Aladdin on last month's episode of Talk Magic to Me! You can listen to it in the video below!

The Redemption of the Evil Queen

Original post: http://talkmagic2mepodcast.blogspot.com/2014/03/danielles-corner-redemption-of-evil.html

I watch the show Once Upon a Time on ABC.  I won't lie to you, the show appeals to me.  I love fairy stories with their fun lighthearted and moral elements.  But I also like raw stories that are dark and don't sugar coat things.  Once Upon a Time tries to be the show that bridges that gap between those two elements...though in my opinion the show fails to truly bring these two genres together.  Season four has started and continues to let me down. Between the constant Disney-fying and shoving Frozen on the audience, I'm seriously questioning why I continue to watch the show. The show has a ton of flaws and is cliche.  The actors are okay.  Some are awesome and some I can't stand.  But I still watch the show because there is something about it that brings me back.  That something, or someone I should say,  is the Evil Queen.
First of all, the Evil Queen (Regina) is arguably the best character in the entire show.  There are many attributes to this statement.  The first attribute is that her character is complex but not in a cliche sort of way.  Tons of characters from Once Upon a Time are made to seem complex when really it is just easy writing.  I'm in no way saying I could do better but that is just my opinion.  Regina is by far the most well thought out character.  Her back-story is beautiful and heartbreaking.  She is flawed in the best way possible and is the balance in the show.  She balances the show by being the bridge between good and evil, the see-saw that constantly is falling back and forth and living out the eternal struggle of living for one's own self interests or living for something greater and beyond themselves.  Besides her actual character, the actress who plays her, Lana Parrilla, is incredible!  She plays Regina with such grace and charisma.  The best part of her performance is watching her facial expressions.  The performance is all in her face.  No other actor in the show seems to capture the complexities of their character as she does...though Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin comes close.
As I said above, I watch the show and enjoy it but don't think it is a good show per say.  However, I do have a hope for the show that would redeem it.  I hope beyond hope that my wish will come true (pun intended)!  My hope is that the show will end with Regina becoming good.  Not a temporary good like we have seen in previous episodes.  I mean she will truly become a good human being.  It won't mean she is perfect. I want her to still question her goodness but I also want to see her cling to something bigger than herself and long for something good and not something evil. The show seems to revolve around the struggle she encounters every day about choosing which side she wants to be on and it is so good, it makes me feel like she is the show and it should end with a focus on her.  That would make me so incredibly happy!

Literary Disco

Every month on Disney Danielle I plan to have a week dedicated to recommending something that isn't purely Disney but has ties to it. This week I am recommending a podcast called Literary Disco!
The podcast is hosted by Tod, Julia, and Rider, three friends who went to graduate school together and are collective book nerds. If the name Rider stands out to you, good job. Rider Strong is an actor most known for playing the character Shawn Hunter on the hit 90s TV series, Boy Meets World.

While I was never a big fan of the show growing up, I've always viewed Shawn as my favorite character and the most well developed of the series. I'm so glad to see that Rider isn't the cliche child actor but is going into the realm he wants rather than what nostalgic fans ask of him.
It is very typical of me to recommend a literary podcast for my first recommend. I am a lover of books and literature and I am also a podcast fanatic. Combine the two and it is a match made in heaven as far as I'm concerned. Finding good podcasts about books isn't easy. I only listen to one other book podcast and have unsubscribed to many others after attempting to listen but just becoming annoyed (this excludes podcasts such as Game of Owns and Alohomora, two book podcasts that I adore. One focuses on Game of Thrones and the other focuses on Harry Potter). Literary Disco is intelligent while also entertaining and witty. The language can be choicey so this isn't a show for kids. The hosts go into unique segments such as grabbing a book from their book shelf and talking about it or klassics korner where they read two real quotes from a classic novel and one fake that they wrote and the other two hosts must guess which quote is fiction (pun intended). They also go into in depth discussions about books and their impact on the world and what the impact means. But my descriptions is feeble and can't actually describe the awesomeness that is Literary Disco. Go take a listen yourself by clicking one of the links below! You will be not disappointed!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/literary-disco-literary-disco/id509343636?mt=2
Website: http://www.literarydisco.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiteraryDisco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiteraryDisco
Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/literary-disco
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/83453-literary-disco

