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:

Day 13: The Sword in the Stone

Alacazam! This movie put a sleeping spell on us! Our 13th Movie!

1. What movie did you watch?
The Sword in the Stone. The movie obviously takes parts of its story from Arthurian legend, but it is specifically based off of the book of the same name by T.H. White. It was relaeased in 1963, and is notable for being the last animated film to be released before Walt Disney's death. Fun fact: Arther is actually voiced by three different actors, leading to him sounding noticeably different in various scenes (In my opinion, he doesn't even sound like a kid at some points!). 
 

2. Have you seen it before/ how long has it been since you last saw it?
Maddie: I had never seen it!
Alexis: I had never seen it either, just a few clips of it here and there.

3. What memories did it recall?
Maddie: The memory of sleep. Which I need desperately.
Alexis: Umm, the memory of Disney commercials because they would always include that one moment of Arther pulling out the sword in their montage of "movies to own on home video".

4. What did you think of it?
Maddie: I was not really enjoying it. I get why I might have had I been watching it as a child with all of the animals, especially Archimedes (the bright spot of this sad movie), but otherwise it just seemed like they were so tired from all the amazing pictures that had come before that this was all just missing that Disney shine.
Alexis: Yes, I believe there is a reason that this is a less popular Disney film. Overall I didn't love it. It had its cute moments but really I just found it boring. I just wasn't invested in the story or characters. Like Maddie, Archimedes was my favorite and I didn't really care for Merlin at all. Arther was okay, I liked him better as various animals.

5. Favorite moment:
Maddie: I liked Archimedes as a character, but otherwise this is the only moment I really enjoyed:

Alexis:Um that random moment when Merlin tells the wind to take him to Bermuda, and then he just turns into a rocket and flies away.

6. Any other comments:
Maddie: Once was enough. I'm glad I finally saw it, but I don't see myself re watching it any time soon.
Alexis: Agreed! 


Also, here's the Disney Dream Portrait of Roger Federer associated with this movie!

We're Back!

Apologies for the short hiatus! Maddie and I were on our winter break from school, and we decided that we only wanted to watch the movies together. Now we are reunited and we can keep going strong!