Day 19: The Fox and the Hound

Crying for days with The Fox and the Hound

1. What movie did you watch?
The Fox and the Hound. Released in 1981, it is loosely based on the novel of the same name. It is the last film to be worked on by animation legends Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston (of the original Disney "Nine Old Men"), and Don Bluth.

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: No! It's one of the few that I haven't!
Alexis: Four or five years ago I think? I try to avoid it because it breaks my heart!

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: All the sweet animals reminded me of the good times I've had with my dogs throughout my life!
 Alexis:The memories of sobbing at the scene where the old widow has to abandon Tod. Also I remember this movie made me despise hunting as a kid, being the animal lover that I was.

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: It was okay but definitely not suddenly becoming one of my favorites. I don't really feel like I was missing out on anything. The animation is of a lower quality than most of Disney's films and the whole second half just dragged on to me. Not bad but not great.
Alexis: Personally I think it gets a little dark and sad, even to Disney's standards. The forest animals are cute and I love the scenes between young Tod and Copper, but it's not one of my favorites.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: The friendship between Tod and Copper is TOO SWEET! I especially loved the montage with the song "Best of Friends."

Alexis: When Tod and Copper introduce themselves to each other, and Copper says "I'm a hound dog" in the funniest/cutest way!

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Honestly, the reason I never saw this as a kid was because of how sad it was, and I continued to put it off as an adult. This was a good way to have to watch it.
Alexis: This has many of the same voice actors as Winnie the Pooh, and it's very noticeable.

SPECIAL NEW MOVIE EDITION: Big Hero 6

Flying to new heights with Big Hero 6

1. What movie did you watch?
Big Hero 6

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: As this was a new movie neither of us had seen it before! d
Alexis: Nope, it's totally new!

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: Seeing new Disney movies is always very exciting- it brings back the joy of being a child and seeing movies like Lilo and Stitch or Tarzan in theaters.
Alexis: None because I hadn't seen it before?

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I LOVED it! Emotionally, it hits heavy: we get to establish a great brother relationship, we experience loss, joy, and adventure all in one. In addition, it was extraordinarily fun! Baymax was a GREAT character that kids will love and the whole gang each had their great traits.

Alexis: I really enjoyed it! I thought it had a great message for kids, and awesome characters with fun personalities! Baymax was totally my favorite, he's adorable and so very lovable. 

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: Honestly anything Baymax did. I especially loved when he would fist bump with Hiro and then go "Blalala"- I died every time.

Alexis: I really liked the scene where Hiro and Baymax were flying all across the city; I thought the animation was really cool during that part, and it was fun to see the whole city of San Fransokyo. (If that's how you spell it!)

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: In addition to a really great movie, we were treated to an amazing animated short, Feast, before the movie! The main character Winston was adorable and portrayed so many emotions. Plus his love of food made him very easy to relate to for me.

Alexis: I totally agree, this animated short gave me so many feelings!

Day 18: The Rescuers

Day 17: One big adventure with the Rescuers

1. What movie did you watch?
The Rescuers. The movie is based on the children's book series by Margery Sharp, that focuses on the Rescue Aid Society, an international mouse organization headquartered in New York and shadowing the UN. The Rescuers was Disney's first major animated success since The Jungle Book, and it is the last film of the Silver Age.

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: I have seen it before but I don't think I've seen it since.
Alexis: I've seen it but it's been at least 5 years!

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: None really, considering I've seen it once, maybe twice.
Alexis: My sister and I would often choose this one to watch on road trips between Ohio to New Hampshire when we were kids. I think my dad had a part in that because the songs helped lull him to sleep while it was my mom's shift to drive. Also, to this day he still uses the throw away line "It's good for what ails you!" all the time.

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: It's just okay to me. not the worst but nowhere near the best. Just Meh.
Alexis: I really enjoyed it because it's not one that I watch all the time, and I think it's really sweet. It also holds a lot of memories of watching it when I was little, so I'm sentimentally attached.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: This isn't really a moment, but I love the romance between Bianca and Bernard. Too cute.

Alexis: I totally agree with you Maddie, I love them! Also, I really like the scene at the beginning when we're first introduced to the Rescue Aid Society. All the different foreign mice are so cute, and I find their song very catchy.

