Disneynature's "Bears" Trailer

Disneynature will release their latest documentary to coincide with Earth Day, Bears, on April 18 2014. Check out the trailer below.

Disney's "Oz The Great and Powerful" - Starring James Franco

Photo Credit: Disney

One of the greatest films of all time, The Wizard of Oz, is still popular today, nearly 75 years after its original release. Trying to recapture the magic of that legendary and beloved film is no easy task, but that did not stop director Sam Raimi from trying with the newly released film Oz The Great and Powerful, which is a prequel, of sorts, to Frank L. Baum's classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The films are similar is some ways, but because Warner Bros. owns the rights to The Wizard of Oz, Disney had to careful not to infringe on the original or risk potential legal challenges. 

Oz The Great and Powerful begins in small town Kansas, where a mediocre circus magician, Oscar Diggs (James Franco), romances the ladies, abuses his assistant, Frank (Zach Braff), and tries his best to fool audiences into believing that he is the real deal, which he is not. Oscar is a cad and his bad karma is about to come back to him as a tornado barrels towards the circus while he is running from the boyfriend of one of his potential conquests. Oscar escapes in a hot air balloon which is battered by the powerful storm and is then whisked away to the magical land of Oz. 

Oscar is relieved to be out of harm's way and appears open to the new and wondrous land of Oz, which is populated with original characters and beautiful, vibrant colors. Oscar soon meets Theodora (Mila Kunis), who believes that his appearance may have been foretold in prophecy. Of course, Oscar's not so cheap tricks may have influenced Theodora, whose sister, Evanora (Rachel Weisz), serves as a bad influence on her. The witches turn out to be wicked and attempt to manipulate Oscar into believing that Glinda the Good Witch (Michelle Williams) is actually a wicked witch. Theodora quickly falls for Oscar, but Evanora uses her huge crystal ball to show Glinda and Oscar together, thus sparking jealousy in the immature and reactionary witch. 

Theodora becomes a woman scorned thanks to Evanora's manipulations and soon swears revenge on Oscar, his friends and the residents of Oz. From their home base in the Emerald City, the sisters plan an attack as Theodora literally transforms into The Wicked Witch of the West, complete with green skin, a menacing laugh and a broomstick, which is used for transportation and was jokingly mentioned by Oscar during their first encounter. Consider Theodora's transformation as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Oscar is still using his own powers of manipulation by pretending to be a great wizard who will become the savior of Oz. However, he must now act like he is in charge and concocts a plan with the help of the tinkers, the farmers and the beloved munchkins. Yes, they make an unlikely team, but the wicked sisters mean business and even though they seem to have the upper hand, Oscar still has a chance to redeem himself and become the man that he claims to be, which sets the stage for the entertaining final act. 

Oz The Great and Powerful looks sensational. courtesy of cinematographer Peter Deming and the marvelous special effects. The use of color is simply astonishing and allows to film to have an ethereal, otherworldly quality, similar to The Wizard of Oz. The screenplay, by David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner, utilizes familiar entities, such as the Yellow Brick Road, the Emerald City and subtle references to the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. The screenwriters also introduce new characters, including the precious China Girl (Joey King), whose village is destroyed by the wicked witch. Oscar and his new found friend, Finlay the monkey (Zach Braff), discover the injured China Girl, who suffered two broken legs. With the help of super glue, Oscar helps the youngster in a very touching scene that may just make you cry. I expect both China Girl and Finlay to quickly become beloved characters. 

I wish the performances were equally as good as the writing and technical aspects of Oz The Great and Powerful. James Franco is fine as Oscar/The Wizard and he believably makes the transition from cad to savior. However, the witches are not as convincing, which is troubling because I expected more from the extremely talented Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz. I do not mean to place the blame completely at their feet, since they may have been portraying the characters as directed. There are additional supporting characters who just do not resonate either. Perhaps additional films in the series will allow the characters to develop fully. Indeed, the overabundance of characters introduced in Oz The Great and Powerful may have been overkill, while the lack of musical numbers is certainly suspect. 

Fans of The Wizard of Oz and the classic Disney formula will likely enjoy Oz The Great and Powerful. This family friendly effort features a few new lovable characters, sends a positive message about being honest and true to yourself and expresses the importance of helping others in need. In addition, the outstanding use of 3D technology enables the film to have a contemporary feel that younger audience members will surely appreciate (and the limited edition glasses are pretty cool, too). I would like to see Oz The Great and Powerful again in order to fully appreciate this relatively fast paced effort and its astounding visuals, which are perhaps the most memorable, great and powerful aspect of the film. Just ask the man behind the curtain if you do not believe me.

Family DVD Option: Disney's "Secret of the Wings"

Secret of the Wings landed on DVD last fall, but before it was released, Disney held a series of screenings around the country, one of which I was able to attend. There is a certain magic to every Disney effort that somehow appeals to viewers of all ages. While the story featured in Secret of the Wings is certainly geared towards the very young, the computer animation and spectacular use of color can be appreciated by anyone. 

The story centers around Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman), who is somehow drawn to enter the Winter Woods, which is strictly forbidden. Regardless, she enters and soon meets Periwinkle (Lucy Hale) and the two become fast friends. As they become acquainted, Tinker Bell suspects that Periwinkle may know the secret of the fairy wings. However, forces beyond their control want to keep the two youngsters apart because they may pose a threat to the power structure of their respective worlds and the long held secrets of their rulers. The two youngsters also share a common bond that their parents/guardians do not want them to know about. However, when a weather emergency strikes, the residents of Pixie Hollow, where Tinker Bell resides, and Periwinkle's Winter Woods, must work together to save their respective worlds. As a result, Tinker Bell and Periwinkle become closer than ever.

In addition to Mae Whitman and Lucy Hale, the talented supporting actors lending their voice talents include Timothy Dalton (Lord Milori), Lucy Liu (Silvermist), Matt Lanter (Sled) and Anjelica Huston (Queen Clarion). Secret of the Wings is part of the Disney Fairies series and is now available on DVD.

The 2013 Oscar Nominated Short Films (Animated)

The 2013 Oscar nominees for animated short film include Paperman (pictured above), Adam and Dog, Fresh Guacamole, Head Over Heels and The Longest Daycare featuring Maggie Simpson. The animated films are packaged with the live action short films and are being shown in various markets across the country. If you have an opportunity to see these films, I would encourage you to do so. Links to watch three of the five animated films are provided below. 

Adam and Dog, from director Minkyu Lee. depicts the story of Adam and Eve from a Dog's point of view (and remember, Dog spelled backwards is God). Dog is shown marking his territory and interacting with other animals. In other words, he is just being a dog, until he encounters Adam on a few occasions and they begin to form a bond. However, the appearance of Eve causing significant changes in Adam and his relationship with Dog, who shies away from the humans, but cannot help but keep coming back, hoping for a stronger connection. The hand drawn animation and the lack of dialogue seem appropriate for a story set at the beginning of a particular time. In the case of Adam and Dog, less is more, as it should be. You can watch Adam and Dog here.

Fresh Guacamole, from writer/director PES, is a very brief, albeit creative, stop motion animated short that utilizes images of baseballs, dice, billiard balls and even those little green Monopoly houses. A hand is shown preparing what viewers expect to be guacamole, but as the slicing and dicing commences, various colorful and creative images appear onscreen. The result is an enjoyable and unexpected treat and a feast for the eyes of viewers, even though food is not an essential element here. You can watch Fresh Guacamole here. 

Another stop motion animated short, Head Over Heels, from director Timothy Reckart, focuses on a love story of a different sort. An older married couple, Walter and Madge, who have grown apart, but still live together (sound familiar?) literally live in different worlds in the same house. Walter lives on the floor and Madge lives on the ceiling, so they rarely interact. However, when Walter tries to reach out to Meg, his world is then turned upside down, which is perhaps a metaphor for how far apart they have grown. However, Madge is willing to meet Walter halfway, if they can figure out how to reunite. Like Paperman, Head Over Heels tells of the power and magic of love. 

The Longest Daycare, from director David Silverman, stars Maggie Simpson from The Simpsons, who is left in the "nothing special" section of a daycare, where adults are hard to find and other children appear menacing. Maggie is upset over the actions of another baby, Gerald, who possesses a unibrow and a mean streak, which results in the deaths of butterflies, which are smashed on the wall. Maggie's desire to protect the butterflies is met with limited success, but she is an intelligent and capable young lady who should not be underestimated. Fans of The Simpsons televisions series will appreciate the inside jokes, but this enjoyable short is accessible to anyone.  

Paperman, from director John Kahrs,, was originally shown before Disney's Wreck-It Ralph screenings this past fall, so I have had two opportunities to see this wonderful film about the pursuit of love, or at least the possibility of the pursuit for love. The story centers around a young man, George, and a young woman, Meg, who encounter each other when the papers they are carrying are caught up in the wind. George sees it as a sign and, after arriving at work, he spots Meg in a building across the street and tries to get her attention by constructing a vast array of paper airplanes. He becomes frustrated and leaves work when she fails to notice him. Later, the paper airplanes that he constructed somehow gather together, while a special paper airplane, with Meg's lipstick mark, "pursues" her. The magic of love is literally in the air, but can it finally bring George and Meg together? You can watch Paperman here. 

Animation Spotlight: Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph"

Walt Disney Pictures has a way of crafting movies that can be equally enjoyed by older and younger viewers. I suppose you could call it magic, but whatever it is, it works. Disney's latest release, Wreck-It Ralph, takes a page or two from the Toy Story franchise, but is still an original film that can certainly stand on its own. Instead of toys, the featured characters are from various video games, both real and imagined, who star in an endlessly clever effort that, of course, teaches a lesson or two along the way.

Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) is the villain in the Fix-It Felix Jr. video game. Ralph smashes (sort of the like the Hulk) and then Felix fixes, which makes him the undisputed hero of the game. Felix is also well liked and supported by the other residents of the video game, who clearly do not like Ralph, even though he is an integral part of their world. Ralph grows tired of playing the villain and confides is his support group for video game villains that he wants to move on. However, a game that does not have all of its participants is labeled with an out of order sign and eventually unplugged, leaving the remaining members homeless. Regardless, Ralph is tired of not receiving the respect he deserves, so he moves on.

Ralph visits various other games, including Pac-Man and Hero's Duty, where he vies for and wins a medal, but inadvertently releases a Cy-Bug in the process, which has the potential to infiltrate and ruin any game that it enters. Without realizing it, Ralph takes the Cy-Bug to another game, Sugar Rush, where it causes all kinds of mayhem. Thankfully, Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch), from Hero's Duty, arrives and is intent on finding the Cy-Bug and destroying it, but she needs Ralph's help. They also have support from Felix (Jack McBrayer), who was searching for Ralph when he met up with Calhoun.

Ralph soon encounters a young, mischievous girl, Vanellope von Schweets (Sarah Silverman), who quickly finds a way to take away Ralph's precious medal. Vanellope needs the medal to try to buy her way into a race and Ralph decides to help his new friend, instead of sparing over the medal. Ralph builds Vanellope a vehicle to use in the race, but when King Candy (Alan Tudyk) finds out, he does everything in his power to stop Vanellope and Ralph. Even though King Candy tries to spin a story about why it is best to keep Vanellope from participating, his intentions are selfish and dishonest. Shortly thereafter, Ralph finds himself facing two formidable challenges, from the Cy-Bug and King Candy, but has assistance from Vanellope, as well as Calhoun and Felix, who appear to be falling in love. The balance of the film details their struggle to save themselves and Sugar Rush.

There are many references to characters from classic video games that are made and shown throughout the film. However, you need to pay attention or you will miss a great deal, like I did. In addition to the aforementioned Pac-Man, Q*bert, Frogger, Bowser (from Super Mario Bros.) and Doctor Eggman (from Sonic the Hedgehog) all make appearances. Of course, their presence will appeal to older viewers, while younger viewers will relate to Vanellope's wonder and excitement of youth, which is conveyed perfectly through the effervescence of Sarah Silverman. By the way, how many youngsters would not want the opportunity to spend time is a land of candy and sugar filled highs, which is sort of the equivalent of a life size version of the classic board game Candy Land?

The voice actors are well cast, from the commanding Jane Lynch to the hysterical Alan Tudyk, whose voice talents reminded me of characters from the classic Rankin-Bass holiday specials. The supporting cast includes Ed O'Neill (Modern Family), Dennis Haysbert and Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project). All of the actors make the most of the screenplay by Rich Moore, Phil Johnston, Jim Reardon and John C. Reilly, which is creative and intelligent. However, the humor seems to be confined to certain parts of the film, where I found myself laughing repeatedly, but then sat silent for long periods of time. I am not sure that is even a criticism, but it was something I noticed.

The animation looks terrific and the outstanding use of color adds another level of enjoyment to the film, as the images are literally brought to life. While Wreck-It Ralph is a family friendly effort, there are a few scenes featuring the Cy-Bug and during the final moments that may be frightening to younger viewers because of the (mostly tame) violence and precarious situations that some of the characters find themselves having to contend with. In any event, director Rich Moore has crafted an entertaining film that will likely have viewers smiling for the duration, as some revisit their youth, while others are forming positive memories of their childhood in real time.