A new two-part, four-hour documentary film examines Walt Disney’s complex life and enduring legacy on the PBS series American Experience. It will feature rare archival footage from the Disney vaults, scenes from some of his greatest films, and interviews with biographers, animators and artists who… Read More »Walt Disney documentary coming to American Experience on PBS – first trailer
Way back in 1982, just before TRON was about to come out, there was a concerted effort inside Disney to expand the use of computers in film and animation. Along the way Disney publicist Mike Bonifer helped produce a documentary called “Computers are people too”… Read More »Lost Disney History – Computers Are People Too
NBA basketball star LeBron James will executive produce ESPN Films’ and Disney XD’s new special “Becoming,” a half-hour show for kids and families profiling the inspirational journeys of today’s top athletes. Right now it’s just one show scheduled for Sunday, October 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT)… Read More »NBA Star LeBron James producing show for Disney and ESPN
A new biographical look at the life of Walt Disney has been rumored to be in the works for a few years now. PBS and American Experience have now revealed that “Walt Disney,” a new four-hour, two-night film that explores the life and legacy of… Read More »PBS’ American Experience to Profile Walt Disney in Fall of 2015
Editor’s Note: I have not been presented the opportunity to view Blackfish and urge you to consider both sides of the argument before drawing any conclusions. A good place to start is this NY Times article on SeaWorld Park’s and Entertainment‘s response to the movie and what it sees as distortions of the facts and message. I want to thank Mike Bastoli for continuing to post here on the blog; even when I’m not 100% comfortable with his topics, I’m glad I can provide a forum for his ideas.
First of all, I’d like to thank John for giving me the opportunity to comment on Blackfish here. Even though we are of different opinions on whether orcas—killer whales—should continue to be kept in captivity at SeaWorld and places like it, we both agree that everyone should have an opportunity to evaluate the facts and make up their own mind on the issue. Really, we are the jury.
Blackfish begins with a black screen and a terrifying 911 call: “A whale has eaten one of the trainers,” the voice on the phone tells the dispatcher. That call was made on February 24, 2010, moments after SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum, a 12,000-pound male orca who had taken human life twice before.
Read More »‘Blackfish’ an Eye-Opening Look at Orca Captivity
The 1964 World’s Fair just had its 49th anniversary. It was very influential not just in the growth of Disneyland, but in Walt’s vision for EPCOT. After the Fair is a documentary that tracks not just what happened to some of the fair’s more iconic… Read More »Beyond the World’s Fair
Disneynature takes moviegoers deep into the forests of Africa with “Chimpanzee,” a new True Life Adventure introducing an adorable young chimpanzee named Oscar and his entertaining approach to life in a remarkable story of family bonds and individual triumph. Oscar’s playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom. Working together, Oscar’s chimpanzee family—including his mom, Isha, and the group’s savvy leader, Freddy — navigates the complex territory of the forest.
The world is a playground for little Oscar and his fellow young chimpanzees, who’d rather make mayhem than join their parents for an afternoon nap. But when Oscar’s family is confronted by a rival band of chimpanzees, he is left to fend for himself until a surprising ally steps in and changes his life forever. Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“African Cats” and “Earth”) and Mark Linfield (“Earth”), and narrated by Tim Allen (ABC’s “Last Man Standing”), “Chimpanzee” swings into theaters on April 20, 2012, just in time for Earth Day.
Are you planning to make the next DisneyNature film Chimpanzee part of your Earth Day celebrations? It turns out the production involved more than just sending one guy with a camera out into the forest to film some wild animals. They sent a whole crew and boy did they have fun. Find ‘Fun Facts’ about the movie below the jump:
Andy and Sara Neitzert have produced what looks to be a charming documentary film chronicling the history and life of Walt Disney’s “hometown” Marceline. They’ve just released a trailer and I love how it focuses on the people, not just the place. There are still… Read More »Marceline – Walt’s Home Town Documentary