Disney Fun Day- The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is based on the story of Hans Christian Anderson though with many charming and thoroughly Disney additions. The movie tells the story of King Triton's daughter Ariel, a mermaid who dreams of the human world. One day Ariel makes a visit to the surface and sees a human for the first time- a handsome prince! It is love at first sight for Ariel and so she rescues the prince from drowning. Prince Eric hears her singing and falls in love with her voice. In a desperate attempt to return to the prince, Ariel makes a deal with sea witch Ursula. In exchange for human legs Ariel must give Ursula her voice. She must make the prince to fall in love with her and give her a kiss of true love before the sun sets on the third day or else she will return to being a mermaid and will belong to Ursula.

Before The Little Mermaid was released is a time known to Disney fans as the "dark era". Things weren't looking all that magical at the Disney Company. The movies produced were not particularly successful, and it was at this time that Disney animator Don Bluth left the company, taking 11 other animators with him, to start Don Bluth Productions. His company began releasing movies (such as Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, and The Land Before Time) that were consistently outperforming Disney's releases (The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, and Oliver & Company). The Little Mermaid marked a turning point for the company and the start of what would become known as the "Renaissance Era". From this point Disney reestablished itself as a major contender in the animation world and in fans hearts.

What I have always loved about Ariel is her gumption. She thinks for herself and goes after what she wants. There is no waiting around for this princess. Once she has decided on a course of action she throws herself into it full heartedly. That is always something to be admired about in a heroine. No matter how many times I watch this movie I feel so badly for Ariel when her father destroys everything in her grotto. As an adult I now understand that her father is just trying to protect her, but I still cannot agree with his methods and my heart breaks to see all of Ariel's hard work and dreams literally smashed to pieces . I must also confess that every time I see a large dinglehopper I am tempted to start combing my hair with it! I don't do it… I just really, really want to! This was only made worse when Disney started actually selling a Dinglehopper Hairbrush! (Sold here if anyone is interested!) 

Probably my favourite part of The Little Mermaid is the music by the wonderful team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The songs are wonderfully upbeat and charming and serve to help carry the plot, much like a Broadway musical, and not just as placeholders within the movie. Even Chef Louis' song about cooking up dinner is able to make me smile, even though Sebastian's life is in danger! The Little Mermaid actually won two Academy Awards for Best Score and Best Song ("Under the Sea"). I must say I agree with the Academy on the best song! "Under the Sea" is a catchy, upbeat, comedic, and is an all-around good time! Interesting fact about Sebastian- it was Howard Ashman that recommended changing Sebastian (then called Clarence) from and English-butler crab into a Jamaican Rastafarian crab! Can you imagine The Little Mermaid without the calypso-style "Under the Sea"?!

The Little Mermaid is a wonderful and charming movie that seems to always be able to transport me back to a childhood of pretending I was a mermaid every time I was in water (bathtub included!). This film was successful enough to be followed by a sequel that tells the story of Ariel's daughter Melody (The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea), and a prequel that follows the adventures of a much younger Ariel (The LittleMermaid: Ariel’s Beginning). 

 

For those interesting in learning a little more about the Disney Renaissance Era I recommend checking out the documentary Waking Sleeping Beauty. Though I haven't yet seen it myself, it has been on my "Must Watch" list for a while!

Ellie- 9/10

Week 8 Films

This Friday, The Book Thief hits theaters. The film tells the story of a young girl named Liesel who is adopted by foster parents during the outbreak of World War II. She is able to find solace during this difficult time by turning to literature. The film is based on the novel written by Markus Zusak and stars Sophie Nelisse as Liesel, and Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson as her adoptive parents. Ben Schentzer stars in a supporting role as Max, a Jewish refugee who is sheltered by the family during the war.

This week we are going to review one of Geoffrey Rush’s most recent films, The King’s Speech. The King’s Speech stars Colin Firth as Prince Albert, the Duke of York who goes to speech therapist Lionel Logue, played by Rush, in order to overcome a speech impediment. The film is highly acclaimed and won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.

Later in the week, Chris will also review the blockbuster hit Thor 2. Thor 2 stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, the crown prince of Asgard who must battle a new foe in order to protect the Nine Realms. The film also stars Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Christopher Eccleston.

