Hair Apparent...

Lots and lots of money, I mean hair...







First off, I want to issue an apology to the Disney Marketing Department...

I was wrong. You did a great job bringing in the butts to see this film. That doesn't mean I like your campaign or wouldn't have preferred to see something different, but it clearly worked and I can't deny that.

Biggest opening in Walt Disney Animation Studios history:

69 million over the five day Thanksgiving Day weekend.

49 million opening weekend.

82,800,000 globally so far.

Looks like the Lamps big brother finally made good on the third try!

Congrats all around, Marketeers...

Tangled Reviews...

Let down your box office...



The 50th animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures is out today...

And so are the reviews. And they're mostly, extremely good. First off, I don't really do reviews anymore, but I did see "Tangled" last night. I can tell you that everything I found distasteful about the ads, and everything I've heard about the film are exactly as I expected. I loved it. In fact, it's the best thing that Walt Disney Animation Studios has done since Lasseter became its head.

While I enjoyed "Bolt" and "The Princess and the Frog" was a beautiful,but uneven showcase of hand-drawn film making, my favorite thing from the Hat Building has been "Prep & Landing." Having seen the latest film, that has now changed. Tangled is far closer to the glory of the Second Golden Age than what TP&TF attempted to reach, despite its aspirations. The tone and style of the film is far more like the classic films we've come to love than the DreamWorks influenced commercials would lead you to believe. While I wouldn't rate it as good as "Beauty and the Beast" it comes close to the other films of 90's. Don't believe me? Check out what others are say...



"The delightfully witty Tangled is the first animated cartoon released by Walt Disney Pictures that can stand alongside Pixar toons without apology."

- Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

"While it may lack some of the emotional depth of what remains Disney's finest modern animated feature, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the studios 50th film, TANGLED, is as good as or better than works like THE LITTLE MERMAID and ALADDIN"

- Capone, Ain't It Cool News

"The film manages to earn a real emotional payoff by the time it ends, and I was surprised by how well the film wraps things up. "Tangled" may not be the new best Disney film, but it is a reminder of just how good the company can be when they bring everything together, and I suspect it's going to be a monster holiday hit for families."

- Drew McWeeny, Motion Captured

"'Tangled" is the best animated film from Disney in the past 15 years."

- Tom Long, Detroit News

"With the caveat that I really dug Tangled, I'm not sure it should have succeeded as well as it does"

- Rob Vaux ,Mania.com

"Tangled could have been a disaster. Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard really pushed for something different by attempting to modernize a classic tale for contemporary audiences while combining the classic storylines and imagery of Disney’s illustrious past. All of that experimentation can unbalance a film by leaning too heavily on one side or the other, but Tangled does a remarkable job at harmonizing the past and present."

- Bill Graham, Collider

"For "Tangled," the studio's 50th feature-length cartoon, the team at Disney has taken a deep breath and tried to be all things to all animation- loving people. There are some hiccups along the way, but by the end there is success."

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

"The best non-Pixar Disney movie since 1994’s The Lion King, Tangled is an effortlessly captivating and frequently breathtaking throwback to the studio’s fairy-tale-inspired films of yesteryear."

- David Nusair, About.com

"Bright and engaging, and blessed with two superb non-verbal non-human sidekicks, "Tangled" certainly is more like it.

For much of the last decade the Disney corporation has struggled to regain its animation mojo, while one-time rival and current business partner Pixar — and, at its more sporadic best, DreamWorks — dominated the market. While no masterwork, "Tangled" reworks the Brothers Grimm tale of Rapunzel clearly and well. It's rollicking without being pushy. After the narrative chaos of last year's "The Princess and the Frog," it's a gratifying improvement."

- Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune


And over at Rotten Tomatoes it currently has a 89% fresh rating with about 70+ reviews in. Not bad, but don't judge it by what these critics or I said.

See it for yourself and come up with your own opinion...

A Tangled Soundtrack...

Walt Disney Records released the soundtrack to "Tangled" today...

It's hard to believe, but Walt Disney Animation Studios' 50th animated feature is just right around the corner. Those of you watching the World of Color show over in Disney California Adventure will soon notice the inclusion of this latest princess during the show.

Hopefully, she'll join the ranks of all the rest of the Mouse's royalty...

Tangled Poster/Twisted Marketing...

Disney Marketing department, what the hell are you thinking???







The latest poster for Walt Disney Pictures' "Tangled" is out...