Monster's University REPOST

Original Post: http://thereader101.blogspot.com/2013/07/wasted-wednesday-monsters-university.html

Since a new school year is about to begin, I have decided to talk about Pixar's latest film - Monsters University.  This computer animated prequel is one that was highly anticipated, mostly because the last two films Pixar has released have been awful compared to their usual quality and because Monster Inc., like most Pixar films, is beloved by millions.  With Toy Story revisiting it's characters twice and being successful, Pixar seemed to have nothing to lose by returning to the monster world since their last two films were flops.  It seems this may become a pattern since Pixar is soon to release Finding Dory which revisits the world of Finding Nemo.  I was a bit weary about this film since Pixar hasn't been doing as well as I usually expect from them but I found the film to be typical Pixar, which means it was an A+++++++++! 
This post isn't a movie review.  But I do want to talk about the artistic elements that are seen in Monsters University, specifically focusing on Ring Composition, how well the film ties in with it's predecessor, character development, and why this film is getting Pixar out of their funk and symbolizes a bright future for the company.  Warning, there may be a few spoilers!

Let's start of with ring composition.  For those of you who don't yet know what ring composition is, just go ahead and read book series such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, etc.  Ring composition is a story-telling format that brings a story full circle.  This style is more apparent in books although films use it all of the time.  It is a form of narrative transformation.  I've recently gotten into reading about narrative transformation and ring composition since working on the MuggleNet Academia podcast and I am suddenly noticing the two everywhere!  Not only does this movie use ring composition but most Disney/Pixar films do as well (and of course regular Disney films use it too).  Ring composition is apparent in this film when in the beginning we see Mike stepping onto the scare floor as a kid idolizing the "scarers" and then at the end we see Mike stepping onto the scare floor as an adult working with "scarers".  Another example of ring composition is in the first quarter of the film we see Mike and Sully working separately but in the third quarter they are working together.  Of course I could go on and on about the ring composition but...well I don't remember all of it, haha.
Pixar does an incredible job of tying this prequel back to it's predecessor, Monster's Inc.  Prequel's are always challenging because it is difficult to avoid being cheesy when giving a character an almost forced back-story to conform to their original movie.  Pixar, though, does not come across as forced.  In fact they attack the challenge with ease!  In this film we see how Mike doesn't become a "scarer" and there are hints at his future job as a comedian, how Sully and Mike form their morning routine that we see in the first film, why children's files are so important (and how they relate back to a monster's education), and what goes into making doors that lead to children's closets!  It is all extremely well done.  We also get a glimpse at some character's from the first film and while Randy Newman composed a brand new score, he and Pixar still included some original tracks from the first film!  Another awesome attribute to the story is the relationship Mike and Sully have with Randal.  That was especially well done in the film!
Mike and Sully both go on huge journey's in this film.  Mike is the main focus.  The audience sees him in his elementary years wanting to be a "scarer" someday and the goal of the film is to show how Mike came to realize his talents lay in other hidden places.  He is very book smart and this shows throughout the story.  Sully's story, while not necessarily the main focus, is very compelling as well.  We learn that his father was a top "scarer" and this puts a lot of expectations on his shoulders.  He goes on to start letting everyone down and learns to be his own monster instead of trying to live up to his family name.
Before I go into my last point, I just want to comment quickly on how accurate this film was in terms

of university.  Pixar used this idea of having a college focused movie to their advantage by making a website to reflect an actual university website and having a trailer that actually reflects what a college advertisement would look like on TV.  The films shows us stereotypes and portrays a very realistic atmosphere.  Job well done Pixar!
Finally, I want to talk about why this is the film that will pull Pixar out of their funk.  I haven't seen Cars or Cars 2, so I can't say much about that sequel.  However, I have seen Brave.  What makes Monsters University the savior that Brave could never be?  Well for starters, it isn't forced.  Brave was made to impress anti-Disney feminists by creating a characters with no love interest plot.  Secondly, Brave was all over the place.  It was trying to be a feminist film while also trying to be a mother daughter film while also trying to be a folklore film and it just couldn't do it.  The only plot that was worth caring about was the mother daughter relationship so thank God there was character development in that area because there was none anywhere else.  Lastly, Monsters University has no loose ends.  It ties the movie up in a crisp fashion and leaves the audience satisfied.
So would I recommend Monsters University?  It is OK! (Catch my reference???)

We Never Had A Friend Like You, Robin

I was sitting in the family room, watching Jeopardy with my grandma. My dad was upstairs trying new clothes on and my mom was in the living room discussing vacation plans with a friend. It was a relatively ordinary evening. I had made dinner that night instead of my mother which was a welcomed change but other than that, everything seemed particularly dull. As we watched Jeopardy, a red banner appeared at the bottom of the screen with white letters. At first I thought it was a weather alert but upon reading the text, my mind first jumped to Tracey Morgan who I knew had been in a bad accident a few weeks ago. I assumed this may be an update on his condition. And then my eyes saw the name Robin Williams and my brain slowly registered what I was reading. Robin Williams found dead. Death by suicide, it said.
Perhaps it sounds strange when I say I teared up. I am writing this the day after and still feel choked
up about it. This has never happened to me before. I imagine I am feeling something similar to fans of MJ when he died. I never knew that I could feel a connection of such caliber from a person I never actually met. I know this is a pretty heavy topic to start out with on my new blog but I feel I need to reflect on the impact Robin Williams had on my life because truth be told, he was like a member of my family. My family and I may disagree on many things, but one universal truth in our house is that we are all lovers of Robin Williams. He has entered our household countless times, telling hilarious jokes and moving us to tears from his brilliant performances. Perhaps this is why I feel so sad about his passing. He was more than just an actor. He was a role model, a mentor, and a friend. Only the most brilliant actors are.
Where do I begin? It is hard to find a starting place for this post. I can hardly begin to answer the question, what impact has Robin Williams had on my life? To answer in broad terms, he has introduced me to good comedy. He has demonstrated what it means to be a genuinely good actor. His film range is exceptional and every performance is beautiful and honest and funny and outright special. You will never forget a movie Robin Williams was in.
There are two roles that Robin played that I grew up with and these movies have stayed with me for a long time, and I imagine they will remain with me for the rest of my life. The first has to be the Genie from Aladdin. I grew up watching Disney movies constantly and Aladdin was one my brother and I always popped in to the VHS player. Speaking specifically toward Robin's character, I can't say enough just how much my friends and I quoted him in college. His performance as the Genie encompasses Robin completely...a man of heart and humor. You can't watch the movie without smiling. Aladdin is one of the best Disney movies ever made and part of that is the Genie's character, brought to life by Robin!
The other role which Robin played that was a huge part of my childhood is Daniel Hillard slash Euphegenia Doubtfire. Mrs. Doubtfire was the first PG-13 movie I ever saw, at the age of 9. My younger brother and I, oblivious to the film's dirty humor, cracked up at Daniel's alter ego. From watching her dance with a vacuum to Daniel's hilarious impressions with the social worker, we were hysterical. And it wasn't just us...it was our parents too. Yet the film is not just all laughs. It is about a very serious topic, divorce. Robin does an amazing job at capturing a man who would do anything for his children while also balancing being a big kid himself. The humor is dirty but man, it is fantastic. It is simply an amazing film.
Looking back, there are so many Robin Williams movies that I love and want to briefly reflect on during this blog post. One that doesn't come to most peoples minds is Flubber. That is another movie I grew up with though it never moved me as much as Aladdin or Mrs. Doubtfire. Flubber always cracked us up as kids. We still on it on VHS. Robin had perfect comedic timing and plays a professor who everyone can get behind.
The next movie I want to talk about is Dead Poets Society. Surprisingly I have only seen this movie once. Robin plays another professor though this time he excels in Poetry. This is the kind of film I knew I would love before I watched it, the kind where a teacher swops in and inspires their students to be more, that they are special and can make a difference in the world. His performance is fantastic. It completely exemplifies Robin's message - that you can do and be anything.

