During the Disney Renaissance, Walt Disney Animation Studios dominated the box office with a decade of high-quality, animated super hits of the late ’80s (The Little Mermaid, 1989) through the late ’90s (Tarzan, 1999). Before computer animated sensations (the Toy Story trilogy, Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon) made Pixar Animation Studio and DreamWorks Animation household names, Disney was the only company whose name was really synonymous with animated features, although many other studios were active at the time.
Below are a number of traditionally animated features of the ’80s and ’90s which are commonly mistaken for Disney films. The films may be fairy tales and epic adventures, but they’re not animated by Disney. Which ones are you surprised to discover aren’t Disney films?
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1500
Anyone concerned that poor critical reviews (33% rotten on Rotten Tomatoes) or the absence of franchise stars Kiera Knightly and Orlando Bloom would keep Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides from being a mega hit can rest easy.
Promotional image for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, image copyright Disney
The fourth installment in the Pirates franchise may have performed weakly by domestic standards (only $236 million to date as compared to $305 million for The Curse of the Black Pearl, $309 million for At World’s End, and a whopping $423 million for Dead Man’s Chest), but it was only the second Pirates film to break the $1 billion mark worldwide, and only the eighth film overall, including three others by Disney: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Toy Story 3 (2010). On Stranger Tides was the first of the franchise to be shot and screened in 3D, and the film’s considerable box office success was helped by 3D and IMAX premium ticket prices.
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1491
July 15th is sure to be a day of nostalgia for movie goers, thanks to two major releases from family-friendly franchises.
This Friday marks the end of an era when the eighth and final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), makes its theatrical debut almost ten years after the magical trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione (played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson) first journeyed to Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s [Philosopher’s] Stone (2001).
Screenshot from Winnie the Pooh (2011), copyright Disney
While Harry Potter‘s epic showdown between good and evil is sure to wow the millions of fans who grew up with the beloved children’s series, movie goers looking to revisit their childhoods in a more mellow fashion can mosey on over to the theater next door for another visit to the charming Hundred Acre Wood, home of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger too.
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1481
Two weeks after the Disney Channel launched the Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off, the competition is going strong, with more than 5,400 (!) audition videos submitted online by talented young dancers from all over the United States.
Screenshot from the Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off website, image copyright Disney
When Disney first announced the Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off several weeks prior to the launch of the official website, there was very little information online regarding specific rules and regulations. At first it was unclear how the six finalists would be chosen as it was announced that dancers could submit their videos online OR audition in person at five audition cities throughout July. A lively discussion started up on this blog about the contest, and hopefully everyone got their questions answered. Thanks to all of the commenters!
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1439
