Lilo and Stitch

Lilo and Stitch
Released 2002
Directed By Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
Music By Alan Silvestri

Happy Summer Disney Fans!!  Well … Just like all of my seasons … Summer flew by.  I’m sure for many of you that meant traveling, fun, water parks, swimming, hiking … Well … all the things that make summer … Summer.  As I mentioned in my last post, this summer has been very busy.  June saw my third production show as Stella Boheme (appropriately titled “Fun In The Sun”) as we kicked off Pride month here on Columbus.  I had the pleasure of riding on a float as Stella as well for the Pride Parade.  It was a fun month of June.  Then July saw a two weeks of vacation out to Oregon with my family, celebrating my Papa-san’s 70 birthday, spending time with my extended family and cousins (many of whom I’ve never met until this summer!)  Oregon time also means spending time on the coast and swimming in the ocean, eating seafood, enjoying the beautiful weather (and it was amazing, little to no rain and 76 almost every day!)   Though I never got a chance to visit some of my favorite haunts like the Seaside Aquarium or the Oregon State Hatfield Marine Science Center, I spent time in new places and more importantly with family.  Or as they say in Hawaii … Ohana.

Growing up, family meant a lot to me.  You see my dad is pretty much Irish and German, and my mom is German and Japanese.  The Japanese side of my family is very close; birthdays, holidays, weddings, funerals … all of them meant gathering together in fellowship, comfort, and often times accompanied with food.  When I struck out on my own here to the Midwest and pursued my dream and education, I came with a wave of love and support, knowing that if things don’t turn out, I can always come back.  In a way, my performing as Stella has also brought me very close to a group of friends I’m proud to call my ohana … My family. 

These reflections on those we choose to call our Ohana naturally led me to this month’s film Lilo and Stitch.  Taking place on the beautiful islands of Hawaii, we see two stories and two lives converge: Stitch, the genetic creation of a mad space scientist programmed to do nothing more than destroy is trying to escape detection and capture from the Outer Galactic Grand Counsel, and Lilo, a young girl who has lost her parents and now trying to cope with life.  Two odd bodies in existence that have found each other and re-learn the meaning of family.  Adding more strands into this tapestry of family, Lilo’s older sister Nani is now trying to step up and become legal guardian and caretaker of her younger sister, including trying to find a job to support their family (with Stitch as their adopted “puppy”).  Add into the mix the two aliens, Jumba and Pleakley, sent on a mission to recover Stitch, with hilarious mishaps.  You can continue to add and add more characters into the mix, even characters with smaller roles and come to find this grand tapestry of interaction that creates this story. 

Hiiiiiiiii!!

Of course no Disney film with be Disney without immersive music to accompany the story and Alan Silvestri’s score to Lilo and Stitch brings life to the Hawaiian culture.  In the commentary to the film, the film’s directors, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, tell of combining ancient chants from Hawaii and bringing them to a world stage.  One can definitely feel the emotional impact of this music in the opening song He Mele No Lilo and in my favorite from the film Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride that plays when after a long day of job searching with no positive results, Lilo, Nani, and David spend a day of surfing, swimming, and playing in the sand.  This heartfelt music is made even stronger with the addition of a children’s choir from Hawaii singing as well.  I love listening to both songs, as they stir in me a desire to go back to the beach, or to Hawaii, and honestly … remembering the fun times I spent at Disney World swimming and sliding at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. 

Even though Lilo and Stitch was not meant to be a “blockbuster” in the sense of Cinderella or Frozen, that didn’t stop the Disney studios from getting some great voice talent for the characters.  Nani is voiced by the beautiful Tia Carrere; Ving Rames as the mysterious social worker Bubbles; Kevin McDonald of Kids In the Hall voiced the awkward Plunkley; and David Ogden Stiers voiced the character of Jumba.  If the name sounds familiar well ... it should be as Stiers also voiced Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Ratcliffe in Pocahontas, the Archdeacon in Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Kamajii in the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away when it was brought to America by John Lasseter.  Even for a Disney “B-Movie” still casting the right talent for the right character shows through in this film.

Lilo and Stitch: Perfect for celebrating the family, chosen or biological, and the magic that fills our lives because of their existence.  While on the surface a light-hearted and beautifully colorful view of Hawaiian culture, this is one of those Disney films that truly appeals and speaks to everyone.

Perfect For: Anyone you call Ohana.

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks: The blue, loveable alien himself Stitch.

Well everyone I’m happy to be back to writing this movie blog.  In some related Disney news, I have joined the Disney Movie Club (and I encourage each of you Disney fans to check it out as the sign up offer is awesome!!) I’ll have no shortage of films coming up to write on!  Also for you readers out there, please check out The Kingdom Keepers series … It’s a pre-teen series of novels taking place at Walt Disney World resort.  Great and quick reads for any Disney fan.

My first order from the Disney Movie Club!!

Enjoy the rest of your summer Disney fans … The fall time is around the corner and I’ll see you back here for the September’s movie review.

Make it a Magical Day – Pat A

Summer times!!

Hello everyone out there in Blogland!

Well as you can see it's been a very silent summer for me.  Pride, vacation, drag pageants (yes I'm foraying into the pageantry realm) needless to say it's been busy and very little time for Disney Movie Blogging.  However that doesn't mean I haven't been watching and keeping up ideas for the future.  And believe me, I've got some wonderful shows I'm going to review!!  But in the meantime, let's blog about some Disney things and plans for the future ...

First off, I've been hitting up my local library and catching up on a lot of films I missed due to such a busy schedule!!  I got around to seeing Saving Mr. Banks and Wreck It Ralph as well as purchasing copies of Gnomeo and Juliet and Tales from Earthsea (a collaboration between Pixar and Studio Ghibli).  And my mom rounded out my Pirates of the Carribean collection for my birthday (Yay go Mom!!)  In the theaters, Maleficent (with the wonderfully talented and beautiful Angeline Jolie) piqued my curiousity with a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (and for those of you that saw the movie I hope you saw the preview with the glass slipper!) I know many people did not like it (Disney Fan and Non-fan alike) however, I feel that re-tellings and re-imaginings of stories takes just as much if not more creativity to give a story new life while keeping true to the original (admittedly Maleficent does stray from time to time, however I enjoyed the story from when she was young up to the days we meet her in the original animated film).  If you don't believe me then pick up almost anything written by Gregory Maguire (author of the acclaimed book Wicked that inspired the hit Broadway musical).  Maguire's imaginative re-tellings involve the land of Oz, Victorian England, and many other places and stories we grew up knowing ... Or at least thought we knew.  Anyways, if you get a chance to see Maleficent I highly recommend you do!

Maleficent says SEE MY MOVIE!

In other exciting news, my partner and I are celebrating our 2-year anniversary today!! Two years have just FLOWN by and how does a Disney kid celebrate?  By going to Disney of course!!  Well okay that's not entirely true.  For our first anniversary (in combination with my birthday and Christmas present from my family) we drove down to Orlando and spent a magical week at Walt Disney World (and maybe took a day trip to Orlando Studios).  It was my partner's first time to the resort and my first time back since high school (we're talking almost 18 years!!).  We happen to run into friends from Columbus as well (randomly their trip was the same time as ours, TOTALLY unplanned) and had a wonderful time riding, eating, swimming, eating, water sliding, eating ... Well you get the idea.  We decided that we want to return for our five year anniversary, and go all out (stay on the resort, get the food plan, ticket pass with park hopper, the whole shebang!!) After much discussion we decide week long stay at the Caribbean Resort (which has an AMAZING pool) most likely in September of 2017 (I'm going to try for a free dining plan as well ... Save a little in the meantime right?) and we'll be making the drive down again (it is a beautiful drive through 7 states).  So anyone who would like to save up and join us please do!! The more the merrier and I love sharing my Disney magic with friends and family.  Also I'll except gift cards for Disney as well to help pay for it.  