Ready for The Book Thief? Tweet us @moviereviewclub!

What's New?

Released on DVD this Tuesday

Tuesday, November 12
Click here to check out any of the trailers for these movies.

Man of Steel

A reboot of the Superman film series portrays the character’s origin story as he his forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race.

Turbo

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

Coming to Theatres Next Friday

Friday, November 15

Click here to check out any of the trailers for these movies.

The Book Thief

While subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Lisel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refuge is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.

The Best Man Holiday

Sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man, the college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays. They will discover how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be ignited.

The Wolf of Wall Street

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, this is the tale of his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption, and the federal government.

Throwback Thursday - School of Rock

After being kicked out of his own band, struggling guitar player Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black) needs to find a way to make money. Luckily Dewey’s friend and roommate Ned Schneebly (played by Mike White) is a teacher currently working his way through substituting trying to find a full time teaching position, and when Dewey picks up an emergency call for Ned from a prestigious prep school he pretends to be Ned and takes the position. The position is to substitute in a grade 5 class, and although Dewey starts out just being there for the paycheck he soon learns of the childrens musical talents and decides to use them to form a band to compete in the “Battle of the Bands”. From here you watch Dewey grow from simply using these kids, too actually caring about them and just wanting to inspire them. Although most of the children from this film were actually musicians that auditioned for the roles this film also stars: Sarah Silverman as Patty Di Marco (Ned’s controlling fiancé), Joan Cusack as Rosalie Mullins (the principal if the school), and debuts Miranda Cosgrove as Summer Hathaway (an ambitious student and band manager). 

I think this may have to be one of my all time favorite movies. I loved it as a kid when it came out, I love it now, and Jack Black is amazing in this. I think one of the things that makes this movie so great and successful is how it plays off of people’s fantasy of being a rock star which is a mix of popularity and living a life where you don’t have to worry about lifes regular problems (like bills or a regular job). To be honest I’m finding it very hard to explain why I like this movie so much, between the characters and the music I just enjoy every moment of this film.  

I think that my favorite part of School of Rock is their Battle of the Bands performance, and I think this is due to a mix of nostalgia from watching the film as a child and how cool the concept of all these young kids playing a major rock show is. The one thing that throws me now though is how they are suppose to be a grade 5 class, but watching it they seem much older. To me it would have made more sense for them to be in grade 7 or 8 only because this would still make them young, but they would be a few years more mature and independent.

A big part of this movie is the soundtrack, which includes:

•  “Substitute” by The Who

• “Fight” by No Vacancy

•  “Touch Me” by The Doors

• “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream

• “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin (how they were able to use this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlk8DhHYDNw)

•  “Set You Free” by The Black Keys

• “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks

• “Heal Me, Im Heartsick” by No Vacancy

• “Growing on Me” by The Darkness

•  “Ballrooms of Mars” by T. Rex

• “My Brain is Hanging Upside Down” by the Ramones

Most of the music in this movie was inspired by Jack Black’s taste so that he could relate to the music and more accurately portray its attitudes. It is interesting to watch the montage of Jack Black teaching the kids the history of rock and then watch a documentary like “Metal: AHeadbanger’s Journey” and “Global Metal” where they portray almost the same passion as Dewey has and show you the importance of the growth of music and how it affects pop culture. 

 I have always wanted to see a sequel for this movie and in 2008 it seemed like it was going to happen, but after it feel through there hasn’t been very much talk of a sequel. In 2012 Jack Black was asked about the possibility of a sequel and he said that he didn’t want to make one for the sake of making one and as of right now it did not look like it was going to happen. Although on August 29^th 2013 there was a 10^th anniversary party for School of Rock where Jack Black did say that it was doubtful but finished with never say never. At this reunion there was not only a Q&A with the cast and crew after screening where the cast went over where their lives had taken them, but they also got back together to perform “School of Rock”, which was amazing to watch but also made me feel old.

 

All in all I would recommend this movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it as a fun comedy that anyone of any age can sit down and enjoy.

Chris - 8/10