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Underappreciated Disney Films: Robin Hood

I’ve been talking a lot lately about Disney’s fairy-tale based films. They’re my favorite of Disney’s offerings because they appeal to the part of me that’s always loved fantasy stories. But I’ve decided to highlight some of Disney’s lesser-known but equally excellent films. Every few months I will profile one of what I call Disney’s underappreciated movies. This month I’ve chosen one of my favorite non-fairy-tale Disney films, and one that gets a bit more attention than the others due to its legendary subject: Robin Hood. The playfully anthropomorphic Robin Hood, released in 1973, is the perfect family film because … Continue reading →

Showdown (1973)

“Showdown” is a movie I watched in my attempt to expand my repertoire. It’s a western-gunslinger-love triangle, and I enjoyed it despite the fact I didn’t think I would. Rock Hudson is Chuck Jarvis, the sheriff in town. His best friend is Billy Massey (Dean Martin) and they’ve known each other just about their entire lives. They both fell in love with the same girl, Kate (Susan Clark) and they went into partnership on a ranch. When Kate chose Chuck, it was hard on Billy and he decided to sell Chuck his share of the ranch. Billy rode off for … Continue reading →

Robin Hood (1973)

A pox on the phony King of England! Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men have taken over Sherwood Forest and are living lives of gaiety and adventure, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, thwarting the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and rescuing the fair Maid Marian. There’s a twist to this tale, however – Robin Hood is a fox. No, I don’t mean that he’s good looking – I mean, he’s an actual fox, as is Maid Marian. Little John is a bear, and Friar Tuck is a badger. Each of the characters in this Disney … Continue reading →

Redwall: The Movie (2000)

Redwall is the creation of author Brian Jacques, who created this medieval world where mice are the main characters. His books have been hugely popular amongst fans of fantasy, and with the 2000 release of “Redwall: the Movie,” they had a way to enjoy this series in addition to the television show already created and the books so loved. Our hero is Matthias, a young mouse who was orphaned when his parents were killed by a villain named Cluny the Scourge, a huge rat. No, literally a rat – no reflection of his character at all there, although he is … Continue reading →

How Old Are Your Favorite Disney Films?

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I have a special little cupboard where I keep all of our Walt Disney children’s classics. OK, it is a pretty big cupboard and it is loaded with both DVDs and VHS tapes. Truth be told, I started collecting Disney movies long before I ever had children. Heck, I was collecting them long before I ever met my husband! I love the Disney classics and even some of the more recent children’s movies made by Disney/Pixar and I love that my kids are enjoying them too. The funny thing about Disney movies is that I could probably tell you where … Continue reading →

The Little Bear Movie (2001)

If you’re not familiar with the character of Little Bear, allow me to take a moment to introduce you. He began as a children’s book character, the creation of Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Later he was turned into a children’s television show which aired on Nickelodeon. He lives with his mother and father in a small but cozy cottage. His father is a fisherman and is often gone, so Little Bear spends much of his time with his mother. He also has friends – Cat, Duck, Hen, No-Feet (a snake) and a little girl named Emily and … Continue reading →

The Princess of Thieves (2001)

We all know the story of Robin Hood and his merry men, how they stole from the rich and gave to the poor, and fought against Prince John and his evil henchman, the Sheriff of Nottingham. We also know how Robin fell in love with Maid Marion. “The Princess of Thieves” takes us on another fantastical journey – what if Robin and Marion had a daughter? Keira Knightly stars as Gwyn, daughter to Robin Hood. The Sheriff of Nottingham still has it in for Robin Hood and has sworn a bounty on the head of any offspring Robin might have, … Continue reading →

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Most of us are familiar with the story of the young lad Arthur and how he pulled a sword out of a stone to prove his worthiness to become the king of England. In “The Sword in the Stone,” Disney takes the tale a step further with animated effects and great characterization. Arthur, otherwise known as The Wart, works as a scullery boy in the castle belonging to Sir Ector. Ector’s son, the slovenly Kay, will soon become a knight, and Arthur is assigned to squire for him. It’s an honor, to be sure, especially for someone of such low … Continue reading →

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1995)

This video adaptation of the classic children’s book by Beatrix Potter is narrated by Carol Burnett. We begin our story in a sandbank under a large tree, where the Rabbit family lives. There is Mother and her four children: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail were all good little bunnies and did what they were told, but Peter had an adventurous streak in him and wanted to learn the answers to life himself. When his mother told him not to go to Mr. MacGregor’s garden, because his father was caught there and ended up becoming a rabbit … Continue reading →

Dreamer (2006)

I have a confession. I am sick to death of movies about this underdog sports team coming from behind to win or that injured animal rising above the limits of their physical strength to overcome the odds. The theme has just been done to death. So it was with a little bit of a sigh that I decided to watch “Dreamer.” I had one of those distinct “déjà vu but not in a good way” feelings. But you know what, I was pleasantly surprised. Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer. His father (Kris Kristofferson) was a trainer before … Continue reading →