What Have I Been up To? March 2024

For the first time ever, I am releasing this early. So, although it’s only been a few days since my last post, I am happy to admit I was on top of things this month. This is the way I rate things.

1. No redeeming qualities whatsoever visually, aesthetically, or as a story. 
2. So boring I could barely pay attention or it frustrated me SO much I couldn’t finish. 
3. I had a headache but somehow made it through. 
4. I could make fun of it. . . because of how bad it is. 
5. It’s not good, it’s not bad. It’s just blah. 
6. There were various interesting aspects but nothing to really gush about.
7. A solid story. Good characters, plot, and visuals. However, not amazing. 
8. I genuinely enjoyed watching/reading it. I could see/read it again with friends.
9. A great experience! As a film/show it is visually stunning and has an incredible story I could go back to multiple times. As a book, I could do the same. 
10. Near Perfect (nothing is perfect.) It has become one of my favorites. I could also write entire articles on it.

Movies

Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) 6.5/10

So, I had no clue this movie was coming out until a week before its release. That is REALLY bad publicity. Some people might bash this movie into the ground. I don’t really see a point in doing so. It was . . . FINE. If I was a child, I would think this movie was fantastic. But as an adult, most of the mature storytelling from the first two films is gone. Probably because it’s being stretched too thin.

I’m not insulted by this movie’s existence. I thought the art direction was quite beautiful and I enjoyed some of the fighting. The humor was sort of bland, but that’s fine.

A Troll in Central Park (1995) 3.5/10

I could have kept watching this movie, but my brother died one-third of the way in. I don’t blame him. I used this movie as an example of misplaced sound effects and voice acting during my Animation class. It also has abysmal musical numbers and timing.

This is another of Don Bluth’s films I don’t know how it got out of storyboarding. The concept is overall ridiculous and I can’t see kids or adults really wanting to see it. I like to make fun of it though so that’s a plus!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) 10/10

I really appreciate how this movie has had a resurgence over the last five or so years. When this movie came out when I was. . . five? Yes five, I LOVED it. It confused my parents but I went out of my way to rewatch it constantly. It is really underrated and many younger people are figuring it out now. Hurray. 🙂

That aside, what really stands out in this movie for me is its core idea of “What makes a monster and what makes a man?”. I love this premise and picking apart the multiple layers it creates in the story with the characters. I already did my review for this movie so if you want you can check it out.

Funny story, I showed this to my students in my animation class, and the first thing they said when the movie was done was, “Miss, this wasn’t a kids movie.” I assured them it was rated G. They didn’t believe me. I guess Frollo and the mob abuse scene convinced them otherwise.

If you haven’t seen this movie and you like Disney, please watch it as soon as possible.

The Aristocats (1970), 7.5/10

I thought I would like this more on rewatch but teaching students about animation ruined it for me. I noticed how the characters didn’t mesh with the backgrounds well in places and how simplistic it was compared to other Disney films. However, I DID think the characters were very charming and I liked most of the songs.

Also, props to them for making a romantic movie that wasn’t altogether conventional. Thomas O’Malley and Duchess were a joy to watch. On another note, “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat” is the best part of the movie (although I don’t like the racial stereotypes among the other cats).

Once Upon a Studio (2023), 10/10

Wonderful. This short was absolutely wonderful! I actually listened to the Bancroft Brothers Podcast about how this was made and it was surprising. Here are some fun facts:

1. Disney executives were minimally involved in how the short directors Dan Abraham and Trent Correy wanted to make it. (Hurray!)
2. Dan and Trent pitched this idea in a fast-food restaurant over two years or so before they started making it.
3. When possible they got the original animators who created the characters to do animate them in the short.
4. Same with the voice actors. Also, NO ONE said no when they were asked to work on the project.
5. James Baxter is my new research project. He designed and animated Quasimodo and is incredible.
6. The original piano player for “Feed the Birds” came back to play the theme in Walt Disney’s office in his 90’s.

There are more things I could say, but you should watch the short and find these things out for yourself!

TV Shows

Hey Arnold! (1996), 9/10

I’ve discussed this show before. So I’ll keep this short. I watch this when I want a feel-good show set in the 90s. It is one of my “I’m having a hard time.” shows I go back to feel better about things. Arnold is my favorite and Helga is a joy to watch.

Teen Titans (2003), 9.5/10

Wow, I haven’t seen this show for a long time. It is SO WELL DONE it isn’t even funny. The backgrounds are GORGEOUS. I mean. . . look at these!

(These were hard to find so be grateful!) Anyway, Even though I haven’t seen this show for maybe. . . 15 years or so I was super impressed. The characters are solid, their growth is solid, the fighting scenes are fantastically choreographed, the stories for each episode are thoughtfully written, and the animation is top-tier.

Books

The Phantom Tollbooth (1961), 10/10

I’ve read this book a lot. Too much. I read it so I can sleep at night and laugh at grammar jokes no one who doesn’t speak American English would fully understand. So, if you want a fun, whimsical story this is for you! Children’s books are medicine for the soul.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950), 9/10

I haven’t read this book since I was maybe 13. It wasn’t my favorite because I was super into Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings when I was in middle school. But I went back to read this series and am really glad I decided to do it. I really love looking into the Christian symbolism sprinkled throughout the story.

My favorite scene would have to be either when Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus or when Aslan comes back after his sacrifice.

Prince Caspian (1951), 8.5/10

That said, I’ve also read the second book and think it is also a super interesting read. I loved the scene where Aslan has Lucy and her siblings follow him and Edmund is the first to stand up and believe her. Also, Peter fighting Caspian’s uncle was awesome as well!

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), 9.5/10

The last book from this series I read this month was this one and it has become my favorite so far. I love the stories for each island, especially when Eustace is changed back into a boy when Aslan strips the dragon literally off him.

I’ll write about the other books from this series I read next time.

My Fair Gentleman (2016), 7/10

This book was a Meh read this month when I had nothing else to listen to on my way back from work. The romance was between this sailor and stuck-up lady from high society and it panned out like you’d expect. (Hint: they fell in love after overcoming their differences).

The one thing that kept me from really liking this book was how there was not really anything at stake during the story. Most of the negative relationships sort of just ARE and don’t fully develop or get explained.

All in all, this is a candy read that was fine. I’ll probably forget it after a short amount of time.

Webtoons and Comics

The Maid and the Vampire 6.5/10

Upon re-reading this I realized the main male lead is the worst. I was baffled anew why the female lead fell in love with him after all the abuse and trauma he put her through. Overall, I won’t say it’s bad. It’s just confusing and all over the place.

My Gently Raised Beast, 7.5/10

I liked the art in this comic. It was very beautiful. However, the romantic relationship between the Panther guy and the blond girl simply happens because. . . story. However, out of most of the comics I’ve come across it has a pretty good story and characters I actually cared about. But I don’t think I’d read it again.

Maxed Leveled Princess is Bored Today as Well, 6/10

I don’t have much to say about this. The only thing I remember about it is the main character is a woman who is reborn and wants to be lazy but chooses not to be. Woot woot. I felt nothing when I finished it so it simply is a story I read once upon a time.

Run Meil and 6/10

This is another story that just is. I liked it for the most part but the characters had little to no personality so I have no emotional attachment to anything to do with this story.

Sono Koi wa Ichigo no You ni (2018), 8/10

Upon re-reading this, I decided I actually liked it. Not much really happens beyond a relationship blossoming between two characters working on a strawberry farm, but that’s okay. The two main characters have a thirteen-year difference or so but it is actually written very tactfully. It is a sweet story I would revisit every once in a while.

Thanks for reading! I’m always looking for new things to read, watch, or study so if you have any ideas let me know.