Week 9: Lady and the Tramp (1955)

This is one of my favourite Disney movies. Every single time I see a Siamese cat, I start to hum, “We are Siamese if you please.” My favourite scene in the entire movie is the spaghetti eating scene – I mean, seriously.

Plot Summary: The romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt. (www.imdb.com)

Fun Fact: After ”We are Siamese”, when Lady is chasing the two cats, the cats knock down bluish coloured curtains which tangle up Lady. After Aunt Sarah comes into the room, Lady is tangled up in red curtains. (www.imdb.com)

Favourite Character: Trusty

Favourite Song:

We are Siamese (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92PDgLHAFCw)

Bella Notte (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zyQ1x9Jxoc)

Quotable Quotes:

Have you noticed that since we got Lady, we’ve seen less and less of those disturbing headlines?

Don’t recollect if I’ve ever mentioned Ol’ Reliable before…

Remember they’re only humans.

Everybody knows that dog’s best friend is humans.

Where we find baby, there be milk nearby.

I s’pose you be tellin’ me next, it was the dog that be whistlin’, eh?

Pardon me, amigo – but what is this killy heel?

Final Thoughts:

If you haven’t seen this classic Disney movie yet, do it today! You won’t be disappointed. In fact, I almost guarantee you’ll fall in love with it AND want to go out and buy a cocker spaniel.

5 Mickeys out of 5:

Next Week’s Movie: Next week I share my Top Ten with you. What’s on your top ten list of Disney movies?

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Week 8: Princess and the Frog (2009)

This was the first time watching this particular Disney movie. I looked at the DVD case, which said, “The Best Disney Movie Since The Lion King”. I couldn’t believe that this would be true. Now, while I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, I did absolutely love this movie. It’s so fun and the New Orleans accents cracked me right up. Hey, it might even crack my top ten. Speaking of which – that will be the focus of my tenth post. So tell me in the comments what your favourite Disney movie(s) is/are and why!

Plot Summary: A fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young woman named Tiana and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again. (www.imdb.com)

Fun Fact: The Prince of Maldonia is called Naveen. Naveen is an Indian name (meaning “new”), which suggests that Maldonia is a Eurasian country (the name of Maldonia is a mix between Malta and Macedonia). During the “Down in New Orleans” montage, the newspaper mentions in print that Maldonia cannot be found on the map; i.e. it is made up for the movie. (www.imdb.com)

Favourite Character: Ray

Favourite Song:

Almost There (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woP1GRsvfjg)

Belle Evangeline (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFqLmIP6RA4)

Quotable Quotes:

No way in this whole world I would ever, ever, I mean never! Kiss a frog!

I’ve been looking for you everywhere. What a coincidence! I’ve been avoiding you everywhere.

I swear I’m sweatin’ like a sinner in church!

I was beginning to think wishin’ on stars was just for babies and crazy people.

No, no, no! There is no way I’m kissin’ a frog and eatin’ a bug on the same day!

I think I just chipped my favourite tooth.

Your breath darn near killed me to death.

Don’t make me light my butt!

My daddy never did get what he wanted, but he had what he needed.

My dream wouldn’t be true without you in it.

Final Thoughts:

This is truly a story where you find that appearances just don’t matter. Eventually, they just give up on ever becoming human again and just become okay with the idea of being frogs as long as they can be together. It’s when they just give up and give in that their dream finally comes true. It’s a sweet romantic story and I loved it.

 5 Mickeys out of 5:

 Next Week’s Movie: Lady and the Tramp

Week 7: Mulan (1998)

Mulan has always been a special Disney movie to me. In 1997, my younger brother was granted his wish by The Children’s Wish Foundation and we traveled as a family to Disney World. During one of our tours there, we toured the animation studios. The movie they were working on at the time was Mulan and I was able to see how the drawings of Mushu would be put together to make him move. I loved it and was fascinated by it – it was so difficult waiting over a year before the movie came out in theaters! Put this personal connection together with my fascination with Asia and Asian history and Mulan is way up there on my list of favourite Disney movies.

Plot Summary: To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China’s greatest heroines in the process. (www.imdb.com)

Fun Fact: This was the first full length movie animated only at the Florida animation studio. (www.imdb.com)

Favourite Character: Mulan. Mushu is one of my very favourite animal sidekicks, too.

Favourite Song: Reflection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A_Rl8aQxII)

Make a Man Out of You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64)

Quotable Quotes:

A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat.

I’m doomed! And all ‘cause Miss Man decided to take her drag show on the road!

