Maybe it’s the division politics has created, maybe it’s the pandemic we’re currently experiencing, who knows, but the messages coming through in this Disney film make it one of the most compelling and the most potent that I’ve seen yet. With its characters looking like dolls sitting on your shelves, of which there’s no doubt every fan will soon have, the animation is breathtakingly gorgeous. You’ll revel in what this film says and does and in the fantasy world that it creates for you.
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âDumboâ is the latest live-action remake of the Disney films. This 1941 animated classic gets a new look and feel by the genius mind of Tim Burton. âDumboâ wasnât known as one of Disneyâs most influential films, therefore, anything Tim Burton could add to the story would improve it significantly, and he does just that. Included in this retelling is the magic that makes you feel as if youâre watching an old-style Tim Burton movie. Maybe because he realized how important a story about elephants would be. With the circus industry taking a big hit because of animal abuse, especially toward the elephant, he had to send a strong statement that he wasnât condoning harming animals. He does this several ways. He gives you characters that both charm and please you. With his âbadâ characters, he gives you cruelty but only in the realm of suggestions. Thereâs no genuine love for the circus whatsoever. This is clear from the beginning to the end. Especially the end, which youâll appreciate dearly. The animals are all CGI and he makes a point to let you know his story is a love letter to animals if nothing else⌠especially to the beloved pachyderm.
With every Tim Burton film comes a land of wonder and excitement to explore but what also appears is a note of hard reality and a ruthless villain to wake you from any trance-like state you could be in from his breathtaking visuals. âDumboâ has similar elements with an actual âDreamlandâ to try and seduce you. This is where it seems its most Burton like. The film is seen mostly through the lens of the children which is good and bad as it doesnât dig very deeply into the adult characters. To extend the length of the film, the original was only one hour and four minutes, Burton spun a yarn around a veteran and his children. Their mother has passed on, he was gone, and they were being raised on the road. They need to bond once again and become a family.
In the beginning, we meet Holt Farrier (Farrell) who was once a circus star and is now a war hero. After returning from war minus a limb, the owner of the circus he worked for, Max Medici (DeVito), rehires him to take care of the elephants. Holtâs two children are more than happy to help when the female elephant gives birth to a bright, blue-eyed bundle of⌠big ears?!? Max bought the mama knowing that a baby would bring people to see him but when he sees what he calls a freak, he wants âitâ and the mother gone… and his money back! Already struggling to make ends meet, he canât afford more loss! As he stomps around, visibly angry, the mama gets very upset and goes âmad.â He sells her, keeping her and her darling baby apart. The children see Dumbo breathe in a feather and sneeze wildly. When this happens, he flaps his ears and⌠and he flies! Good enough! When word of this gets out, an enthusiastic businessman named Vandevere (Keaton) talks Max into going into a partnership in his park called Dreamland; where they make the impossible, possible. He explains that the future of business isnât to have you packing up and traveling for the audience. If the audience wants to see what youâve got to offer, theyâll have to come to you. Keaton and DeVito. Batman and the Penguin. Together again. This will not get by the fans of the Burton directed, âBatman Returns.â Nor will the appearance of Dreamland compared to that of Disneyland where theyâre already selling Dumbo toys in the remarkably similar theme park.
Vandevereâs aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Green) sees that she and the little flying elephant can soar through the tent together and swoon the audiences below. Max closes his circus and joins Vandevereâs Dreamland, managing to keep his entire troupe together in the process. While traveling through Dreamland, youâll see a somewhat spooky message about the 20th Century and about automation âhelpingâ humans. Watching the scene, I couldnât help but think how spot on he is. It has helped. But are we the better for it? Is Max better for getting into business with a snake? Time will tell.Â
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If youâre wondering why you should see this version of âDumbo,â Tim Burton is reason enough to attend, but he also brought along the magnificent Danny Elfman to score the film. Elfmanâs arrangement for the âPink Elephants on Paradeâ is simply sublime. Itâs quite distinctive from the original and the visuals are more low-key which I think may have been done so you could simply sit back and experience what Elfman offers your ears. The film is touching, itâs sweet and magical. This is imaginative but now that theyâve opened it up, Iâd like to see Disney attack the subject of what elephants are facing today with one of their Disney Nature films. The truth of it needs to be treated with utmost urgency.Â
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âMary Poppins Returnsâ is a marvelous, mystical, magical musical that revolves around the same siblings, Michael (Whishaw) and Jane Banks (Mortimer), from the story within the original Mary Poppins. There are three children in this rendition. The youngsters are, Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and little Georgie (Joel Dawson). Their father is Michael whoâs now widowed. Not long after we meet him, Michael, missing his wife Kate terribly, sings a song called âA Conversation.â In the song he asks Kate where she is. Itâs depressing but quite moving. The lyrics at the end of it are, âBut still, one question fills my day dear. The answer I’ve most longed to know. Each moment since you went away, dear. My question, Kate, is⌠Where’d You go?â Heavy lyrics for a âfamily movie.âÂ
 This moment in the film is very different from the opening number that has Lin-Manuel Mirandaâs, Jack the Lamplighter, singing and dancing while extinguishing the street lamps in, â(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky.â Youâll be impressed with both numbers and already fully invested in this film. The score is gorgeous. The songs are passionate, and youâll be ecstatic you made the choice to see this at the theatre rather than waiting. Trust me on that. And not only will you love it but itâs for everyone of all ages so bring the whole gang!
