Nightmare before Christmas

1993

Director: Henry Selick

Produced: Tim Burton

Distributor: Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures

Key Elements: Concept - Music – Gospel - Visual

Review:

Jack is more or less the king of Halloween, but he senses an emptiness in his life. That’s when he stumbles upon Christmas …and tries to claim it as his own. The movie really doesn’t explore this premise much beyond the basic idea, but it unfolds in gorgeous – now iconic – imagery. And the visuals really are the point of this picture.

[Spoiler Warning:]

And I love that the Boogeyman is defeated when he unravels into nothing – To me it makes a great statement about how a lot of our fears really have no substance to them.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• Nice work, Bone Daddy!
• I, Jack, the Pumpkin King, grow tired of the same old thing.
• Just because I cannot see it, doesn't mean I can't believe it!
• You've poisoned me for the last time, you wretched girl!
• This year, Christmas will be - OURS!
• J-J-J-Jack! But they said you were dead. You must be - double dead!
• How dare you treat my friend so shamefully!
• together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be.

Stills:

Ratatouille

2007

Director: Brad Bird / Jan Pinkava

Composer: Michael Giacchino

Distributor: Disney / Pixar

Key Elements: Visuals – Characters – Message – Music

My Review:

So many movies, when they set out to send a message of loving what you do, show you someone who’s sold out – a negative example. Not so in this movie. The main character is a rat who loves to cook – purely and consistently.

Supporting this message is a fun, engaging, well-told story and yet another masterpiece of visual beauty from Pixar.

Trailer:




Quotes:

• This is me. I think it's apparent that I need to rethink my life a little bit. What's my problem? First of all, I'm a rat. Which means, life is hard. Second, I have a highly developed sense of taste and smell.


• Although each of the world's countries would like to dispute this fact, we French know the truth: The best food in the world is made in France. The best food in France is made in Paris.


• You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul. What I say is true - anyone can cook... but only the fearless can be great.


• How can I describe it? Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell. There is excellence all around you. You need only to be aware to stop and savor it.


• If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.


• I hate to be rude, but we're French!


• In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.

Stills:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

2005

Director: Andrew Adamson

Composer: Harry Grerson-Williams

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures / Walden Media

Key Elements: Story – Visuals – Characters – Message – Symbolism – Music - Gospel

My Review:

I was amazed at how well this movie was made. It’s very well for a movie to stay true to its literary sources, but this one did it.

Lewis’ classic story is faithfully reproduced here with gorgeous music and stunning visuals.

James McAvoy makes Tumnus come alive in ways I’d never imagined. And the battle sequence is incredible.

But the best thing about this story is how it symbolizes the gospel. Aslan gives his life as a ransom for Edmund. But death cannot hold him and he returns to free Narnia from evil. It’s exactly what Jesus did for us.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Now, are you familiar with any Narnian lullabies?
  - Sorry, no.
  Well that's good, because this probably won't sound anything like one.
• Impossible!
• When Adam's Flesh and Adam's bone sits at Cair Paravel in throne, the evil time will be over and done.
• There's a right bit more than hope. Aslan... is on the move.
• The great cat is dead!
• For Narnia and for Aslan!
• He's not a tame lion.
  - No... but he is good.

Stills:

A Goofy Movie

1995

Director: Kevin Lima

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures / Buena Vista Pictures

Key Elements: Story – Lines –Characters – Message – Music

My Review:

I was crazy about this movie when it came out. I was ten years old and felt like this movie was made especially for me. With great animation, funny lines and sequences and an important message, it’s one of the better original Disney movies to be made in a while.

But the best part about it is that it shows the importance of a father in a boys life. Max and Goofy are at each others throats through most of the story. But when they open up to each other, they find they can understand each other and finally come together.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• This is a vacation with me and my best buddy.
  - Donald Duck?
  No, silly, with you!
• Good-bye, hopes... Good-bye, dreams... Good-bye, Roxanne...
• How many cups of sugar does it take to get to the moon?
  - Uh... three and a half?

Stills:

Sleeping Beauty

1959

Director: Clyde Geronimi

Distributor: Buena Vista / Walt Disney Pictures

Key Elements: Story – Symbolism – Message – Visuals

My Review:

A prince fights a dragon to rescue a princess from a curse. You can’t get much more fairytale than that.

And behind it all are highly stylized, beautifully layered hand-painted backgrounds. This movie’s style actually stands out among the rest of Disney’s work at the time.

But my favorite thing about this movie is how it symbolizes the gospel.

Aura is under a curse that has her indefinitely asleep – similar to how we are all dead in our sins. Along comes the prince to conquer the dragon – just as Jesus conquered sin and death on the cross. Afterwards, he awakens the princess with a kiss and they live happily ever after – Our relationship with Jesus gives us new, abundant life with Him.