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: I just want to know: How does Madame Medusa (so subtle, Disney) control her alligators? I just...I don't get it...

Alexis: I like all the character's reactions to the moonshine.

SPECIAL HALLOWEEN EDITION: Mickey's House of Mouse: House of Villians

Our Second Halloween Special: Mickey's House of Mouse: House of Villains

1. What movie did you watch?
Mickey's House of Mouse: House of Villains

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: Yes! I loved this TV show, I probably watched this special around last Halloween!
Alexis: Yes, but a very long time ago.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: As I stated above, I used to watch House of Mouse all the time- I loved how they would make new mickey shorts and use old ones. This was a key halloween classic- I always made sure to catch it on TV when I used to watch Disney Channel more regularly. They also always had great goofy cartoons!
Alexis: This was one of my favorite Disney Channel shows as a kid too! It brought back memories of watching it with my sister after school. 

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: It was great! The mix of old and new animation was really enjoyable and it was just the right length- not too long, not too short!
Alexis: I liked it! I love the combination of old classic Disney cartoons, and present day ones. I also just really the idea of all the characters going to hang out at a night club run by Mickey Mouse. 

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: This has two of my favorite "newer" shorts! How to Haunt a House, in which Goofy is killed and then haunts Donald:

And Mickey's Mechanical House, in which Mickey decides he wants a new house and moves into a fancy new mechanical one, sadly this doesn't exactly work out to his advantage.

Alexis: My favorite moment is when Piglet accidentally (or maybe purposely??) walks in with all the villains. 

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Happy Halloween!

Alexis: Hope everyone has a nice holiday!

Day 17: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Day 17: Rumbly in our tumbly to watch Winnie the Pooh

1. What movie did you watch?
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The film's story comes largely from the three previously released animated featurettes that Disney produced based upon A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books. It is the last film in the Disney canon that Walt Disney had a personal involvement in, since one of the shorts (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree) was released during his lifetime, and he was involved in the production of Blustery Day.It received very positive critical reviews during its initial release, and has been re-released on multiple occasions in multiple editions due to popularity.

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: I used to watch it a lot when I was little but haven't seen it since I was very young.
Alexis: I watched it when I got my wisdom teeth out a few months ago. It's my favorite so I watch it consistently!

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: It brought back the memory of singing along to the opening credits ALL THE TIME. I LOVED it!

Alexis: Um memories of my entire childhood because I would watch it constantly? I had so many winnie the pooh toys and outfits, including my most prized stuffed animal, a pooh bear of my own. I think the love stemmed from the day when my parents brought my younger sister home from the hospital, they gave me this movie on VHS and told me it was a "gift" from her. And the rest is history, I loved the movie and my sister!

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I LOVED it! It's so sweet and is just so happy. Ugh it warms my cold heart every time. In addition, watching it back I really love the technique of having the character move through the pages of the book.

Alexis: Loved it as always! The characters are adorable and fun, the stories and songs are entertaining and catchy, and it has a great message! Winnie the Pooh is so funny and caring, a little bit sassy, and smart in his own way. Plus I agree with Maddie, I think the format of the movie is really fun, with the book playing it's own part in the story and all.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: I think my favorite moment is when Pooh talks about being rumbly in his tumbly, maybe because I relate to it so much.

Alexis: I really like the heffalump and woozles scene; the song is great and the animation is really colorful and fun! And overall I really enjoy the friendship scenes, with Pooh and Piglet as well as Pooh and Christopher Robin, because they are so adorable and have really nice messages. (The Internet loves Winnie the Pooh quotes for this reason).

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: I'm so glad we got to enjoy this gem before we really start to delve into the dark ages of Disney.
Alexis: Agreed! Also, I really enjoy that so many Winnie the Pooh movies came after this. Everything from the Tigger Movie to the some of the holiday specials... really good memories!

Looks like we are at the end of this post. But ya know what:

 We'll see you next time, TTFN!

Some Updates

Hi All! 

We've added some special extra posts that will NOT be included in our 62 movies we will be watching. This includes: Big Hero 6 and our Halloween special: Mickey's House of Mouse: House of Villains! We hope you're as excited as we are!