Something youâll likely appreciate most is that some of the animation goes back to old-style Disney. Itâs nostalgic, for certain, but its color is vibrant and brings about a feeling of happiness as you watch. Itâll also force smiles on every face in the audience. Color, cheer, happiness and smiles. Not a bad night out. This perfect recipe is a rare find in movies these days.
Set in Depression-era London, or the Great Slump of the 1930’s, Michael and the kids still live in the home that he and his activist sister, Jane, grew up in. Only now, he’s without his wife Kate who used to take care of the finances. Unfortunately, heâs having some money trouble of late, a lot of money trouble, and is about to lose their cherished home on Cherry Tree Lane. In fact, he has until midnight to pay a loan to the evil banker, William Weatherall Wilkins (Firth), that he took out against the house or theyâre out in the streets. Seems thereâs always an evil banker somewhere, doesnât it? This one is particularly cruel and not so innocent. Think Potter from, âItâs a Wonderful Life.â
Enter the somewhat self-centered, Mary Poppins. Well, why not be at least moderately egotistical? After all, you can float down on an umbrella and change the lives of everyone you come into contact with. I think that deserves a little puffing of the chest. Yes. From up above, Mary Poppins, attached to the childrenâs kite, descends upon them once again. Jane and Michael admit to thinking she wasnât ever real. Grown-ups, am I right? After an outstanding bathtub scene, a bowl is broken in the kidsâ room. When this happens, the children are whisked away onto the bowl and begin to see fully what and who Mary Poppins is. There is a rather dark part here full of warnings and strong messages as they try to fix the bowl. The graphics during all of this is eye-popping, to say the least. Theyâre now in a fascinating world, being taught lesson after lesson. One of those lessons is to beware of what you only think you know… to never judge a book by its cover. This comes by way of the song âA Cover is Not the Book,â which has some amusing lines. Here’s a peek. âA cover is not the book. So, open it up and take a look. âCos under the covers one discovers. That the king may be a crook. Chapter titles are like signs and if you read between the lines. You’ll find your first impression was mistook. For a cover is nice but a cover is not the book!â Each song of the soundtrack is easy to learn, and youâll be singing along in the theatre before you know it!
I could go on forever, but I may as well just review by saying this⌠GO SEE THIS ASAP! The costumes, animation and the sets are unbelievable. Sensational! And certainly, you donât want to miss seeing Dick Van Dyke singing and dancing again. Then there’s Julie Walters and Angela Lansbury in the cast. One of my favorite parts is Meryl Streep singing âTurning Turtle.â Itâs unbelievably good! This scene is delightful and quite peppy!
Look, whatever you do, donât worry that you wonât like it. No one is going to forget Julie Andrews, and no one involved in making this film wants them to forget her or her performance. Most of all, Emily Blunt. This is simply her take on this beloved character. After you see her performance, I think youâll agree she was the perfect choice to play the role. That said, her Mary Poppins is a bit stricter than the character was in the original. She doesnât put up with any shenanigans. No âSpoonful of Sugarâ for the kiddies here which more resembles the P.L. Traversâ books.
This beautiful, glorious and extremely charming movie is entrancing, especially during certain musical numbers. Iâll leave you with this. I beg you to see âMary Poppins Returnsâ on the big screen. If you do, you’ll be fully aware that youâre watching another classic as it was meant to be seen. So, listen to Shari and go see it today. Then go see it again⌠and again⌠and again. The ‘Balloon Lady’ insists.
Disneyâ˘Pixarâs âCocoâ âthe story of a 12-year-old aspiring musicianâs extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestorsâwon a 2018 Golden Globe Awardď for Best Animated Motion Picture, topped the domestic box office Thanksgiving holiday weekend, became the highest grossing film of all time in Mexico, broke records in China and earned widespread praise, receiving 96 percent from critics and 97 percent from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Now this vibrant tale filled with love and laughter arrives home Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD⢠and on Movies Anywhere on Feb. 13, and on 4K Ultra HD,⢠Blu-ray,⢠DVD and On-Demand on Feb. 27.