The next film is Patch Adams. I saw this when I was in middle school. Like most of Robin's films, it cracked me up (or rather, he cracked me up) and it once again embraces another one of his philosophies on life - that making people happy is essential. His character experiences great personal loss but still manages to bring smile to the world. His character shows that it isn't normalcy that cures or even standing out, it is love. He loves people as they are and meets them where they are.
Now let us talk about Good Will Hunting. This is another movie I have seen only once. I watched it on Netflix a little over a year ago. Again, Williams is a professor and a mentor. I don't have much more to say other than, watch the movie. It is as simple as that. You will thank me for it later.
Now The Bird Cage. This movie never cracked me up until my stomach hurt but the dry humor does make you chuckle quite a bit. It isn't a typical Robin film but I still love it. It just showcases another side to his acting style.

GOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM! I have an interesting story to tell that is directly tied to this movie. In 2009 when my family traveled to Disney World, we rode the Great Movie Ride. At the end there was a brilliant montage that briefly scanned over the great Hollywood films and above Tara's Theme from Gone with the Wind came Robin shouting GOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM and I felt such passion from him at that moment and I hadn't even seen the movie. It is phenomenal! A great portrayal of the damages of war and the humor and love that can exist despite the hardships.
My last mention will seem silly to some but it is another film that was a big part of my childhood. That movie is, Aladdin 3: The King of Thieves. Okay, so we all know Disney sequels usually equate to poop. But there are a few that are genuinely good and this is one of them. Not only is the story easy to get behind but Robin's comedy is top notch. His impressions and references are hysterical and his comedic timing is, you guessed it, brilliant!

He are some honorable mentions to end this blog: Hook, Jumanji, Night at the Museum, License to Wed, and Happy Feet.
The brilliance of being in entertainment is that your memory truly remains alive through the projects you were apart of. I hope to watch many Robin Williams films for the next few weeks. And I am aware of how many times I have used the word brilliant in this post...but seriously, how can I not?
Good-bye Robin. You will be deeply missed. I hope you find peace wherever you have gone. Your creative, awe inspiring, funny, and genuine acting style will not be forgotten.

Welcome to Our Family Time, Welcome to Our Brotherly Time! - Introduction Blog

Hello all! Welcome to my new side blog, Disney Danielle! Of course I must give credit where credit is due...the title of this blog must be credited to my good friend and podcast co-host, Eric. Thank you Eric! He has been insistent on this name ever since we began recording our podcast and I was never into it until, well, a few weeks ago.
So here is an introduction to me! My name is Danielle. I am 23 years old, 24 later this month. Ever since I was born I have been exposed to Disney. I had Disney toys, Disney clothes, Disney books, and Disney VHS tapes. Like most children in the 1990s, Disney was shoved down my throat...though I don't say that with all the negative baggage a saying like that usually holds. On the contrary, I'm so thankful for having such a prevalent exposure to Disney in my childhood, otherwise I may have rejected it when I became an adult. From the animated films to the classic 90s TV shows to the man himself, I can't get enough of Disney! I dressed up as Disney characters on Halloween as a kid, read tons of Disney books and even got to go to Disney world a few times. I watched the VHS tapes my grandma bought endlessly. I could never get enough. When I was a teenager I attended a week long church camp and my pastor showed us a clip from the Lion King. This is when I began to realize how relevant Disney remained even as I grew up. It was at that moment that I became engrossed in studying entertainment and it's connection to faith and spirituality, though at the time I hardly knew how to put into words what I was feeling. Since then I have created my very own podcast, with the help of my three very good friends, all about Disney and looking at this company with a critical lens called Talk Magic to Me.
You can usually find me at my blog, The Reader (original title, right?) where I blog about books, art, and social norms and I frequently write about Disney. Now that I am more heavily invested in Disney with the podcast, I figured I should make a new blog where all of my Disney posts can reside. And when this idea was conceived, Disney Danielle was soon born. Ta-da!
On this site you will find movie reviews, book reviews, news commentary, analysis posts, and more! I will frequently recommend books, podcasts, Broadway shows, blogs, youtube videos, and whatever else comes to my brain! I will blog once a week. For the first few months of this blog I will be reposting blogs from my reading blog as well as the Talk Magic to Me blogs I wrote in the past. I can't wait!
My hope is to interact with you all and make this a place for freedom of opinions and healthy conversation! Always let me know what you think! Conversation is always welcome and your opinion is just as valid as my own and the next persons! I hope this will be a magical experience for all of us!
Check in every week for a new blog! And be sure to listen to Talk Magic to Me!