Superman is the original comic book hero. Sure, what we consider comics existed in various forms for years before his debut in 1938, but once he came into the cultural zeitgeist with Action Comics #1, the "Man of Steel" has been the standard by which all heroes are judged. An orphan from a distant and … Continue reading More Human Than Humans – Superman
The first Moana film was an undeniable triumph for Disney back in 2016. It featured a cool new heroine, had dazzling animation, featured a ton of great songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, and gave audiences that alchemical blend of heart and humor that Walt Disney Animation Studios used to churn out with almost effortless regularity. The … Continue reading On the Row Again – Moana 2
The Walt Disney Company was founded 100 years ago, and while I have had myriad issues with their corporate structure and priorities, particularly over the last decade or so, the one thing I and many others can always look forward to is the latest entry into the Disney Animation Studios canon. Beginning with Snow White … Continue reading Bye, Centennial! – Wish
If you're wondering why I haven't posted anything in the last week, there's a very good reason. I just spent five days at this year's AFI Fest in Hollywood. Over the course of the festival, I took in an insane 15 movies, including 10 that have been submitted for the Oscar for International Feature. Needless … Continue reading This Film is Not Yet Watchable – November 2023
When it's all said and done, 2022 will be a very unique year for animation, in that the traditional powerhouses of the genre, Disney and Pixar, have decidedly not put their best feet forward relative to their competition. Whereas last year the field was so weak that Encanto won the Oscar for Animated Feature basically … Continue reading A Rusty Venture – Strange World
Welcome to the first review for the official 2021 cinematic canon! Yes, I've been doing reviews ever since the calendar turned over nearly three months ago, but all of those were 2020 movies that had delayed releases (strategically and by circumstance) and/or are competing in this year's Academy Awards. If 2020 had been normal, they … Continue reading A Grand, Mystical Fetch Quest – Raya and the Last Dragon
In 2012, Wreck-It Ralph was my favorite movie of the year. I knew it only had a chance to be nominated for Animated Feature at the Oscars - which it did, losing out to Brave - but it hit very close to home for me. I was in a pretty dark place at the time (lonely, miserable, self-loathing), … Continue reading Disney Uses IP to Address the Meaning of Friendship – Ralph Breaks the Internet
I Actually Paid To See This 