Through fresh and fascinating bonus material, adventurers of all ages will tag along with filmmakers as they soak in DĂa de los Muertos in Mexico; explore the essential role of music in âCoco;â and learn how the cast and crew personally connect with the filmâs message. Theyâll step behind the scenes to discover the inspiration behind the filmâs creative costuming; Miguelâs beautifully complicated family; Dante the loyal Xolo dog; and the stunning worlds of both the dead and the living. Features also include deleted scenes, insightful filmmaker commentary, the music of Coco and more.
âCocoâ is packaged several ways to ensure viewers get the most out of their in-home viewing experience. The Multi-Screen Edition (formerly the Blu-ray Combo Pack) includes Blu-ray, DVD and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for Digital 4K Ultra HD or the 4K UHD Combo Pack, which includes 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a Digital copy. 4K Ultra HD provides four times the resolution of HD, bringing the rich color, textures and sounds to life and immersing viewers in two fantastically animated worlds. Dolby Atmos audio heightens the memorable score created by OscarÂŽ-winning composer Michael Giacchino and his 83-piece orchestra, as well as original songs like âRemember Meâ by the OscarÂŽ-winning team behind âFrozen,â Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.BONUS FEATURES*
Blu-ray & Digital:
o         DiĚa de los Muertos â In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of DiĚa de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz.
o         The Way of the Riveras â A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their DiĚa de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
o         Celebrity Tour â HeĚctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
o         The Bus Escape â The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and HeĚctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
o         Alebrije Attack â Miguel and HeĚctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
o         The Family Fix â After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
o         To the Bridge â As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of DiĚa de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
*Here is the link to our interview with the star of the film, Anthony Gonzalaz!Â
My second interview of the year was with young actor and singer, Anthony Gonzalez, who was touring for the film he starred in which releases this month on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. Anthony brought the wonderful character Miguel to life in the Disneyâ˘Pixar film, âCocoâ which is Pixar Animation Studiosâ 19th feature film. In the movie, Miguel dreams of becoming a polished musician and for such a young man heâs, much like Anthony himself, well on the way. Not only can Anthony act with the best of them but he has been singing almost his entire life, a talent he picked up from watching his older siblings. Itâs appropriate to proclaim he has a beautiful singing voice and heâll go far with it. Heâs also passing the tradition of performing on to his younger brother. Read on to learn more about this sweet person, Anthony Gonzalez, so you can prepare for when you hear much more about him.
Q: Tell me about âCocoâ
AG: âCocoâ is about a boy named Miguel who loves music, thatâs his passion, but he has to keep his passion for music a secret because his family has banned it because what has happened with his family in past generations. He kinda struggles with that because he doesnât have the support from his family. Because of that, he goes on a magical journey through the Land of the Dead and where he gets to meet his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Yeah, I really loved doing the movie and the two things I love to do and have been doing since I was four years old! I have never sang and acted in the same project so that was amazing, especially all the amazing songs that âCocoâ has!
Q: What was your favorite part of the film?
AG: I have a lot of favorite parts but one of them is when Miguel is getting ready to sing Poco Loco. I also love a lot of the scenes where Miguel is interacting with Mama Coco because I feel like thatâs so sweet.
Q: Okay, now what was your favorite song from the movie?
AG: I really love Proud CorazĂłn a lot because I love the message that it gives. It talks about the family and I love the melody, itâs so catchy. Thatâs the one I sing the most. I, obviously, love Poco Loco because that one is just so much fun! Remember Me or Poco Loco was the first ones I recorded and that was so much fun.
Remember Me…Â I love the song so much because of the message. When I was singing it, I got the emotion because I really connected a lot with Miguel singing this to Mama Coco and it really reminded me of my grandfather who passed away when I was six. He was very special for me because he was always there for me and he would support me. He inspired me. When my mom would take my brother to singing competitions, he would tell my mom, âTake Anthony, too, because he loves to sing and heâs good at it!â So, I definitely thank him. It was really emotional for me to get to sing, Remember Me. It was a way for me to connect with my grandfather again and be with him again. It was an amazing experience to get to record it.
I also love The World Es Mi Familia because the message⌠the world is my family, music is my language⌠it really shows the love Miguel has for music.
Q: I was wondering what it was like being in the sound booth for you. Was it hard to do that and were you finding yourself really getting into it?
