The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) Directed by Jack Kinney, Clyde Geronimi and James Algar Synopsis Two longer shorts again, each about thirty minutes long. The first is an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, in which Mr. Toad becomes obsessed with the new invention of automobiles in 1909 England. He’s … Continue reading The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Author: Karoil
Willow
Willow (1988) Dir. by Ron Howard Starring Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley and Jean Marsh Synopsis Willow is a farmer and amateur stage magician from a small village of hobbit-like Nelwyn. One day, his children find a human baby in the river. When soldiers attack the village looking for the baby, Willow must leave on a … Continue reading Willow
Melody Time
Melody Time (1948) Directed by Jack Kinney, Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske and Wilfred Jackson (supervisors) Synopsis Our tour of Disney’s 1940s package films continues. This time, we have a follow-up to Make Mine Music, with another seven shorts set to various popular and folk songs. Unlike the earlier package film, this one has Fantasia-style introductions … Continue reading Melody Time
Big Trouble in Little China
Big Trouble in Little China (1986) Dir. by John Carpenter Starring Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, Kim Cattrall, James Hong and Victor Wong Synopsis After a night of drinking and gambling, trucker driver Jack Burton accompanies his friend Wang Chi, a San Francisco Chinatown restauranteur, to the airport to pick up his fiancée. When she is abducted by … Continue reading Big Trouble in Little China
Fun and Fancy Free
Fun and Fancy Free (1947) Directed by Jack Kinney, Bill Roberts and Hamilton Luske (animation) and William Morgan (live-action segments) Synopsis Another week, another package film. This time there’s just two longer segments, with some connective tissue involving Jiminy Cricket and a live-action sequence with ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his puppets. The first, “Bongo”, is … Continue reading Fun and Fancy Free
Sneakers
Sneakers (1992) Dir. by Phil Alden Robinson Starring Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell Plot In the late 60s, two college students are caught using early computer modems to hack into bank accounts. One is sent to prison, while the other flees to Canada. Twenty years later, that man, under the assumed name … Continue reading Sneakers
Make Mine Music
Make Mine Music (1946) Directed by Jack Kinney et al (supervisors) Synopsis Much like Fantasia before it, this is a collection of shorter animated segments, each inspired by and incorporating a piece of music. This time around, the theme was the popular music of the day instead of classical works (with a couple of exceptions), … Continue reading Make Mine Music
Romancing the Stone
Romancing the Stone (1984) Dir. by Robert Zemeckis Starring Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and Manuel Ojeda Plot After her sister is kidnapped, successful yet timid romance author Joan Wilder must travel to Columbia with the ransom demand, a treasure map formerly belonging to her now-deceased brother-in-law. However multiple factions, including her brother-in-law’s killer, are all … Continue reading Romancing the Stone
The Three Caballeros
The Three Caballeros (1944) Directed by Norman Ferguson (supervisor) Synopsis Donald Duck receives a bunch of wrapped presents for his birthday. The first contains a film projector, which shows him three Latin American-themed shorts. Upon opening the second, he finds a pop-up book of Brazil, containing a miniaturized Jose Carioca. Carioca shrinks Donald, and they … Continue reading The Three Caballeros
Remo Williams
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) Dir. by Guy Hamilton Starring Fred Ward, Wilford Brimley, Joel Grey and Kate Mulgrew Plot A New York cop is recruited against his will for the secret spy organization CURE. His death having been faked, he is given the new identity of “Remo Williams,” and is sent to train with a … Continue reading Remo Williams
Cinematic Nostalgia 