Here's where we plan on staying!

Anyways all I'll be back in August with the next movie (not sure what that will be just yet so stay tuned). 

Have a Magical Day everyone --Pat A 

UPDATE: June's movie

Hello Disney Fans!!

Well this June is going to be another crazy month, with Pride and vacation just around the corner.  That's right everyone ... Vacation time is just a short two weeks away.  I will be traveling out to Oregon and visiting my family for my dad's 70th birthday!! Both immediate and extended family will be there (many of whom I've not seen in several years) on the beautiful Oregon Coast.

Inspired by this, June's Disney movie will be ...

FINDING NEMO!!!

Soon I'll have pictures to share to go along with my posts of my vacation. 

Have a Magical Day Everyone!! --Pat A

The Three Caballeros

The Three Caballeros
Released 1945
Directed By Norman Fergusson, Clyde Geronimi, Jack Kinney, Bill Roberts, Harold Young
Music By Edward H Plumb, Paul J Smith, Charles Wolcott

Happy Cinco de Mayo or … really Fiesta de Mayo Disney fans!!  I apologize for my absence in April as my schedule for work, performing and all around life madness!!  But I’m back in full force and ready to jump into this month’s film: The Three Caballeros!

The Three Caballeros was created in 1945 and features the animated talents of Donald Duck and his two amigos, the parrot Joe Carioca and roustabout rooster Panchito.  Much like the manner of Make Mine Music and Melody Time, Three Caballeros is a montage of films featuring the cultures south of the border, including all around Mexico and areas of South America.  Set on Donald Duck’s birthday (Friday the 13^th appropriately enough) and Donald receives a film reel projector with films about his feathered cousins from all over the world.  Donald is then taken on a whirlwind tour on a magic serape all-around Mexico to learn the different regionalisms and folk dances and music.  The live performers come from all over Central and South America: the vocal talents of Aurora Miranda from Brazil and Dora Luz of Mexico, and the dancing talents Carmen Molina, and, along with a multitude of musicians playing various indigenous musical instruments.  This film marks one of the first times Disney animators mixed live actors interacting with animated characters, and set the groundwork for later films such as Mary Poppins.  The Three Caballeros was made to help improve relations between the US and South America as a result of the Good Neighbor Policies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Within these shorts of music and stories, we are exposed to the cultures of Mexico, Central and South America from events and fiestas to language and folklore.  In the film we follow Donald and his feathered cousins through The South Pole, Brazil, and eventually all around Mexico. 

Really I find my blogs have a tendency to be research heavy … Like I’m writing a paper for film studies or musicology back in my Master’s days.  Oh yes, I do hold a Master’s in Music in Vocal Performance, which is why my focus on the Disney films I choose levitates towards the music.  This movie holds my favorite of all Disney songs, an honor that’s hard to bestow as I love most Disney songs.  But the section of “Quindin di Iaia” do this day makes me want to get up and dance.  The combination of fun Latin rhythms that later gets mixed into some big band sound and Aurora Miranda’s voice … Well that’s just a recipe for success right there.  A funny story I have about this film, growing up one of the few places in my little town of Ontario to rent movies was the local grocery store (Albertson’s just up the way from my house).  Well, movie or game rental was meant as a reward on Friday’s if the week had been especially busy or my sister and I had achieved something (good grades or passing that hard test).  Every time I saw The Three Caballeros I would pester my mom to rent it and inevitably the answer was “No you’ve already seen it!”  I knew this answer was coming but I asked anyways because … You never quite knew if she would turn around and say okay.  The areas visited in Mexico like Veracruz, or Patzcuaro, would later inspire me to travel to Mexico.  In fact, had I not seen this film from an early age and gotten a pique of curiosity about the world around me I probably wouldn’t be the traveler I am.  Disney’s ability to bring the world around you down to your television screen or even experience a slice of culture at his park Epcot in Florida, which was Disney’s vision for the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow, a place where countries are only a short trip away.  This I think started early with Disney’s love of literature that led to his amazing films … England gave us Mary Poppins, France gave us The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and from Australia we got Finding Nemo.  We have the world around us to inspire our imaginations to create what we wish to create.  Again the lesson of Disney in everything he created. 