AG: At first, I was like a bit nervous because when I was ten I went to Pixar. It was my first time there and they were telling me about the movie and that was the first time I really knew it was a Disneyâ˘Pixar movie so I was, like, âWow!â I was a bit nervous the first time but then after I started to go a lot more often, I kinda got used to it. I love this movie a lot because, umm⌠I really identified myself with Miguel a lot because we both have a passion for music and we both know the importance of family and, yeah, it was so much fun doing the role of Miguel; especially alongside the amazing director Lee Unkrich. And the amazing producer Darla K. Anderson and co-director Adrian Molina were just an incredible help when I was recording.
Q: Generally, you work with other people when acting but whatâs it like to work on building up that enthusiasm when youâre alone in the sound booth?
AG: At first, I was like a bit nervous because when I was ten I went to Pixar. It was my first time there and they were telling me about the movie and that was the first time I really knew it was a Disneyâ˘Pixar movie so I was, like, âWow!â I was a bit nervous the first time but then after I started to go a lot more often, I kinda got used to it. I love this movie a lot because, umm⌠I really identified myself with Miguel a lot because we both have a passion for music and we both know the importance of family and, yeah, it was so much fun doing the role of Miguel; especially alongside the amazing director Lee Unkrich. And the amazing producer Darla K. Anderson and co-director Adrian Molina were just an incredible help when I was recording.
Q: Thatâs obvious to me now. So, you won the Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature.
AG:Â Yes. That was amazing!
He uses the word amazing a lot, which so fits his personality. He also smiles a lot with a massive grin that brightens any room and is very animated as he speaks. He seems to constantly be in motion, unable to contain the energy coursing through him.
Q: What did that mean to you to win an award?
AG: That was just incredible because when they told me, âYouâre nominated for an Annie Award,â I was like, âOhâŚuhâŚcool. I donât know what that is.â But then the director told me it was like the Oscars but in animation. I was like, âWow!’ Thatâs a big deal for animation! And I was just so happy I was nominated. But something a director told me was, âNever expect anything.â Because then, like, letâs say youâre so happy like, Iâm gonna get the award but then you donât⌠and you feel so bad. But like, if you donât expect anything, itâs not as difficult.
Q: But you won. What was it like getting it?
AG: Yeah, so, when I went there, I was so nervous because I saw the other voice actors that were nominated. So many famous people were there, too, like I got to see Angelina Jolie and Kobe Bryant was there, which was amazing. I got to meet them both which was so much fun. They were so good, I couldnât believe it. When I got the award, I was just in shock because this will be, like, marked in history! I was just so happy that a lot of people appreciated the hard work that people put in the film, the heart they put in the film… all the work they put to make it. Just âCocoâ in general, all the awards they were nominated for! They even broke a world record! It just made me feel so happy to see that a lot of people were appreciating the movie. It made me feel so good about myself that I even got an award which was amazing and alongside so many people that were experts in animation, like, so many people that were there that have been doing this for so many years.
Q: Well, what was your first acting job?
AG:Â My first acting job? Iâve never had that question before!
How is it possible he has never been asked this question?! Oh, yeah⌠heâs thirteen! Anthony giggles for being asked the question, something he does throughout the entire interview. Heâs quite amusing to watch. I canât wait to see the films he does in the future and how he turns his flair for the dramatic and his strengths and gifts into Oscar gold someday. Back to the interviewâŚ
AG: Well, I remember my first acting job. I was very young. It was for an Oscar Meyer commercial. About two or three years ago, I filmed another Oscar Meyer commercial and whatâs funny about that is that in the commercial, I was with Renee Victor, which plays Abuelita in the movie (Coco) and that was amazing because we didnât even know her, and we were going to be in the same movie!
Q: What did you have to do to get the part in this film?
AG: So, I auditioned when I was nine years old and what I had to do to get the part? I really had to put a lot of emotion in the voice and I really pretended that I was in the situation, like, if my family didnât support me⌠if I was going through this journey⌠if I was in Miguelâs shoes. That was something that really helped me. So, I just said it like if it was me⌠like, it was something I would say. It turned out great.
Q: I bet it was a lot of fun.
AG:Â It was just so much fun getting to explore a different universe and getting to explore different things I didnât think Iâd get to experience.
Q: I heard you got to sing in your audition.
AG: Yes! Whatâs also cool, and I read this in a magazine I think, it said I was auditioning just for a temporary voice and I was like, âWait! I didnât know that!â (Laughs) I was like, âWoah! Really?!â They told me, later on, that Miguel was just gonna sing Remember Me but because they saw that I was able to sing, they actually added Poco Loco, The World Es Mi Familia, Proud CorazĂłn. That⌠that was just, like, amazing! I couldnât believe that.