Dishonour on your whole family! Dishonour on you! Dishonour on your cow!

Oh! I think my bunny slippers just ran for cover.

There’s a couple things I KNOW they’re bound to notice!

I knew we could do it. You the man! Well, sorta.

We started this thing together and that’s how we’ll finish it. Promise.

Let’s go kick some Hunny buns!

No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.

You don’t meet a girl like that every dynasty.

The greatest gift and honour is having you for a daughter.

Final Thoughts:

Your destiny might not be what you or your family expect it to be. Maybe you’re meant for something completely unique and different. Each of us has our difference to make.

5 Mickeys out of 5:

Next Week’s Movie: The Princess and the Frog

Week 6: Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)

*Spoiler Alert!* Who knew John Smith would somehow turn out to be a pompous jerk? Who knew Pocahontas wouldn’t end up with him??? I loved their love story in the first movie…so sweet and romantic. In this movie, I was glad he got his own ship and took off and that she ended up with someone else. The short moment that John Smith and Pocahontas get back together in this movie made me a bit upset because I’d already fallen in love with John Rolf and written Smith off as dead.

 Plot Summary: Pocahontas sets off on a journey to England with Meeko, Flit, and Percy. Hearing rumors of John Smith’s death, Pocahontas tries to prevent war and battle. (www.imdb.com)

 Fun Fact: Most of the bear sounds are real, but one loud sound during the “bear baiting” sequence was actually an elephant. (www.imdb.com)

 Favourite Character: Pocahontas. Also, a huge fan of her bodyguard.

 Favourite Song:

Where Do I Go From Here? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfTieVPjN7E)

Between Two Worlds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFtdhuyAdpk)

 Quotable Quotes:

Treason?!? You must be looking for Radcliffe!

“I beg your pardon.” “Well, you have it!”

John Rolf: “Whatever happened to manners and etiquette?” Pocahontas: “Well, since you are new here, I wouldn’t expect you to have them.”

You will always be with me.

There are many voices around you, but you must listen to your own voice.

We walked the same path once, but I have found where I belong.

I have duty to honour what is in my heart.

 Final Thoughts:

Maybe you’ve walked the same path with someone for a while and then drifted apart. Remember that we each have our own path to take and we must listen to our own heart, our own voice, to determine our own path. When you find where you belong, you will know.

 3 Mickeys out of 5:

 Next Week’s Movie: Mulan

Week 5: Pocahontas (1995)

This is another Disney movie that would make my top ten for sure. I can sing along with and quote nearly the entire movie. I remember clearly how many of my school friends and I would say, “Wingapo”, and do the arm motion. The year this movie came out, my Grandma Nelson gave me a lithograph of one of the scenes from the movie and a holographic watch with Pocahontas in it for Easter. I wore that watch until it became unreadable when a drop of water got inside it. To say I absolutely love this movie would probably be an understatement.

Plot Summary: An English soldier and the daughter of an Algonquin chief share a romance when English colonists invade seventeenth-century Virginia. (www.imdb.com)

Fun Fact: When the Native Americans are preparing for the battle, they are surrounding a big fire. Before they move to start the battle, they are all walking towards the center of the circle. As they do this everyone’s shadow is right in front of them, as if the sun was behind all of them. This isn’t possible since at least half of their shadows would be behind them and not in front of them.

Favourite Character: Pocahontas. But I am also quite partial to Meeko and Flit.

Favourite Song:

Just Around the Riverbend (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DE5a80I8EU

Colours of the Wind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvvZ1TEQRB8)

Quotable Quotes:

I’ve seen hundreds of new worlds, Thomas. What could possibly be different about this one?

As the river cuts his path, though the river’s prod and strong, it will choose the smoothest course.

Listen with your heart, you will understand.

Sometimes our paths are chosen for us.

The ripples, so small at first, but then they grow. But someone has to start them.

You can never step in the same river twice.

I’d rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without you.

You know your path, child, now follow it.

This is my path, what will yours be?

No matter what happens, I’ll always be with you. Forever.

Final Thoughts:

The love story between John Smith and Pocahontas is by far one of my favourite Disney love stories. These two are destined to be together and, yet, so many things try to get in their way. Nevertheless, when Pocahontas finally realizes her destiny and follows it – she and John Smith begin to change their world. Whatever your path may be, when you find it and follow it, things will begin to come together the way they are meant to.

5 Mickeys out of 5:

Next Week’s Movie: Pocahontas II: Journey to the New World