The Three Caballeros: While a much older film, still a fun romp through cultures of our friends south of the border.  Fun music, folk dancing, and a little history on feather cousins as well.

Perfect For: The globe trekker

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks:  One of the rare instances you’ll see all three main characters at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot Center on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (formerly known as El Rio Del Tiempo).  And if you’re lucky you just may see Donald by the ramp up to the pyramid for a photo op. 

Well Disney friends … Normally this is where I announce my next film for review for the next month but to be honest, I haven’t decided what that shall be yet.  There are a great many films I’ve been watching and looking through.  You see Pride is around the corner and my alter-shego, Stella Boheme, will be making some appearances.  So when I have decided what film I shall be reviewing I’ll post an update from my phone!!  I want to wish you all a wonderful summer as I know many of you fellow Disney addicts will be traveling to Disneyland and Disney World alike and I also want to wish my LGBTQA readers a happy Pride month, be safe and love each other!!

Be safe, be happy, and as always Make it a Magical Day  --Pat A

The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog 

Released 2009

Directed By Ron Clements and Jon Musker

Music By Randy Newman

Happy March Madness/St Patrick's Day/Mardi Gras blog land!!!  I just love the month of March as it means the end of winter (and let's face it this has been one LOOOOOOOOOOOONG winter) and time to start celebrating the earth waking up and becoming green again.  For you sports fans you have March Madness to look forward to and St. Patrick's Day for a reason to party (like we really need much of one right?)  And this year Fat Tuesday happened to fall early in the month of March as well.  And you all know, where there's Fat Tuesday ... There's MARDI GRAS!!!  The party in New Orleans of outlandish proportions full of debauchery before the lenten season.  But then again ... Isn't that the purpose of Mardi Gras?  One last day of frivolity before going into the season of fasting and reflection.  

Years ago when I was in grade school, my family's business had the opportunity to attend a convention in New Orleans around the time of Mardi Gras.  It was an amazing experience ... Waking up during the morning and seeing the mist on the river, experiencing jazz, amazing food ... and even met a mule named Aretha Franklin!!  The people of New Orleans lived life with flair and gusto that is unrivaled to this day and for anyone who has an appreciation for good food, good music and a good time be sure to carve out a vacation for New Orleans.  You won't regret the choice! 

In honor of Mardi Gras this month's film is The Princess and the Frog.  That's right everyone ... the classic story of a princess who finds a frog begging for a kiss ... But with a little twist and new location.  Taking place in New Orleans during Jazz Age, we follow the adventures of Tiana and Naveen through the Louisiana Bayou and into the heart of New Orleans during Mardi Gras.  What I love most about this movie is how the Disney crew was able to capture the culture of New Orleans.  From the amazing dishes of Tiana's cooking to Big Daddy La Bouff being the king of Mardi Gras, Dr. Facilier and Mama Odie's hoodoo and voodoo, to the music of Randy Newman capturing all the different types of Jazz.  In the audio commentary of the movie the directors talk about spending several months in New Orleans to learn and capture the culture.  Much like previous films done by Disney, the voice acting was not overlooked.  Tiana is voiced by the very talented Anika Noni-Rose.  My first experience with Anika as an actress came from the movie Dreamgirls as she played the role of Lorelle.  The heartbreaker and happy-go-lucky Prince Naveen voiced by Bruno Campos, who has enjoyed a career in TV dramas such as The Closer and ER.  Dr. Facilier and future lackey Lawrence were voiced by Keith David and Peter Bartlett.  John Goodman gave life to Big Daddy La Bouff and Oprah Winfrey lent her vocal talents to Tianna’s mother Eudora.  There’s even a small “guest spot” for celebrity chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse!!  