Since my first audition, when I went to Pixar, (I knew it was about music) I was like, âWait, can I sing for you guys?!â (Laughs, smiles) And so, I did sing. I sang a song in Spanish and they loved it so much and I was so happy to show them what Iâve been doing since I was four years old. I never knew that singing would come in handy for a role! (Laughs)
Q: I loved the emphasis on family in the movie. Would you say there was a representation that you identified with, like, in terms of your own family and upbringing?Â
AG: Yeah, yeah! I knew coming into this film that familyâs important cuz like, I wouldnât be here if it werenât for my family. I started singing because of my brothers. They started singing and inspired me to sing. They grew up doing street performance and dancing in (inaudible) a very Mexican place. Thereâs a lot of restaurants there and music; thatâs all you hear⌠itâs just amazing. My two sisters would dance and sing and my brothers would dance and sing. I would just look up to them and I would, like, see that a lot of people would enjoy their performances and would have a smile on their face and they would clap, then I see my brothers would feel happy. Well, because of them, I started singing. Thatâs why I feel that family is important. It also shows that message in âCocoâ which I really resonated with a lot. And also, I wouldnât be here if it wasnât for my parents, for the support they give me and for always being there every step of the way.
Unfortunately, Miguel doesnât have that in the movie because his family has banned music for their whole life. Miguel could have shined shoes for the rest of his life but he decided to follow his heart and follow his passion and, umm, be a musician which is what he loved to do. And thatâs one of the things that I⌠I really look up to Miguel because he can serve as a role model and a leader to many of the kids who have a passion and many other kids who want to sing and want to play the guitar, so I feel that heâs a leader. Iâm happy to do the voice of Miguel.
Q: Is seeing your heritage in films like âCocoâ important to you?
AG: This movie was amazing because it was very unique to all the other Disneyâ˘Pixar movies. Obviously, they make you laugh, they make you cry but this one also touches on the Mexican tradition and this was very unique.  It touches on the wonderful celebration of the Day of the Dead. A lot of people didnât even know the celebration even existed, or they thought it was just like Halloween but itâs actually totally different. Itâs about remembering your ancestors and connecting with them again and to know theyâre not gone. Theyâre still here with you, their spirits are still with you, and thatâs one of the things I love most about the movie! It taught other people about the culture so, yeah⌠representation is important because a lot of people learned many things along the way.  It also touches on the importance of family and follow your dreams but besides that, thereâs (sic) not many movies that show the celebration of the Day of the Dead. For Disneyâ˘Pixar to do a movie about it and represent many Latinos is just amazing and I feel so proud to be a part of that representation and to be doing the voice of Miguel.
Q: Youâre from a big family, correct?
AG: Weâre five. My little brother is nine, Iâm thirteen and my older brother, who inspired me, is fifteen⌠and my two older sisters, who go to university now. Weâve all been into singing, weâve all been into music. We all sing and we all act. See, my little brother just copied me every day. Every time he wins an audition heâs like, âIâm catching up to you!â He takes it like a challenge and thatâs what makes it fun. Thatâs why he loves doing it. In fact, Iâm always there to help him in any audition. To support him and, yeah, itâs kind of like a competition but itâs also fun and we help each other out. Thatâs the good part of having people there that do the same thing to be there for you and help you⌠so thatâs cool.
Q:Â What’s your best advice for young people who want to get into film?
AG: To just do what you love! If youâre having fun doing it, then do it. I really love singing and acting so Iâm doing it! Thankfully, I have the support from my parents and my siblings so itâs easy for me to do it. And, just follow your heart, do what you love and never give up! Be really resilient⌠donât do something you donât love. You only live once! Miguel could have just done shoes, shined shoes for the rest of his life, but he decided to follow his heart and thatâs good advice for other people⌠to just follow their heart. Do what you love and thereâs always a happy ending!Â
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He smiles when weâre done. This is a signal not only of how happy he was to have been the part of such an outstanding film but of the fun he had while being interviewed. Being interviewed is something heâll master soon as it is this interviewerâs opinion that Anthony Gonzalez will be spoken to a lot through his many successful years in show business that is to come. It was a true pleasure getting to know this young actor and be in the presence of such a phenomenal talent and bountiful spirit of intensity. Before long, heâll get his sea legs and navigate his way through promotional tours with ease and I hope he never loses sight of the fact that the reason doing these events is not just for promoting a film, a DVD or himself but for his fans, soon to be in the millions, to get to know him better. I hope this Q&A helps you do just that but hereâs some info on the home release of the film.
Movie Synopsis:Â Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isnât through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racingâs biggest stage! Read more
