Music Mondays - Sing-Along Songs

I'm a creature of habit. One of my habits includes obsesively listening to songs and watching movies over and over again. Of course, my favorite combination of these two was always the sing-along-song videos we always had growing up.

Of these, my all-time favorite was one set entirely in Disneyland - Disneyland Fun!

Along with some old Disney favorites such as "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "Whistle While You Work", the collection also featured several songs based on the theme park itself, like "It's a Small World" and "I'm Walkin' Right Down the Middle of Main Street U.S.A."

Even watching them now, these songs put a grin on my face that only politics can wipe away. These videos were probably some of my first bits of exposure to musicals and musical theater, and I think that Disney was a huge part of lives of anyone who grew up in the nineties. I remember that my visits to Disney World were some of my most vivid memories, despite the fact that most of the rides terrified me. I liked being completely immersed in a world of fantasy. I expect that's true of most children), so naturally this video drew in more than the others, as it brought back a lot of what I felt on those visits.

Among the numbers in this video were two that especially marked me as a child: "Makin' Memories" and "Grim Grinnin' Ghosts".

Now, I know why "Grim Grinnin' Ghosts" has stuck with me all this time - because it thoroughly and completely terrified me as a child. I literally could not watch it. I remember constantly having to fast-forward through it because I knew that watching it would give me nightmares.

Like this, but with a much prettier nightgown.

I guess it follows that "Makin' Memories" would be the other number I'd remember, seeing as it directly preceded "Grim Ginnin' Ghosts". I remember that I could never fully enjoy the song as I kept anticipating the moment I'd have to quickly press fast-forward on the VCR remote and avert my eyes so as only to read the lyrics so I'd know when it was safe to look again...

It's funny because though I almost always skipped it, I've apparently watched "Grim Grinnin' Ghosts" enough times to remember most of the lyrics. The riff at the beginning though, the ooooh ooooh ooooh ooooooooh... That would haunt my dreams. If I remember correctly, it became my trademark creepy song whenever I made up stories or games as a kid. It was the scariest thing I'd ever watched until "Signs" in sixth grade.

"The Duck in the ghost costume... HE'S COMING!!!!!"

It's sort of an interesting contrast when you think of it - at least for the grown-ups watching - filling you up with nostalgia about happier times then WHAM a song that's basically a thinly-veiled reminder of your own mortality. Should this have been a Macabre Monday instead?

"Tonight, a commentary on our most ingrained fears." "Yaaaaaaaay!!!"

Did you watch Sing Along Songs as a kid? Did you watch them, perhaps, with kids of your own? Do you have any favorites?

Buena Vista Street

It was exactly one year ago that work began on Buena Vista Street, the newest addition to Disney's Califonia Adventure. The plan is convert the nondescript Walt Disney Plaza into a recreation of Los Angeles when Disney himself arrived there in 1923. Here's a 3D rendering of what the finished themed entrance will look like:




This is the latest in a series of changes to the park; making up a $1.1 Billion renovation of the park, with minor changes to Golden Coast and Hollywood Pictures Backlot (now Hollywoodland), a total re-haul of Paradise Pier and Walt Disney Plaza (soon to be Buena Vista Street), and even an entirely new area for the theme park: Cars Land, based on Radiator Springs and the entire cast of Pixar's "Cars". These changes come just in time for the park's tenth anniversary and are set to be completed just after the celebrations in 2012.

Satellite image of the original entrance and the new entrance blueprint.

Disney California Adventure had been expected to be a huge success; Disney executives fully expected to have to turn away visitors but were sorely disappointed by attendance in the first months and years after the park's opening. This major renovation is a direct result of California Adventure's struggles to keep up with it's next-door neighbor, Disneyland.

An in-progress photo with the intact Golden Gate in the background.

Paradise Pier has already completed its transformation into an early 20th century boardwalk, as opposed to the disjointed, pier theme park it originally was. Complaints arose when the park opened that this section of the park, in particular, seemed cheap, cookie-cutter, and like something you could find in any other 'ordinary' theme park. Although many of the changes were cosmetic, the addition of two new rides (Toy Story Midway Madness and a dark ride based on The Little Mermaid) and the unprecedented "World of Color" hydrotechnic experience have ultimately made the renovation worthwhile so far.

Part of the World of Color show

The Buena Vista Street project is not quite as ambitious, without any planned rides save a vintage-style trolley that will take guests from the entrance directly to the foot of the Tower of Terror. Both the miniature Golden Gate Bridge and the California Zephyr train are being replaced with more in-theme decor. In what was once 'Sunshine Plaza' - the hub from which guests could enter all the different lands - a replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre (where Snow White premiered in 1937) is in the works. It looks like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit might even get a nod with his own gas station in the main square (Who's Oswald? Find out next Friday). The new art-deco entrance gates were completed this past July, and most of the renovations should be ready sometime this fall.

Artist's Rendering of the Central Plaza with the Carthay Circle Theatre

Cars Land will feature several new rides, including one based on Test Track in Epcot. Construction of this and the other lands can be seen on Google Maps.

