Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2008 > July > 31
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Disney goes down south, Pixar goes up
New trailers for Disney and Pixar’s coming attractions have arrived on the ‘net, and both look very promising.
The one I was most excited to see was the one for Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, now scheduled for Dec. 25, 2009. This is the studio’s first theatrical foray into hand-drawn animation since 2004, and that alone is enough to thrill me. The trailer is a delight, with the kind of sweet-natured, zany vibe that’s the trademark of directors John Musker and Ron Clements, who sparked the Disney renaissance with The Little Mermaid. Now they get another chance to bring Disney animation back to life. Take a look:
This project should be caused for celebration, but wouldn’t you know it, some people have already found something to gripe about. Folks are complaining that the firely character at the end is a black caricature, a la Song of the South. Spare me. A commenter on EW’s Popwatch blog put it very well: “Sigh. Score one more for the whiney, thin-skinned, on-the-hunt-for-something-to-be-offended-about masses.”
As much as I love and adore Pixar, their movies have a completely different feel from Disney’s. For me, it’s not a question of one vs. the other; I want both, and I believe there’s room for both. (There once was, if anyone can remember 1995 to 2003.) This is the only 2D film on the slate for now, but I’m hoping its successful enough for Disney to make more.
Now, just to balance the scales, here’s what Pixar is Up to.
I know, it doesn’t tell you much, but it’s the very definition of a teaser. It’s meant to make you say “What the heck was THAT? More please!” Works for me.
Here’s a plot description: Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.
It’s directed by Pete Docter (Monsters Inc.) and is due out May 29, 2009.
If you’re curious about what else Disney/Pixar has in the pipeline, here’s my old post on that subject. What do you think of these?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Coming Attractions
What’s opening Friday, August 1?
The dog days of August are almost upon us, and the movies will live up to that in a BIG way this weekend.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: I already got a dig at this yesterday, so I’ll refrain for the moment, but bring some tongs when I review the film tomorrow.
Swing Vote: Have you seen ANY ads for this new Kevin Costner vehicle? I haven’t. However good or bad it may be, it’s going to get lost in the shuffle now. I would have waited a month to release it.
At the arthouses
The Neon in Dayton brings in two new films: The new condensed version of Brideshead Revisited, starring one of our greatest corset wearers, Emma Thompson. There’s also the well reviewed The Wackness, starring the unlikely pairing of Ben Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen. Famke Janssen and Olivia Thirlby (Juno’s buddy) co-star.
And The Little Art plays some obscure little flick called The Dark Knight. Wonder if it’s any good.
At the Victoria
Doctor Zhivago: David Lean returns to the big screen in Dayton. Everyone start humming “Lara’s Theme” now.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: In Area Theaters