The music of Princess and the Frog also gives us a taste of New Orleans.  Randy Newman’s score and songs give us a flavor of the many types of Jazz and Americana music.  Mama Odie gives us a taste of gospel with her song “Dig A Little Deeper” while Ray shows his Cajun roots with “Going Down The Bayou.”  Louis the Gator homages Louis Armstrong with his stylings on the trumpet and we’re introduced to Prince Naveen during a ragtime jam in the streets of the French Quarter.  We even get a visual styling of Jazz during the party scene where different party-goers showcase the dances of the time like the Charleston and Lindy Hop.  One remarkable feat of the cast was their ability to not only voice the characters but also sing them as well.  This hadn’t been done since Beauty and the Beast in 1991. 

Princess and the Frog.  I confess I’m unsure where to start with this film … The film takes me back to the movie-musicals like Beauty and the Beast, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Aladdin, where there was little to no computer animation.  By blending those elements with a new twist on a classic children’s fairytale, Disney has managed to stay current while not forgetting its origins. 

In the audio commentary, Jon Musker comments on the “two obsessions” in New Orleans, food and music.  These two elements weaving throughout the film are what caught me as well.  My musical life started at the age of 9 when I started taking piano lessons and singing with a local children’s chorus, which then led me into playing the organ and taking up singing lessons and all the way to getting a Masters in Music.  Growing up family gatherings at my house involved the parents, grandparents, great grandparents at times, cousins, aunts, uncles, spouses … Needless to say they were big affairs.  Christmas, Easter, birthdays, weddings, even funerals were normally celebrated with food.  Thanksgiving always had at least two turkeys and so many sides that it took two or three long banquet tables to place everything.  Food became a means of celebrating and sharing with family, even some of whom we may not have seen for years.  In the movie, Tiana’s father tells a very young Tiana “You know the thing about good food? It brings folks together from all walks of life. It warms them right up and it puts little smiles on their faces” and that’s what we did; fellowship through food.  Food brings together Louis, Naveen, Ray, and Tiana and even helps melt a little of the ice between the two main characters.  I noticed that it seemed as though we had both elements characterized in the main characters, Tiana hardworking, passionate and dedicated to her cooking and her dream of owning her own restaurant while Naveen, fun-loving, playboy, and frivolous wanting nothing more than to play and enjoy jazz music.  The Yin/Yang of life in our two main characters, which brings us to the finals thoughts of this blog …

Princess and the Frog: A modern, Jazzy twist on a classic tale.  Not only do we see a new twist on a Disney film, but a blend old techniques and new takes on characters to create a fun family film. 

Perfect For: The dreamer that shies away from hard work … Or the hard worker that shies away from dreaming.  The princess in your life that knows the value of working towards your dream.

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks:  Being inducted into the pantheon of princesses, you’ll most likely run into Tiana herself ready to share her secret for some amazing beignets.

Well kids … another month blog has passed.  I am hoping you all will have a safe March and that spring is just around the corner for you (I know I’m ready for better weather!)  Next month’s film: Hunchback of Notre Dame.  And now it’s time for me to invest in the two newest films for my collection: Saving Mr. Banks and Frozen. They are now released on DVD and I can’t WAIT to get my copies!!!

Have a Magical Day all!! – Pat A

Cinderella

Cinderella
Released 1950
Directed By Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Music By Paul J. Smith, Oliver Wallace with songs by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston

Happy Valentine’s Day fellow Disney fans!!!  I hope you have plans for this holiday, be it with your spouse, significant other, or friends and that you are staying safe in this extended winter weather.  I really don’t have much set up for this month’s film so … Let’s dive in!