Concept Rendering for Radiator Springs

Ultimately these changes should serve as a pick-me-up to the down-on-its-luck California Adventure. Seems like the 1.1 Billion are being put to good use - Disney is directly addressing many of the complaints made by guests: a lack of attractions, poor theme cohesion, and a general absence of the 'Disney touch'.

A maquette for the statue of Disney to be placed in Buena Vista Street

I have yet to visit either of the Anaheim parks, but these additions make the idea all the more tempting.



Sources:
Reckard, E. Scott "The Most Jam-Packed Theme Park on Earth?" LA Times, Jan. 14 2001

MacDonald, Brady "Disney California Adventure Extreme Makeover to Transform Entrance" LA Times, Dec. 21 2010

MacDonald, Brady "Review: Disappointing Goofy's Sky School Coaster Marks End of Paradise Pier Makeover at Disney California Adventure" LA Times, Jun. 28 2011

Cress, Robby "Early Homes and Studios of Walt Disney" Dear Old Hollywood, Oct. 6 2010

Movie Review - Toy Story 3

This was a great family movie. It's got something for everyone - the parents, the children, and even the teens who were reluctantly dragged into the theater! This film explores the themes of growing up and letting go while still being paced to keep the kiddies entertained.

The story follows our original hero Andy who's now all grown up and leaving for college. His room, once brimming with toys as we remember from the original Toy Story, is now populated only by a handful of survivors who sit in his toy box collecting dust. When Andy's mother accidentally throws them away, the toys donate themselves to Sunnyside Daycare, which they soon find out is an awful place to be...

Most of the remaining characters are voiced by the original actors (with the unnoticeable exception of Slinky, voiced by Blake Clarke since the passing of Jim Varney) which already gives it points in my book. Not only that, but the animation style and quality are actually superior to the first two films. This is important since most sequels released by Disney tend to be made much more cheaply than the originals, or are made so long after the originals that they don't seem to really follow the original. The Toy Story franchise has retained its tone, the charm and personalities of its characters, and the general good vibes since the first film in 1995. Toy Story is also the film that sparked a long and highly successful string of films, including Finding Nemo and Up, which is the first CGI film to be nominated in that category. It really excites me to think of what Pixar will come up with next!

The humor in this film - though sparser than I had expected - hit a home run. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Barbie and Ken, as well as the sequences with Bonnie's toys (how can you not love a thespian porcupine in lederhosen?). Here is where the movie fits for everyone. There's a lot of slapstick and physical humor for the little ones as well as some more clever jokes and even risque jokes that go over their heads and are aimed more at adults.

In keeping with Pixar tradition, this movie made me cry my eyes out during several scenes. Of course the idea of Andy going off to college hit home with my mother and me, but it was also the idea (emphasized toward the end) that you're never too old to play and use your imagination. This is why I love Pixar films, they really do drive home important lessons for children, like perseverance or friendship, in a realistic way.

As to the appropriateness of the film, I say everything is fine but for one element: the monkey. Younger or more easily frightened children might not like this character. Even I found him a bit creepy. Other than that, parents should find no objections to the film.

If you're like me, you enjoyed not the first two Toy Story films, but also most of Pixar's body of work. If you are indeed like me, go see this film!

Nostalgically Yours

The Princess and the Frog - Movie Review

Unless otherwise noted, my reviews will contain NO SPOILERS


This was an excellent film! I truly hope this - like "The Little Mermaid" of 1989 - will be the start of a long string of wonderful animated musicals from the family movie king.

I unfortunately missed the first few minutes of the film due to a momentary loss of my normally keen sense of direction, and came in during what I think is the first song: "I'm Almost There". I was instantly hooked! In the number, Tiana describes her dream - owning a successful restaurant on the banks of the Mississippi* River in New Orleans. The art in this song is sumptuous, keeping in mind my completely biased POV as a total Costume History nerd, really showing off Art Deco with a colorful NoLA twist. Though there are a few rushed spots in the storyline, character development and enjoyment of the film do not suffer.

I honestly wasn't expecting much from a Randy Newman score, but I was pleasantly surprised! Unlike a compilation of his assorted works in other movies, the songs didn't all sound the same, except for the Cajun through-line. The songs helped build the characters' different personalities, which I always love!

As to historical accuracy**, this movie does a very good job at staying true to the times. The costume design in this film is excellent. Interesting side note: this may be the only animated Disney wedding sequence to date featuring paparazzi! (If that was a spoiler than you've never seen a Disney movie)

Here are some important warnings for sensitive viewers. This film contains various snakes and reptiles, which may frighten some audience members. Insects are also included, but didn't bother me. Young children may be frightened by certain segments in the film - if they couldn't sit through the "Snow White" tree sequence or the headless horseman's part in "Ichabod Crane" you may need to cover their eyes or wait for the DVD. These were the only things I noticed, but if you have specific questions, feel free to comment with them!


Go see this movie!
Nostalgically Yours

*The reason I will always know how to spell Mississippi? A little orphan named Annie :D "M-I-doubleS-I-doubleS-I-doubleP-I"
**I will always talk about this when discussing a period film.