Trailer Reaction: DISNEY'S ENCANTO

 

 Check out my latest trailer reaction for the upcoming Disney animated film, ENCANTO.

TOY STORY 4 Poster & Teaser Trailer Officially Released

It has been nearly a decade since Woody, Buzz, and the gang graced the big screen with a feature film, but next June we will finally get to see the next chapter of this epic saga.

And to get us hyped for the upcoming film, Pixar has released the first official teaser poster and teaser trailer.  Just enough to leave us wanting more.  The teaser also includes an updated synopsis that reveals the film takes the beloved Toy Story characters on a brand-new "road trip adventure".

Podcast Episode #6: CINEMACON 2018 & Avengers: Infinity War NON-SPOILER Review

Hey there, fellow Mercs!  Check out the sixth episode of the official Merc With A Movie Blog podcast!

During this episode, I discuss all the big news that came out of CinemaCon 2018 from all the major studios!

I also give a short NON-SPOILER review of Avengers: Infinity War!

Why Haven't I Seen That?: TOY STORY 3

Welcome to a new installment of WHY HAVEN'T I SEEN THAT?, where we talk about a must-see or iconic movie that we have never seen...until now. This week we take a look at one of the best animated films out there, the 2010 Pixar threequel...TOY STORY 3.  Enjoy.

Family Movie Night: TREASURE PLANET

Welcome to a new installment of FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, where we give our family friendly recommendations.This week, we take a look at the 2002 Disney Animated Film...TREASURE PLANET!

EDITORIAL: Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Over-creating

“There are a few significant things that happen in Han Solo’s life, like acquiring a certain vehicle and meeting a certain Wookiee that will happen in this film. But you will also discover how he got his name.” 

—Bob Iger, Disney CEO on the new Han Solo Movie

There are questions you'd probably rather never know the answers to. Since Disney’s 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm, we have seen a push for new films, toys, games, and other sellable items (hello Star Wars CoffeeMate Coffee Creamer). At first, admittedly, I was incredibly excited. A chance for new Star Wars movies? Perhaps an Indiana Jones movie if we are lucky? New video games and clothes? Even a Star Wars Universe at Disney World?! Hell yes. However, with this new parent company looking to make a return on their $4 billion investment, we are seeing some things that I think could taint the Star Wars universe, just like what has happened with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Why Haven't I Seen That?: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1996)

Welcome to a new installment of WHY HAVEN'T I SEEN THAT?, where we talk about a must-see or iconic movie that we have never seen...until now. This week we take a look at the 1996 animated Disney classic...THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.  Enjoy.

Movie Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017)

Belle (Emma Watson) is a...yeah probably no need for a plot synopsis since this is the tale as old as time and it would just bore the hell out of any reader. So lets just get to it. Beauty and the Beast is the live action Disney remake that comes 26 years after the gorgeous animated feature.

I am not only fine with, but encourage the retelling of classical tales in any kind of medium. It has been done since the dawn of humanity and I see no problem in doing so as long as there is always something new to add to these stories and some fresh silver lining to find in our characters. Going into this I must admit that I was very frightened of being treated to a shot-for-shot remake that I would have enjoyed only because of charm and would have felt embarrassed about it.

Why Haven't I Seen That?: THE LION KING

Welcome to a new installment of WHY HAVEN'T I SEEN THAT?, where we talk about a must-see or iconic movie that we have never seen...until now. This week we take a look at the 1994 beloved animated classic THE LION KING!  Enjoy.

Movie Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017)

Beauty and the Beast (2017) is the latest live-action remake by Disney of one of its animated classics. Directed by Bill Condon, this film re-tells the tale as old as time about a beautiful girl being trapped in an enchanted castle and eventually falling in love with the cursed beast/prince within. The film stars Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson.

Movie Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)

Beauty and the Beast (1991) is a classic Disney animated feature that tells the story of a beautiful girl in a small town in France who gets entangled with a prince and his servants who had been previously transformed into a ferocious beast and a variety of household objects. The film is distinguished for being the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and remains a staple of the Disney princess cannon. The film is directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise and stars Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, and Angela Lansbury.

