First Look At A Dark Fairy...

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But is she a good, dark fairy, or a bad one...










Walt Disney Pictures, or as marketing calls it, Disney Pictures has something for you...

Your first look at Angelina Jolie as Maleficent has been released by the Mouse. And she looks like a very enchanted dark fairy. Still, I pictured her, more uhm, greenish? I am looking forward to seeing the sets and design of this world, particularly her castle. Will the film be good, stunning, a classic even?

We'll have to wait till 2014 to find out...

The Dark Fairy Flies...

She's a beauty...









So the "Sleeping Beauty" reinterpretation goes forward...

"Maleficent" starring Angelina Jolie will be before cameras as Maleficent in June in London.

Robert Stromberg (the production designer on Avatar, Alice in Wonderland) makes his directorial debut bringing the dark fairy to life in this revisionist tale of "Sleeping Beauty".

Linda Woolverton, who did the script for "Alice in Wonderland" (Not a sign of confidence with that) scripted the tale and the pivotal roll of Aurora is being rumored to be going to Elle Fanning.

I'll be interested in seeing what this film turns out to look like. Will it be great, horrible, or something in between?

Time will tell...

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...

The Other Side Of Sleeping Beauty...

Yes, please!


I suppose you've seen the rumors on the web about another possible Disney reinterpretation from Tim Burton...

I actually wrote a post that I never published on Aurora's Nemesis last year. I didn't get around to finishing it, so maybe I'll go back and find it sometime this year. But about that rumor, the one about Tim doing to "Sleeping Beauty" what he's done to "Alice in Wonderland." This time told from Maleficent's point of view. That would be a cool project to me. It certainly explains why the Mouse registered that "maleficentmovie.com" domain name last year.

But we have to remember that Burton is a very busy man and unless a hole frees up in his schedule then, even if it's true you won't be seeing this for four or five more years. He has that stop-motion animation project for Disney that is in pre-production right now and then there is "Dark Shadows" which is supposed to start filming later this year. Now, that movie has had many delays and it appears they're having script problems. That right there would be your opening, but that presumes that they already have a script for this twisted take on Sleeping Beauty. And then you have to ask, what part will Johnny Depp play? Prince Phillip? That said, the prospect of seeing the Dark Fairy turn into that purple dragon in live action sounds like an amazing night at the movies.

Now all they have to do is write it...

Sleeping Beauty Awakens...

Today Walt Disney's classic, "Sleeping Beauty" becomes available on DVD and Blu-Ray. When it came out at the time, it was a very expensive and ambitious project, yet it failed to make a profit for decades. It's a film that had Walt wondering if he was going to be able to keep making animated films...

The cost had just gotten so high and he was making a great deal of money just churning out cheaper live-action fare. Although the story isn't the best Disney produced, the production values are spectacular here. Of particular note is the backgrounds which are arguably the best of any animated film, Disney or otherwise. Add to that, the most iconic and greatest Disney villain ever created, Maleficent, and you've got one heck of a reason to grab a snack, a drink, settle down in a comfy chair and pop this little gem in your player.

Go out and get a copy today. And may I suggest you get the Blu-Ray even if you don't own it. Why? Because it comes with a copy of the DVD as well, so you'll have a copy to watch now, and in the near future when you buy a new Blu-Ray player you won't have to repurchase another copy just to experience the stunning beauty of Sleeping Beauty in hi-def...

A Beautiful "Walkthrough" History...

I know many of you saw the news the other day...

When the Walt Disney Company announced that they were going to be bringing back an old classic attraction to go with an old classic movie.

This fall the "Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough" will return to the castle at Disneyland...

The original was open from 1959 to 1978, followed by an updated version that closed in 2002. It was great having the experience at the castle. I've always hated it being just a giant structure with a couple shops in it. Having the walkthrough was a way to make it an attraction and have it actually have some connection to the film. This is one case where the marketers and the Imagineers working together have come up with something very nice indeed. It also helps that Lasseter has been a great encourager on this project. He knows the value this is to the Disney company and its many fans...

Over at the Laughing Place website they've got some great shots of the presentation that was held during the NFFC 2008 convention at Disneyland's Opera House. What's best of all is that the article has several videos with interviews from Imagineers Tony Baxter, Chris Merritt and John Gritz. Great stuff. It's also funny to watch because in this element, these guys are rock stars... and it shows.

Check it out.

A Beautiful Night...

Those of you lucky enough to be in the Los Angeles area on July 18th are in for a treat...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is having one of their Gold Standard Screening Series. That Friday at 7:30 pm in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills a digitally restored print of Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" will be shown. The event will be hosted by Leonard Maltin and after the showing there will be a discussion with animator Andreas Deja, preservationist Theo Gluck, Disney sound department chief Terry Porter and Dave Bossert, creative director of special projects. The event is open to the public and tickets are only five dollars...

I'll be there... Will you?

She's A Beauty...

On this date, forty-nine years ago...

Walt Disney premiered his 16th animated feature: "Sleeping Beauty"...

Although her castle premiered at Disneyland four years earlier, it doesn't help make the film a success. It will take over two decade before the film will finally show a profit. Many today consider it a classic, but back then it wasn't the case. Disney even confided in friends and colleagues he didn't know if he could keep making these films. It was getting so expensive.

The passage of time has made us realize the value and beauty(pun intended) of this film. While it's not the best in terms of story... Disney was far more interested in the running of his new theme park and was focusing less on the animated films. Hence the weaker story. The animation is some of the best Walt Disney Productions has ever created and its legendary backgrounds are amazing. The film did create arguably, Disney's best villain: Malificent.

Sleeping Beauty is scheduled for release on Platinum DVD and Blu-Ray in fall 2008.