my picks for tonight’s 93rd Academy Awards (the Oscars for 2020’s films) (winners indicated)
I correctly guessed 11 out of the 24 23 categories, which is slightly better than last year.
Mulan
Mulan (2020) movie review: girl (and film) at war with the world
Acceptably inoffensive, if less than wholly engaging. At least Liu’s strong, stately Mulan is a wonderful role model for girls who aren’t much interested in conformity and adhering to expectations.
I pledge not to review any new movie available only in cinemas as long as COVID-19 remains a danger
This doesn’t mean I’ll stop writing film criticism! There are still plenty of movies, new and classic, that I can write about. But for the time being, I see no ethical way to cover films that will be available only in cinemas.
watch it: “Sexism, Strength and Dominance: Masculinity in Disney Films “
I think Sanjay Newton, the creator of this video analysis, misses the mark by quite a bit here. Beauty and the Beast’s Gaston, for instance, is clearly intended as a parody of the very stereotypical imagery of men that Newton says (correctly) is dangerous. Gaston is also the villain whom Belle is repeatedly shown to … more…
“The Ultimate Disney Experience” in New York not so ultimate
Someone says “ultimate Disney experience,” what springs to mind? Maybe a trip to Disney World including a stay in one of the luxury resort hotels there? That’s pretty ultimate. Maybe when there’s a Disney park in zero-g, that’ll be considered the ultimate. Thing is, I’m not sure that “The Ultimate Disney Experience” that Disney is … more…
Mulan (1998) and Hercules (1997) (review)
Damn! Mulan is thisclose to being not just a brilliant animated film, but a brilliant film, period. It has a dramatic story, a heroine who kicks butt, a villain who kicks butt, a square-jawed hero with a not-so-nice side, and some of the most sweepingly gorgeous visuals since Beauty and the Beast. But Mulan is dragged down by insipid songs that feel tacked on and silly, inappropriate sidekicks and secondary characters.
