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. 

Day 14: The Jungle Book

We (Shere) Khhhan't handle it! Our 14th movie!

1. What movie did you watch?
The Jungle Book. The film was inspired by Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, which is much more dark and sinister.  Walt Disney decided that he wanted to make the story more straightforward and family friendly, however his head writer did not agree. This led to the leaving of head writer and story man Bill Peet, and the promotion of Larry Clemmons. The Jungle Book was the first to include many recognizable Disney voice actors, such as Phil Harris and Sterling Holloway. It also cast famous musician Louis Prima as King Louis the orangutan. A not so fun fact: This was the final film that Walt Disney himself worked on, and he sadly passed away part way through production.  

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: I have! I watched it probably about a month ago!

Alexis: I have definitely watched it before (many times), but I can't remember the last time.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: It brought back so many memories of watching this as a child with my friends and acting out the whole movie as different characters in front of the TV! The more I watch it as an adult the more I appreciate those memories.

Alexis: It brought back general memories of watching this movie as a kid with my family. Also, whenever I hear Louis Prima's music, I 'm just reminded of my dad because we used to listen to his music all the time and dance around. 

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I LOVED IT! This is probably my all time favorite Disney movie. I watch it whenever I need a pick me up or am feeling particularly nostalgic. Watching it back this time I developed a real appreciation for both the music and the sound effects. They used it so effectively. Speaking of, here is some really cool footage of Louis Prima when he was recording "I Wanna Be Like You."

Alexis: I love this one, it's definitely in my top 10 favorites! The songs in it are some of the best. 

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: I love the friendship between Baloo, Baghera, and Mowgli! It's so amazing and encouraging, and I think when I was little I learned a lot about having friends from this movie.

Alexis: I really like the King Louis dance sequence at the ruins, you literally can't sit still during it! Also, anything with Baghera because his sarcasm is off the charts and he's my favorite. 

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: There are a ton of "topical"  (for the time) references in this movie that I really love. It has much more of a place and time than most Disney movies and I think that is really special. For example, Beatles Vultures:

And people on LSD every time Kah hypnotizes them:

Alexis: I enjoy that Phil Harris voices Baloo and then shortly after he voices Little John in Robin Hood and they're both bears that look very similar. That's my comment.

Back in the New Year!

We're Back! For real, though. Last semester we were abroad (hence only watching one movie) but now we are stateside and back at school (reunited once again). Be on the lookout for new posts! Just think about our absence this way: