Pete’s Dragon – Early Thoughts

Well compared to Sausage Party this is beauty incarnate.  On its own though it’s so okay it’s average. Spoilers within.

Sausage Party – Early Thoughts

Ew just ew.

Short Subject: The Street (1976)

A story about a family dealing with the impending death of the grandmother shown through the eyes of a young boy. 

Short Subject: Neighbours (1952)

If every one of his films was burning in a fire Norman McLaren said this is one he would want to save.

Short Subject: Father’s Weekend (1953)

Sunday is certainly not a day of rest for Goofy.

Short Subject: Father’s Day Off (1953)

Goofy shows he can’t handle fatherhood or housework alone.

Short Subject: Fathers are People (1951)

Goofy becomes a dad.

Short Subject: The Country Cousin (1936)

Winner of best animated short for 1936.

Short Subject: No Smoking (1951)

An ironic title given that in this short everybody smokes.

The Jungle Book – Early thoughts

Many strange legends are told of these jungles of India…

and this contains spoilers.

Short Subject: All’s Fair in Love and Friendship Games (2015)

The shorts take a turn into weirdsville as Lyria and Bon Bon compete to make the friendship games team.

Short Subject: Photo Finished (2015)

Another background character gets the spotlight, or creates it in this case.

Short Subject: Banner Day (2015)

Flash Sentry and two guys I don’t know the names of make a banner.

Short Subject: Pinkie Spy (2015)

Pinkie and Rainbow spy on Crystal Prep and achieve nothing.

Short Subject: The Science of Magic (2015)

Sunset Shimmer finally gets to be a in a short!

Short Subject: Music to My Ears (2014)

My favourite of the Rainbow Rocks shorts!

Just like the last two shorts this is a music video, but unlike those this song has no lyrics and focuses on a secondary character firmly outside the main group.  That’s great because it allows the audience to learn more about the human world and why we should want to see another film about it.  The lack of lyrics, and dialogue,  lets the beat dictate the story as the visuals match up to it, and it’s great fun to watch.  I also love the ironic ending of DJ getting her headphones taken away and then putting in earbuds instead.

Finally I really like the lack of merchandising push I get from this short.  Since it focuses on a side character that probably won’t get a lot, if any, doll lines we don’t get a bunch of gaudy outfits or an ear worm song to help sell the soundtrack.  To me it feels like this short exists because the creators wanted to tell a story in a fun way as opposed to being told to make something that moves merchandise.  

Short Subject: Shake Your Tail (2014)

From a generic concert at the amusement park to a generic concert at the gym.

Short Subject: Perfect Day for Fun (2014)

Now that the band is all together, don’t ask why Twilight is there, it’s time for a music video!

Short Subject: Player Piano (2014)

The band is finally all together!

Short Subject: Hamstocalypse Now (2014)

Fluttershy cleans the hamster habitat while Rarity starts a fashion feud.

Let’s Review a Movie: Wolf Children (2012)

In honor of Mother’s Day I’m taking a look a film all about a mother’s love.

Short Subject: Guitar Centered (2014)

The great and powerful Trixie!  Will battle you...with a guitar.

Short Subject: Pinkie on the One (2014)

Rainbow Dash is a moron.

Short Subject: A Case for the Bass (2014)

Applejack versus the Flim Flam brothers.

Short Subject: Pluto’s Blue Note (1947)

Pluto gets a happy ending.

Short Subject: Food for Fuedin’ (1950)

Pluto versus Chip and Dale.

Short Subject: The Legend of Coyote Rock (1945)

Hey the coyote actually has name!

Short Subject: Pests of the West (1950)

Okay this time the coyotes have worn out their welcome.

Short Subject: Camp Dog (1950)

Pluto did a better job guarding the sheep.

Short Subject: Sheep Dog (1949)

Cute and clever.

Short Subject: In Dutch (1946)

Pluto is in Holland with Dinah.

Short Subject: Pluto’s Heart Throb (1950)

Pluto and Butch having a macho contest over Dinah, well this was pleasant.

Short Subject: Wonder Dog (1950)

Pluto tries to impress Dinah and actually does a great job.

Short Subject: The Sleepwaker (1942)

Well this was interesting.

Short Subject: Caine Casanova (1945)

Pluto continues to be a jerk and then gets better.

Short Subject: Bone Trouble (1940)

The title kind of makes sense I guess?

Short Subject: Get a Horse! (2013)

I love this!

Short Subject: Feast (2014)

This short should come with a warning not to watch when you’re hungry.

Short Subject: The Ballad of Nessie (2011)

Man this short reminds me of how much I miss traditional animation.

Short Subject: Tick Tock Tale (2010)

Newbies working on a short that has one line of dialogue and very little facial expressions and it doesn’t suck!

Short Subject: Plutopia (1951)

No relation to Zootopia.

Zootopia – Early Thoughts

This movie is wonderful to look at and wonderful to watch go see it!  For those that want a more substantial review please click the link.  Spoilers within.

Short Subject: Pluto’s Sweater (1949)

Minnie knits a sweater and Pluto hates it.

Short Subject: Figaro and Cleo (1943)

Not a very creative title, but the title card itself looks great.

Short Subject: Cat Nap Pluto (1948)

Figaro annoys Pluto.

Short Subject: Bath Day (1946)

Figaro gets a bath and hates it.

Short Subject: First Aiders (1944)

Minnie practices first aid and Pluto and Figaro take the opportunity to annoy one another.

Short Subject: Figaro and Frankie (1947)

Figaro becomes Sylvester.

Short Subject: Rollercoaster Painters (1999)

The trio paints a roller coaster.

Short Subject: Mickey’s Service Station (1935)

The very first time Mickey, Donald, and Goofy appeared in a short as a trio.

Short Subject: Ye Olden Days (1933)

Well that was fun.

Short Subject: The Cactus Kid (1933)

The Gallopin’ Gaucho 2.0 

Short Subject: Mickey Steps Out (1931)

Good grief!

Let’s Review a Movie: Springtime With Roo (2004)

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

A Tribute to Leonard Nimoy

On what would have been his 85^th birthday I salute the world’s honorary grandpa.

The Nitpicker's Guide to Star Trek Into Drakness Part 4

Is it over yet?

The Nitpicker's Guide to Star Trek Into Darkness Part 3

Okay the stupid twist has been revealed so why does the film keep getting worse?

The Nitpicker's Guide to Star Trek Into Darkness Part 2

Well themes and ideas are gone so let's throw logic, creativity, and diversity out the airlock while we're at it.

The Nitpicker's Guide to Star Trek Into Darkness Part 1

Happy 85^th birthday to Mr. Bill Shatner!   

And what a year it is for Star Trek.  The Original Series is celebrating its 50^th anniversary on September 8^th a new TV Series is due out in January 2017 and they already have great talent on board like Nicolas Meyer.  And finally Star Trek Beyond is hitting theatres this summer and with a whole new creative team this third film in the reboot franchise might actually not suck. However, none of that is saving this film and so it’s not getting spared the nitpickers treatment.

Short Subject: The Grocery Boy (1932)

Well this one was almost good.

Short Subject: Mickey’s Mellerdrammer (1933)

Well I’ve just found a short that’s so far in the back of the Disney vault it surpasses ‘Song of the South’.

Short Subject: Barnyard Olympics (1932)

It’s more like chaos than any Olympic event I’ve ever witnessed, but it’s certainly fun anyway.

Short Subject: The Barnyard Battle (1929)

Meh.

Short Subject: The Barn Dance (1929)

Forget Mortimer Pete is clearly Mickey’s greatest rival.

Short Subject: The Haunted House (1929)

I liked ‘The Skeleton Dance’ more.

Short Subject: Mickey’s Elephant (1936)

Between this and ‘Donald’s Penguin’ we have excellent examples of why you do not give people pets as gifts.

Short Subject: Mickey’s Garden (1935)

Mickey gets high.

Short Subject: The Little Whirlwind (1941)

Mickey does yard work wow how exciting.

Let’s Review a Movie: Monster INC. (2001)

So this film was considered good enough to earn a sequel, but does it really hold up after all these years?

Short Subject: The Pointer (1939)

I may have just discovered my favourite Mickey short.

Short Subject: The Mad Doctor (1933)

And I thought the Epic Mickey homage to this was creepy!

Short Subject: Magician Mickey (1937)

Mickey performs a magic show.

Short Subject: The Karnival Kid (1929)

A sentient hotdog getting spanked and two cats singing on a fence getting hit with a chamber pot, it’s an Ub Iwerks animation all right.

Short Subject: Mickey’s Rival (1936)

The first appearance of Mortimer Mouse.

Short Subject: Mickey’s Parrot (1938)

Like with ‘Donald’s Penguin’ we have a cute creature getting shot at.

Short Subject: Brave Little Tailor (1938)

Love the title card for this short.

Short Subject: The Gallopin’ Gaucho (1928)

Mickey versus Pete for the very first time.

Short Subject: Plane Crazy (1928)

The very first Mickey cartoon.

Short Subject: Steamboat Willie (1928)

The very first synchronized sound cartoon.

Short Subject: The Worm Turns (1937)

Or as I like to call it sound effects!  Sound effects everywhere!

Let’s Review a TV Series: House of Mouse

For a show that basically acts as an envelope for showcasing short cartoons this has no business being good.

Short Subject: Dude Duck (1951)

Well uh…I liked the title card.

Short Subject: Out on a Limb (1950)

Donald pranks Chip and Dale and of course it backfires.

Short Subject: Donald’s Gold Mine (1942)

Well this one didn’t strike gold for me.

Short Subject: Duck Pimples (1945)

 Okay this was certainly…different, but in a good way.

Short Subject: Modern Inventions (1937)

I think I’ve found the most boring title card in all the classic shorts.

Short Subject: Donald’s Ostrich (1937)

Why does Donald keep getting other birds for pets?

Short Subject: Donald’s Penguin (1939)

We’re one slot up from ‘Dumb Bell of the Yukon’.

Short Subject: Donald’s Tire Trouble (1943)

It’s says something for creativity when people manage to take the mundane act of changing a tire and turn it into something hilarious.

Short Subject: Donald’s Vacation (1940)

Donald goes on vacation, it’s short lived.

Short Subject: Dumb Bell of the Yukon (1946)

For a short with such a fun title this thing is really dark.

Short Subject: Fire Chief (1940)

Donald lets the firehouse go up in smoke.

Short Subject: The Plastics Innventor (1944)

Donald makes a plastic airplane and both he and the audience gets a product that is half-baked.

Kung Fu Panda 3 – Early Thoughts

I’m reviewing the sequel to two movies I have never seen! (Spoilers within)

Short Subject: The New Neighbor (1953)

“It has been man’s constant labour to live in peace with his next door neighbor.”  When you’re Donald and the neighbor is Pete you know peace ain’t gonna last.

Short Subject: Donald’s Diary (1954)

Donald and Daisy get married, but not really.

Short Subject: Donald’s Dilemma (1947)

Yet another short where the title doesn’t match the content.

Short Subject: Wide Open Spaces (1947)

Another short where Donald tries to get to sleep only this time it’s in the great outdoors.

Short Subject: Early to Bed (1941)

“Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” 

Short Subject: A Good Time for a Dime (1941)

If we don’t have a good time, do we get a refund? 

Short Subject: Lucky Number (1951)

An atypical Donald vs Huey, Dewy, and Louie short.

Short Subject: Out of Scale (1951)

All aboard for fun!

Short Subject: Hook. Lion, and Sinker (1950)

Meh.

Short Subject: How to Have an Accident at Work (1959)

Donald said he was going to work where it’s safe.  Let’s see how safe it actually turned out to be.

Short Subject: How to Have an Accident in the Home (1956)

Goofy isn’t the only one who can show us how to do things.  

Short Subject: How to Hook up Your Home Theater (2007)

*hugs the short*

I love you.

Short Subject: How to Camp (2002)

Goofy goes camping and gets abducted by aliens.

Short Subject: How to Be a Gentleman (2000)

Goofy works to join a country club that involves not being country or carrying a club.

Short Subject: John Henry (2000)

My favourite of the Disney Legends shorts.

Short Subject: How to Be a Rock Star (2002)

Goofy tries to be a rock star and it fails.

Short Subject: How to Be a Baseball Fan (2000)

Goofy watches others play baseball.

Short Subject: How to Take Care of Your Yard (2000)

Goofy does gardening.

Short Subject: How to Ride a Bicycle (1999)

Goofy rides a bike.

Short Subject: How to Haunt a House (1999)

Goofy haunts a house.

Short Subject: How to Be a Spy (1999)

Well at least I can tolerate the narrator this time.

Short Subject: How to Be Smart (2001)

What the hell happened to the narrator in this one?

Short Subject: How to Be Groovy, Cool, and Fly (2001)

Oh the nostalgia!

Short Subject: How to Wash Dishes (2000)

Okay was someone on staff trying to be ironic?

Short Subject: How to Be a Waiter (1999)

And like with ‘How to play Football’  I have to ask why is it called that?

Short Subject: The Art of Skiing (1941)

Goofy goes skiing.

Short Subject: The Art of Self Defense (1941)

Goofy takes up boxing.

Short Subject: How to Swim (1942)

Goofy goes swimming.

Short Subject: How to Be a Sailor (1944)

Goofy sails the high seas.

Short Subject: How to Be a Detective (1952)

Well this is…different.

Short Subject: How to Sleep (1953)

Watch this short that will put you to sleep.

Short Subject: How to Play Baseball (1942)

Goofy plays baseball.

Short Subject: How to Dance (1953)

Hey a combination between Goofy and his fifties counterpart George Geff.

Short Subject: How to Fish (1942)

Boring!

Short Subject: How to Play Football (1944)

Why is it called that?

Short Subject: How to Play Golf (1944)

“Contrary to popular belief golf is not a waste of time.”

Well I love it already.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Early Thoughts

I am spoiling everything been warned you have.

Short Subject: Goofy’s Freeway Troubles (1965)

A direct sequel to ‘Freewayphobia.’

Short Subject: Freewayphobia (1965)

Fifteen years after Motor Mania where we got to see how people can’t drive on public roads now we get to see how they can’t drive on freeways. 

Short Subject: Motor Mania (1950)

You know it is so dang sad that this short is over 65 years old and still as relevant today as it was back then.

Short Subject: They’re Off (1948)

Horseracing!

Short Subject: Tennis Racquet (1949)

Goofy plays tennis.

Short Subject: Double Dribble (1946)

Goofy plays basketball.

Short Subject: Hockey Homicide (1945)

Score one for a short that took me by surprise.

Short Subject: Tomorrow We Diet! (1951)

The New Year resolutions are in full swing.  Let’s watch the most prominent one get broken.

Short Subject: I’m No Fool (1955-56, 1973)

I’m no fool no sir-ee I want to live to be 93.  I play it safe for you and me cause I’m no fool.