The theater world can be an interesting place, one that has some of the strangest ideas of adaptations. And guess which one we can now add to the list? Oh yeah, Downton Abbey. (SOURCE)

The summer is just around the corner, which means the number one thing I've been looking forward to all year is just about to begin. And if you follow this site in any sort, you'll know that yes, it is indeed a Disney related topic. The thing I am discussing is the D23 Expo, a bi-annual convention that is run officially by The House of Mouse, and celebrates everything within it. From their animated classics, to their other accomplishments (aka Marvel and Lucas Film), D23 Expo has something for everyone. 

Many women wish that they could remain young forever. In fact, it is why the cosmetic industry continues to rank in millions, based on its promises of having "fountain of youth" like abilities. But deep down, we know it is all a fantasy, one that could never occur unless some magical spell fell into our laps. In the new film, The Age of Adaline, we are asked to believe in such wizardry, and enjoy a whimsical ride down a Vogue approved road.

20 years ago today, one of my favorite movies in the whole world was released. Though I don't remember the specifics, I'm pretty sure I saw it close to its opening weekend, and from that moment onward, it has made my life just that much better in every way possible.

A Goofy Movie is a strange film in the world of Disney. It takes liberties with one of the most beloved Fab Five characters, gives him an angst filled teenage son, and them throws them into a pretty grand, yet mature, road trip adventure. There's romance, Big Foot, even a Michael Jackson inspired pop star, all wrapped up in a glorious, 90's package.

In celebration of this anniversary, here are a few of my favorite little things from this gem of a movie:

The Disney company has a way with magic. It's something every child at some point in their life knows, especially when it comes to the classic Walt era of the Mouse House. But no piece speaks to the levels of his visual creativity and abilities more than the Oscar winning Mary Poppins. Though by far not my personal favorite Disney film, Poppins is a masterpiece in so many ways and will always be treasured as such.



But what exactly was the inspiration behind the famous flying nanny? Not too many people seem to know and always believe that she came from within Walt's own imagination. But in actuality, Mary was born from the mind of an Australian woman that many would come to know as P.L.Travers. She was a mysterious creature, much like Poppins, who came in and out of the public eye as quick as the wind. But what many know her for, beside her books of course, is the history between her and Walt. Saving Mr. Banks, the new film from Disney, gives cinematic life to these behind the scenes moments.

We begin in the past, with a familiar phrase from the original story, where we see a young girl and her father (played brilliantly by Collin Farrel) interact. We later learn this is Travers (who's real name was Ellen) during her not so "Perfectly Perfect" childhood. At the same time we meet a now middle aged Travers, who has been requested to meet Walt Disney for two weeks in California. This meeting would hopefully bring Mary Poppins to the big screen (a deal that had been a twenty year long struggle for Walt and company.)



The moments that occurred during those two weeks were some of the most interesting in Disney's history. With an unforgettable performance by Emma Thompson as Travers, you remember every single aspect of them, even down to what condition her perfectly permed hair was in. Thompson gives the kind of performance that people showcase in Oscar montages, make speeches about (like Meryl Streep did here), and quote for years to come. She's thrilling in every detail, and brings heart to a character that the public assumed had no soul outside of what came from her finger tips onto the page.


Walt is played by the always enchanting Tom Hanks, who though looks really nothing close to Mr. Disney, brings a similar sort of charming aura that can be instantly connected to his real life counterpart.  This goes very much along with those in the supporting roles, especially Paul Giamatti as Ralph (P.L's driver), who gives the oil to revive Thompson's inner Tin Man.



But what must be noted above all other aspects of this film are the elegant choices that make this a love letter to childhood nostalgia. From the recreation of the original Disney Studios title card, to the replication of the linoleum hallways of the Burbank office, this is pure Disney fanatic heaven. The moment that presents this effort at it's best comes when Richard Sherman (Jason Schwartzman) plays "Feed The Birds" in the rehearsal room. Many a knowledgeable "DVD extras watching" Mouseketeer can tell you that this was (by many accounts) Walt's favorite song, and the moment perfectly expresses this. 

Though as with any Hollywood film, the level of truthfulness can be lacking, especially when you know some of the "source material". By most accounts it's been said that Travers was not a fan of the final product put on screen of her beloved Mary. So when the final act of the film is shown, it can be hard to swallow these fantasy renderings of history, even with a spoonful of sugar. 




But when all is said and done, Saving Mr. Banks is a great movie. Though that is a generic term for a review, that's really the best way to describe it. These are the kind of cinema experiences an audience craves for: A great story that involves all your emotions, steers up your own personal connections, and leaves you feeling inspired in some degree, even to "Fly A Kite" perhaps.

One of the things I don't often talk about too much on my blog is my love for one singer: Michael Jackson. Yeah the man was the coolest back when I was a kid, and to this day is in my top 3 favorite vocalist of all time. He was enchanting, cute, and full of energy. Anything he did in the 80s/90s (bandaids on his fingers, the glove, the socks and black shoes) was godly and had to be copied.

Because I was around during the 90's era of MJ, I sadly missed a good chunk of his 80's glory, including his work for the Disney company: The 3D epic Captain EO. But luckily with the advent of VHS tapes (including one that my mom used to tape the one time they aired the 2D version on MTV) I got to see the retro classic even though it had disappeared from the Disney parks respectively.


After MJ's sudden death in 2009, Disney decided to pay tribute to the legend by bringing back Captain EO into the parks across the world. This finally gave me the chance to see the flick in it's full in theater effects glory for the first of several times during both my vacations to Disneyland and later in Epcot at Disney World.

But what exactly is Captain EO? It was a 3D film (involving such talents as George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola) that told the story of, well, Captain EO. He's a rainbow decked badass of a ship captain who leads his gang of bizarre creature/robot friends through the galaxy. His sidekicks included the infamous Hooter (a turquoise mini elephant), the two headed orange creature named Idey and Ody, the robot Major Domo, and the always precious Fuzzball.

On this particular mission, Captain EO and crew have to find the Supreme Leader (played by the stunning Anjelica Huston) and give her some sort of present, but what could it be? Turns out this lady is one mean witch, who needs the "gift" of song and dance to bring her back to her former day-glow glory.