I also like that the prince is a character in this story, not just an accessory awarded to the princess in the end like a lot of Disney movies.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Sweet princess... if through this wicked witch's trick, a spindle should your finger prick... a ray of
• hope there still may be in this, the gift I give to thee. Not in death, but just in sleep, this fateful prophecy you'll keep. And from this slumber you shall wake, when true love's kiss, the spell shall break.
• Maleficent doesn't know anything about love, or kindness, or the joy of helping others. You know, sometimes I don't think she's really very happy.
• Now, father, you're living in the past. This is the 14th century!
• Rose! Rose! Don't touch ANYTHING!
• The Forest of Thorns shall be his tomb! Move through the skies on a fog of doom! Now go with the curse, and serve me well! Round Stefan's Castle, CAST MY SPELL!
• Now sword of truth, fly swift and sure, that evil die and good endure!For true love conquers all!

Stills:

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

2003

Director: Gore Verbinski

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures / Buena Vista Pictures

Key Elements: Characters – Lines - Concept – Music

My Review:

I don’t think anyone would have expected a movie based on a theme park ride to be THIS good.

The greatness of the movie is due in large part, of course, to Johnny Depp’s charismatic character. When the sequels were made, something of the Jack Sparrow character was lost. He was made into a purely comedic character - a sort of lucky bumbler. But in this fist movie, his humor comes from how sly and clever he is. And that’s what made the character great in the first place.

Trailers:



Quotes:

• Captain... Captain Jack Sparrow.
• We are cursed men, Miss Turner.
• You need to find yourself a girl, mate.
• This shot was not meant for you.
• So, there is a curse? That's interesting.
• Stop blowing holes in my ship!
• The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can't do.
• This is either madness... or brilliance.
• Well, yes mate. See, I'm dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It's the honest ones you need to watch out for, because you never know when they're going to do something incredibly... stupid.
• This is the day that you will ALWAYS remember as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow
• He’s a pirate… and a good man.
• Now... bring me that horizon.

Stills:

Pinocchio

1940

Director: Hamilton Luske / Ben Sharpsteen

Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures / Walt Disney Pictures

Key Elements: Story – Characters – Concept – Message – Music

My Review:

I am surprised by how many people don’t like this movie. I love it.

To me, it makes a lot of statements about growing up – about how we often fail – multiple times – before we really catch on. It’s a journey.

The biggest idea is one I’ve heard other places. If we want to be something, we should act like we already are. Pinocchio only becomes a real when he starts acting really human - putting others before himself.

Also, there’s some beautiful quintessentially Disney artwork in this movie’s detailed backgrounds.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Little puppet made of pine, awake. The gift of life is thine.
• Now, remember, Pinocchio, be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide.
• A boy who won't be good, might just as well be made of wood.
• A lie keeps growing and growing until it's as plain as the nose on your face.
• He's my conscience. He tells me what's right and wrong.
• Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself.Prove yourself brave, truthful and unselfish…

Stills:

Newsies

1992

Director: Kenny Ortega

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Key: Story – Music – Message

My Review:

I was in grade school when I first saw this. I loved it so much, I put on suspenders and started dancing around with a stick in my hand. But even after growing out of that stage, I enjoy this movie.

We see Christian Bale before he was Batman as a New York newsboy leading a strike against exploitative big publishers. The story is strung together with amazing original songs and some great dancing.

It’s a blast to watch.

Clip:



Quotes:

• In 1899, the streets of New York City echoed with the voices of newsies, peddling the papers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randalph Hearst, and other giants of the newspaper world. On every corner you saw them carrying the banner. Bringing you the news for a penny a pape. Poor orphans and runaways, the newsies were a ragged army without a leader, until one day all that changed.
• For a dreamer, night's the only time of day.
• This is for kids shinin' shoes in the streets with no shoes on their feet everyday. This is for guys sweatin' blood in the shop while the bosses and cops look away. This is to even the score. This ain't just Newsies no more. This ain't just kids with some pies in the sky, this is do it or die, this is WAR! Once and for all, we'll be there to defend one another. Once and for all, every kid is a friend, every friend a brother. Five thousand fists in the sky, five thousands reasons to try. We're going over the wall. Better to die than to crawl. Either we stand or we fall, for once, once and for all! …When you got a million voices singing, who can hear a lousy whistle blow?
• I'm just not used to havin' whether I stay or whether I go matter to anybody. Not that it should matter to you. I'm just sayin', um, well, does it? Matter?
• Sometimes all it takes is a voice, one voice that becomes a hundred, then a thousand, unless it's silenced.There's a lot of people out there, and they ain't just gonna go away. They got voices now and they're goin' to be listened to. Putting them in jail is not going to stop them. That's the power of the press, Joe. So thanks for teaching me about it.

Stills: