Dec 01, 2006

Zoe Discusses Animation

Animated movies have been one of the staples of my movie viewing lately. From The FUNNY FACTORY Series that is being release from Disney ( MICKEY, DONALD, GOOFY and HUEY, DEWEY & LOUIE) to the latest installment of the Barbie Movies (this time we have 12 DANCING PRINCESSES.) This is a great opportunity to view the oldest type of animation and the newest. Plus, and I know I will get grief from some folks for this, The Barbie videos are nice and sweet. We have a new Garfield video (GARFIELD: A TAIL OF TWO KITTIES) that is the story of mistaken identity and lasagna. Another nice movie for all ages is THE WILD. It looks at first like a re-tread of MADAGASCAR, but it stands well on its own. Plus how many animated movies have the sport of curling represented in them? MONSTER HOUSE is something the older kids might like. It is a good old fashion scary movie. The characters were drawn in a peculiar way, that makes it stand out from the pack. CARS has just been released and it is exactly what you expect from Pixar, a story that young and old will enjoy. My second favorite animated movie on the wall is OVER THE HEDGE. Hammy the Squirrel is similar to Twitchy the Squirrel in HOODWINKED (A squirrel is after all a squirrel) but the charm of this tale of animals and humans and their relationship to food and family is both heart warming and hilarious. This is another movie that everyone in the family will enjoy. (be aware that Nick Nolte plays a pretty scary bear)

Don’t forget new release TV Shows like FAMILY GUY, THE SIMPSONS, SOUTH PARK, THE TICK, PINKY & THE BRAIN, AVATAR and the SNL BEST OF TV FUNHOUSE (with a great spoof of the Titanic in it’s extra features)

This animation focus is relevant to me because one of my favorite movies EVER, THE LITTLE MERMAID, has been re-released. It is beautiful, pristine and reminds me why I love movies in the first place. If it has been years since you have seen it, or if you have never seen it before, now is the time.