Trailer Review: Pixar's COCO (Teaser Trailer #1)

2017 has been a great year for movies and Pixar's COCO looks like it will be no exception. The first official trailer looks adorable and fun. Check it out below:

Oscars Week Series: ANIMATED FEATURE REVIEWS

Welcome to our special OSCAR WEEK SERIES of reviews. This series will go through the seven categories in which an award is given based on the entire film (rather than any one constituent element). This sixth review in the series will go through the ANIMATED FEATURE FILM nominees.

Family Movie Night: ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN

Welcome to another installment of FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, where we give our recommendation on a family-friendly movie to enjoy. This week we blow the dust off a classic Disney offering, 1975's ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.

Howdy fellow film freaks, Robert here. If the name "Witch Mountain" means anything to you at all, you likely remember it from the completely unnecessary Race to Witch Mountain, a nostalgia reboot of the series released in 2009. Movie geek that I am, I knew of the earlier Witch Mountain projects, 1975's Escape to Witch Mountain and it's 1978 sequel, Return from Witch Mountain, but had never actually watched either of them. This review represents the end of that omission, and I can't say I'm all the richer for it.

EDITORIAL: The Importance of the Blockbuster in an Age of Indie Film

Blockbuster films have been a big part of the theater experience for decades.  These are the types of films that tend to draw large crowds to the theater, and it's these crowds that keep studios and theaters alike running.  But lately, it's the independent film that has been gaining popularity, as we see more and more these films getting awards attention, and for good reason.  You want a fun, exciting time at the theater?  Then you'll probably want to see a blockbuster like Rogue One or Doctor Strange.  But, if you're looking for something with more heart and depth, something with a story that will stick with you long after seeing it, then independent films, such as Moonlight or Sing Street, are the way to go.

Family Movie Night: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Welcome to a new installment of FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, where we give our recommendation for a family-friendly film to enjoy. This week we review the majestic and wonderfully animated BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  This film has something for every member of the family to enjoy.

Disney has a great talent for bringing fairy tales to life onscreen, and Beauty and the Beast is no exception. There had been attempts in the 1930's and 1950's to adapt the story to screen, however it wasn't until 1991 that if finally was released by Walt Disney Pictures.

Movie Review: MOANA

Moana Waialiki is a sea voyaging enthusiast and the only daughter of a chief in a long line of navigators. When her island's fisherman can't catch any fish and the crops fail, she learns that the demigod Maui caused the blight by stealing the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. The only way to heal the island is to persuade Maui to return Te Fiti's heart, so Moana sets off on an epic journey across the Pacific. The film is based on stories from Polynesian mythology.

Trailer Review: CARS 3 (Teaser Trailer)

The first teaser trailer for Pixar's Cars 3, a film that I wanted, but probably no one else did, has officially dropped, and Sammy is here to give you his thoughts.  So check out the synopsis, trailer, and review below:

Trailer Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Trailer #1)

Disney has seemingly greenlit their entire catalog of animated films for live-action remakes and reboots. With the wild success of Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book and with David Lowery's Pete's Dragon being generally forgettable, all eyes are on Bill Condon's Beauty and the Beast to see if this new wave of Disney films will flop or fly. This morning, Disney released the first full-length trailer for Beauty and the Beast and, at least for me, proved that we have a new classic film coming next year.

Movie Review: DOCTOR STRANGE (Review #3)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been ruthlessly and ferociously expanding for quite sometime. Looking back at the early films that hide within the universe, we see a group of filmmakers desperately trying to grasp a unique look at film form and utilize this to create box office shattering blockbusters. But something has been happening recently that takes a much more interesting and enjoyable turn. Instead of grabbing big time directors for these big time films, they have sought out indie directors with a clearly established visual style and thrust a character or storyline upon them. This seems to be working seamlessly, receiving not only incredible revenue from the theatres but also a well received response from the critics. One of the best examples of this "risk-taking" style of filmmaking working at its absolute best is with Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange!