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Short Film’s Latest (& Mostly) Silent Era
“…on this day in 2006, the company that brought the world the blockbuster hits Toy Story (1995), A Bug’s Life (1998), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003) and The Incredibles (2004) was sold to the Walt Disney Company, their longtime distributor, for a staggering $7.4 billion.”
–Walt Disney announces $7.4 billion purchase of Pixar, History.com
Pixar is an ever-evolving, multi-generational animation game-changer for both in short & feature films. This animation studio, part of Walt Disney, has produced some of the greatest animated movies of all-time. Not all, of course. Let’s not be hyperbolic with no memory of the illustrious past in this industry. However, Pixar’s uniquely subtle style for five to six-minute shorts is something to marvel at with a great deal of satisfaction and happiness.
Bet you didn’t expect that director commentary in the middle of an analysis of Pixar’s animated storytelling techniques. It changes the way you view the whole video, right?
Just call it the eternal magic of movies, real and imagined.
Serend1p1ty
Having finally watched 2013s, Saving Mr. Banks, which is the story of how the literary favorite “Mary Poppins” finally made its way to the silver screen in 1964 with the entertainingly fascinating steel cage struggle between author P.L. Travers and Walt Disney and his team of upbeat music-writing gurus, one can easily become inspired by Walt’s magical kingdom. Revealed in this cinematic journey is the incredible (and surprisingly unknown) back story of how one of the most popular and highly-regarded Disney films of all-time came to be.
But fear not, no spoilers here. The mention of this movie simply serves as the springboard to reminiscing about a beautiful short-film animation that plays before the 2012 animated feature film Wreck-It Ralph, courtesy of the Disney genius we’ve all come to love.
Just embrace the randomness (though the connection makes sense if you think about it).
Despite living in the midst of the digital era, it’s a pleasure to re-introduce Disney’s, Paperman:
Here’s to hoping for a little magic and wishful thinking today.
It is 11/11 after all…
Fun, USA
It’s summer, which means one thing: when are we going to Disney World and Universal Studios!?
My childhood experiences of flying down to Orlando, Florida for a family vacation or national sports competitions are memories I will cherish forever. Disney World and Universal Studios are truly magical places. From Mickey Mouse to Goofy to Cinderella and her iconic castle to “The Haunted Mansion” to “Space Mountain” to “ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter” to “Jurassic Park” to “The Incredible Hulk” (thank Mom) to “The Terminator” to “Jaws” to “Twister” to “ET” to “King King” to “It’s a Small World” to “Nickelodeon” to “Splash Mountain” to “Big Thunder Mountain” to “Peter Pan” to “Harry Potter” to “Back to the Future” to countless other rides and characteristics, theme parks in and around Orlando, Florida are unequivocally some of the best attractions in the world.
The atmospheres are unparalleled and are overwhelmingly amazing whether walking, running, eating, shopping, standing and sleeping. Simply the best.
Imaginations are deliberately intended to run wild and the smiles on the faces of the children and the adults prove the magic is captured inside everyone. As Martha Stewart would say, “It’s a good thing!”
Yes, it’s hot and the lines are long. However, it’s all part of the unforgettable experience and the notion that we’re all enjoying this together with our family, friends and joyous people from all across the country and the world.
While my schedule and monetary resources have restricted my chances of going to these amazing theme parks this summer, I do hope to make a glorious return soon.
I just love the omnipresent inspiration for a kid to be a kid and for adults to once again act like kids.
Visiting these theme parks like Disney World/Disney Land and Universal Studios (plus Islands of Adventure) provides us all with one of those rare moments in life when parents and children see the pure wonderment of the world through the same lens.
It’s okay to get older, just as long as you stay young at heart.
In certain circumstances though, it may require a $20 wager.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 