Memo To The Mouse: This. Is. Not. A. DreamWorks. Film.

As I've said before, I don't care too much for the marketing that is being done for this film. It's deceptive, it's manipulative and it bares very little resemblance to the actual film they're trying to promote. Let me be clear, I've not seen the film yet, but I've talked to several who have. I've had e-mail discussions with others and I've talked to a couple Bothans that worked on it. I've also seen the reactions from those that have been to the screenings too. And everything I get from that is a world away from what the marketing department has delivered.

I think the "Boy Factor" and the "Princess Factor" have been blown way out of proportion in their decision to portray this film as hip, edgy and something that boys will clamor to go see. In fact, I think the marketing department should be fired. They've done a horrible job promoting this film. Then again, look at the marketing job they've done for "Tron Legacy" and see the difference. It's pretty good, hmmm? Perhaps they've just forgotten how to publicize a Disney animated film?

Because from all I've been able to gather, this film resembles a cross between "The Little Mermaid" and "Sleeping Beauty," not "Shrek" or "The Road to El Dorado." I've heard testimonials from people that said this is a truly great animated film: hauntingly beautiful and filled with moments that will make you laugh and cry. From the beginning to the end it is every bit as worthy of the Disney Animation moniker as those classic films from the 50's to the 80's. Take my advise and don't let the trailers or posters keep you from seeing this. See it for yourself and judge it for yourself.

Let's just hope the marketing department hasn't forgotten how to promote "Winnie the Pooh" come this time next year...

Tangled Vs. Tangled...

A second trailer has been released for Walt Disney Pictures' "Tangled" today...

It's far better than the first trailer, but still flawed in it's presentation. The film itself looks gorgeous, but the tone is far off from what you'll really see in the theater.

There's also a better trailer that was released internationally today. It shows a little bit more of the film and also shows a bit of the famous lantern scene that is supposed to look amazing. Judging by this clip, it is. My biggest complaint against this trailer, heck, all of the trailers for this film is the use of a rock song to try and make it feel hip. There is no rock song in this film, unless you stay through the credits and then you'll get the one that's tacked on. But the film and the music follow a more classical tone that these trailers would have you believe. All those that saw it at last week's press screening would agree.

November will soon be here...

A Tangled Web, Woven & Shown...

Let down yer hair, bitch!!!









Walt Disney Animation Studios did something unusual yesterday...

They showed a rough cut of "Tangled" to a gathering of press. John Lasseter was there to proudly present it and the film makers were there to talk about it. The film isn't finished yet. It's about 60 percent done. All of the animation is finished, but the lighting and shading as well as the musical score were noticeably missing. Quite a risk to show a film that has a couple months to go, don't you think? I mean, the press could tear it apart if it is bad. Even if it was mediocre there would be great danger for showing it so soon, letting bad press build up. That would be a long, painful two months wouldn't it?

So the Mouse believes they have something special. The press would be out with knives if this were a clunker, because this is WDAS's 50th animated feature. Imagine the headlines if that had sucked? Fiftieth fails. Half a century of films too late, or something like it. But everything I've heard is that they loved it. This isn't the film you've been shown in those horribly bad, rock song drowned trailers. From the Bothans I've talked to, it's closer to "Beauty & the Beast" or better yet, one of the classic tales of the late 40's/early 50's. Over at Deadline Hollywood, they're talking about it being a contender for Best Picture/Best Animated Picture. My good pal, George over at Latino Review loved it. And from the buzz I've heard, it appears that all those wishing/hoping/expecting Disney to fail are going to be sorely disappointed.

Still. they could have invited me to the screening. I was in Burbank yesterday. Ok, well, I was in the Valley so it wouldn't have taken long to have driven over there. I guess they still are kinda upset with me spilling the beans on a few things, hmmm?

It looks like it's going to be a beautiful November...

Rumanimations...

Walt Disney Pictures fiftieth animated feature is very close to getting approved and moving forward into story...

Animated fans will be glad to know that it's hand drawn. So unless the schedule gets changed and it's bumped or delayed we'll likely see Walt Disney Animation Studios big release after "Rapuzel" be a return to 2-D.

This won't a return to drawn animation exslusively, though. We know Lasseter is letting the directors determine the medium of their films so there are a couple CG ones in the pipeline, but it's good to know there is still room for pencils at the Hat Building! In 2011 animated fans will get to see another Disney masterpiece from what my Bothans are saying.

2011? There's that year again. It keeps popping up. I'm starting to wonder...