Day 16: Robin Hood

Golly What A Day: We Watch Robin Hood!

1. What movie did you watch?
Robin Hood. The story is based on the legend of Robin Hood and uses animals instead of humans to tell the story. It initially received many positive reviews, but they have become more mixed over time, with some critics calling it a "weaker" film because of its lack of "excitement and magic". The film was allotted a small budget, therefore the artists referenced a lot of footage from previous animated features. Fun fact: A dance sequence in the film was traced from sequences originally produced for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Jungle Book, and The Aristocats.

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: No! It was my first time EVER!
Alexis: Yup, it's another one of the family favorites! The last time I watched it was about 5 months ago when I got my wisdom teeth out.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: ...None? I guess it kind of reminded me of Once Upon a Time?

And the Doctor Who episode, of course...

Alexis: Every time I hear the little whistling song that the Rooster sings, it always reminds me of being a kid because my sister and I used to imitate it all the time. Also, the opening song when Robin and Little John are going through the forest always reminds me of my dad and how he would always change the words. 

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: It was okay...not a new favorite by any means but definitely not the worst. It was very different from a lot of other Disney movies and I guess I was just thrown off by it all.

Alexis: I liked it! It's just a fun, nostalgia thing for me. It's not one of my top favorites, but I like it all the same.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: This was nice:

Alexis: Definitely the chase/fight scene after the archer tournament. It's just very entertaining and it includes all the characters all together. 

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: This is THE LAZIEST of all the Disney films! From all the reused animation and voices, even MUSIC, to naming the sidekick Hiss because he's a snake! I get that Walt was gone and they were in a transition period (into the dark ages of Disney) but COME ON!

The Dance sequence is literally ALL reused animation from Snow White, Jungle Book, and Aristocats!

Alexis: The father church mouse is voiced by the same actor who voices Piglet. 

Feel free to leave a comment and share your own memories with us!

Day 15: The Aristocats

It's the Cat's Meow! The Aristocats!

1. What movie did you watch?
The Aristocats! The film came out in 1970, and is known as the last Disney film approved by Walt himself before his passing. The movie includes the voice talents of Phil Harris and Sterling Holloway, who had also both worked on The Jungle Book directly before. Phil Harris went on to voice Little John in Robin Hood directly after this film, and Sterling Holloway gave his voice to Winnie the Pooh in the film after that. Fun fact: It was the most popular movie "general release" movie at the British box office in 1971. 

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: This is my all time favorite Disney movie. I would say I watched it about a week ago.
Alexis: I have definitely watched it before, it was one of my favorites as a kid, but it's probably been over a year since I've seen it.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: I have quite a few really strong memories related to this. First off, I wanted a basset hound because of this movie:

Second off, when I was little my dad and I would make fun of the geese and their waddling ALL THE TIME, in fact we still do sometimes still do!

Laaassttllyyyy, I think I know every single line to this movie. I'm quite proud to be honest.

Alexis: Oh so many. My family quotes it all the time, my dad will often call our own cats "brainless lunatics". One specific memory that I have is of my parents telling me that when I was very little, I would always panic at the part where the cats go crashing through the floors on the piano, and shout "oh no kitties!". I guess I didn't get the concept that they lived everytime.

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I LOVED IT! As usual. There are so many clever aspects of the movie. There isn't one character I dislike. while it is considered one of the last movies before Disney's dark ages, and was the first one made without Walt I still think it preserves the classic Disney spirit.
Alexis: Loved it! And not only because it was about cats! I agree with Maddie, it still has that classic Disney feel even though Walt was gone at this point. It's funny, the songs great, and the animation is adorable.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: It's hard to just pick one. The geese mentioned above are up there. But my favorite part just with the main family is definitely Scales and Arpeggios.

Also, I love when George visits and messes with Edgar!

Alexis:Yes, it's far too hard to choose! Probably the "Everybody wants to be a cat" scene because the song is just so catchy and fun. Also, all of Roquefort's scenes because I think he is adorable, with his little coat and hat. 

 

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: I could write a whole essay about this movie...

But I don't want to blather so I will just leave it at this: This is by far one of my favorite ones we have watched so far.

Alexis: I ALWAYS wanted to try creme de la creme a la Edgar.