The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

Title: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Release Date: November 2, 2018
Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston
Starring: Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman


Who would I recommend this to?
I don't know...this fits a very specific audience.

What is this about?
A girl travels into a magical world and must save its residents from evil.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Christmastime.

Where does it take place?
The Four Realms.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I needed an N for the A to Z Challenge.

How did I like this?
I found this movie quite boring. I love the set design, but I was not interested in the plot at all. And I'm scared of clowns, sooo....

Keira Knightley's acting is atrocious. She was so over-the-top and obvious, there was so subtlety. Just stamp LIAR onto her character's forehead.

Have you seen The Nutcracker and the Four Realms? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Title: Mary Poppins Returns
Rating: PG
Run Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Release Date: December 19, 2018
Genre(s): Fantasy, Drama, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever likes Mary Poppins.

What is this about?
A magical nanny helps a family save their house.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you need something to do for two hours.

Where does it take place?
London.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I needed an M for the A to Z Challenge and it's Disney.

How did I like this?
It's better than I thought it would be. I'm not a big fan of the original so I had pretty low expectations. I don't like most of the songs though; the original does win on that front.

The kids are annoying, but the villain is pretty good. He's realistic which is the scariest kind.

Have you seen Mary Poppins Returns? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure (2001)

Title: Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 9 minutes
Release Date: February 27, 2001
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Darrell Rooney, Jeannine Roussel
Starring: Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of the original and dog movies in general.

What is this about?
A house puppy longs to be a street dog until he meets a street dog who longs for a family.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have an hour for something cute.

Where does it take place?
New England, somewhere based on that opening song.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I liked the first one and needed an L for the A to Z Challenge.

How did I like this?
This was such a pleasant surprise! The animation and plot were much better compared to other sequels. Unfortunately the songs are still terrible. I could have done without them and just enjoyed this adorable story of puppy love.

Have you seen Scamp's Adventure? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Kazaam (1996)

Title: Kazaam
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Release Date: July 17, 1996
Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
Production Co.: Touchstone Pictures
Director: Paul Michael Glaser
Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Francis Capra, Ally Walker


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who doesn't take things too seriously.

What is this about?
A boy finds a rapping genie and his long lost music executive father.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you need some high quality 90s entertainment.

Where does it take place?
New York.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I know I was totally obsessed with this movie as a kid and had to watch it as my K for the A to Z challenge!

How did I like this?
This movie is totally as great as I remembered. I have such a soft spot for mid-90s movies since I was old enough to actually remember that time, but still young enough that of course it was awesome. There's no way something like this would get made to day, and not just because of the questionable aspects of it. I mean, basketball player turned actor turned rapper playing a rapping genie? Genius.

And it has a lot of heart.

Have you seen Kazaam? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World (1998)

Title: Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Release Date: August 25, 1998
Genre(s): Animation, Biography, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Tom Ellery, Bradley Raymond
Starring: Irene Bedard, Donal Gibson, Jim Cummings


Who would I recommend this to?
No one, really. Unless you're doing research for something...

What is this about?
Pocahontas travels to England to negotiate peace for her people.

When would be a good time to watch this?
During research for poor representation in film.

Where does it take place?
England.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I've been putting it off for 20+ years.

How did I like this?
I think I liked this as much as I did because I had such low expectations. Don't get me wrong, it's not a good movie, but I found that I enjoyed it. Mostly because I liked how Pocahontas wasn't going to let the white man make a fool of her and kill her people.

The songs are bad with the exception of the first one and the one during the credits. This could have done without the musical element. We all know it was never going to compare with the original.

I can't speak to the historical accuracy or how Disney was trying to make up for the first movie, but we all know the answer to that.

Have you seen Pocahontas 2? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Ice Princess (2005)

Title: Ice Princess
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Release Date: March 18, 2005
Genre(s): Drama
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Tim Fywell
Starring: Michelle Trachtenberg, Kim Cattrall, Trevor Blumas


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes girl power movies.

What is this about?
A science geek applies physics to figure skating.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you need a dose of family friendly girl power.

Where does it take place?
Dover, Connecticut.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I'm pretty sure I saw this in theaters. Disney, princess in the title, sparkly costumes, duh.

How did I like this?
This movie was ahead of its time in many ways. A geeky girl who isn't tormented! Girls supporting girls! Varying views on feminism! No boy drama! Yes, there's kissing, of course.

Have you seen Ice Princess? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002)

Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Release Date: March 19, 2002
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Romance, Musical
Production Co.: Disney Television Animation
Director: Bradley Raymond
Starring: Jason Alexander, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tom Hulce


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of straight to video sequels.

What is this about?
Quasimodo has found love, or is she a liar and a thief?!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever, take your time.

Where does it take place?
Paris, France.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I hadn't seen it before and why not...

How did I like this?
It's not terrible. It's actually pretty cute at times. The songs aren't good though, and this villain cannot even compare to the epic evil of Judge Frollo. But this is meant to be rather light-hearted to give Quasi his happily ever after.

It's certainly better than other Disney straight to video sequels.

Have you seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame II? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?