Cinderella the classic story of a young girl treated badly by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, sneaking away to a royal ball, falling instantly in love with the Prince (and he with her) and ultimately the glass slipper fits and there’s a royal wedding.  Well … at least that’s the story in a nutshell.  In watching the special edition disc released, there’s so much that could be said about this wonderful film: the animation, the treatment of Cinderella and Lady Tremaine as people where the animals and stepsisters were truly “cartoony;” the perfect balance of comedic and magical elements with humanized and psychological depth in the character; a story that gets us to root for the underdog and rejoice and cheer when the she finds her happy ending; or the composition that gave us many memorable songs (who could resist humming “A Dream Is A Wish” or “Bibbidy Boppity Boo”).  I found myself struggling which direction to take this month’s blog until I realized: the Cinderella story parallels that of Walt Disney and many of the people involved with Walt Disney Studios. 

Walt Disney came from humble beginnings, the child of an Irish-Canadian immigrant father and German-American mother.  He and his brother Roy moved to California with basically a suitcase and the money in their pockets (which really wasn’t much). Over the course of the next few years, Walt and Roy built Walt Disney Studios, which then led to the creation of Disneyland, and the start of Disney World, which started with Walt’s idea of the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow (affectionately termed EPCOT today). Walt Disney Animation Studios had seen success with the full length animated feature of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves when it was released in 1937 but hadn’t really had a successful movie since.  Without success in the film realm, the studio would soon have to close its doors.  Cinderella had provided that success needed to help bring the studio out of debt.  The voice of the heroine herself was portrayed by Ilene Woods had her Cinderella moment during the film as well.  Woods originally came in to record demo tracks of the music that would later be used in the film.  When Disney had heard the tracks he contacted Woods to play the role of Cinderella.  The music for the film was written by three Tin Pan Alley writers (the first song written for the film was “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes”) … Certainly a Cinderella moment for them as well. 

The list could go on and on I’m sure of Cinderella moments connected with Disney and all the endeavors of the studios and theme parks.  Disney’s driving force was his dream and his love of drawing.  I must admit that of all the Disney Princess movies, Cinderella is perhaps that rare breed of movie that … well … That I didn’t get into as much as the others.  I know … Blasphemy of all Disney-philes here is a movie that has withstood the test of time cinematically and musically, and this reviewer saying “eh it’s okay.”  But while not my favorite of the animated features, having “Cinderella Moments” in life has drawn me to this film. 

So what you may be asking is my Cinderella moment?  Well … Truthfully … There are many to count.  Early in my singing career taking a few awards I never thought I would (like an incentive award for the Met), the new position in my workplace that as the “new guy” I thought I’d never get, my career as a drag performer … Many things. 

Forgive me for a shortened blog this time around everyone.  I undertook Cinderella as a challenge knowing I would have a difficult time writing on it.  However, that’s part of undertaking anything right?  If Walt Disney’s life and work teaches us anything, it’s that dreaming and achieving even when there are obstacles is still possible.  Much like the success of Cinderella came at a time the studio was close to financial peril and help turn the fortune of the studio around. 

Cinderella: The rags to riches story of a girl with a pure heart that finds love with her prince with the help of a little magic from her Fairy Godmother.  Taking a timeless story and adding Disney magic, this film gives us the right blend of fantasy and humanity creating a perfectly balance feature. 

Perfect For:  The dreamer in your family, whether young or young at heart.

Most likely character you’ll see in the parks: One of the few films you have a chance to see several characters.  Most likely you’ll see Cinderella herself dressed in her ball gown finery, but often times in Disneyland the Tremaines, Drizilla, Anastasia and Lady Tremaine herself, looking for a husbands and even *shudders* singing. 

Well everyone I’m going to give this new posting scheduled a try for a bit.  We’ll see how it happens but … in the meantime, what’s your Cinderella moment?  

In honor of Mardi Gras, the film for March will be: The Princess and the Frog 

Make it a Magical Day – Pat A 

UPDATE: Post dates

Hello everyone in the blogosphere!! As you may have seen I'm a couple days late on my blog. But have no fear, I will be posting, however I will now post on the third weekend of the month ... So stay tuned and this weekend my review of Cinderella will be up!! And as always ... Make it a magical day!!

-Pat