\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Of course, such sophisticated and perceptive storytelling requires engaging and complex characters, which Gargoyles<\/i> boasts in spades. Every single member of the cast, human and gargoyle alike, is handled realistically, possessing the same mixture of noble and ignoble qualities as real people, and evolving as the series progresses. This particularly applies to the series protagonist, Goliath, and his mate-turned-enemy, Demona. From the get-go, it's made clear that they (and, presumably, the rest of their clan) both resent humankind's ingratitude for their guardianship, and are, understandably, distrustful of humans following their betrayal. Critically, though, Goliath understands that such ill treatment is borne of fear, and never loses hope of their two races someday making lasting peace; his friendship with Elisa also helps him to overcome his initial distrust after the spell is broken. By contrast, Demona allows her bitterness to consume her, and she vows never to stop until she has destroyed the human species as vengeance for the loss of her family, all while denying the fact that her inner pain is largely a result of her own actions. (Although Greg Weisman has said\u00a0that she'll eventually reach a point where she can potentially redeem herself.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n
\"Goliath<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Of course, such sophisticated and perceptive storytelling requires engaging and complex characters, which Gargoyles<\/i> boasts in spades. Every single member of the cast, human and gargoyle alike, is handled realistically, possessing the same mixture of noble and ignoble qualities as real people, and evolving as the series progresses. This particularly applies to the series protagonist, Goliath, and his mate-turned-enemy, Demona. From the get-go, it's made clear that they (and, presumably, the rest of their clan) both resent humankind's ingratitude for their guardianship, and are, understandably, distrustful of humans following their betrayal. Critically, though, Goliath understands that such ill treatment is borne of fear, and never loses hope of their two races someday making lasting peace; his friendship with Elisa also helps him to overcome his initial distrust after the spell is broken. By contrast, Demona allows her bitterness to consume her, and she vows never to stop until she has destroyed the human species as vengeance for the loss of her family, all while denying the fact that her inner pain is largely a result of her own actions. (Although Greg Weisman has said\u00a0that she'll eventually reach a point where she can potentially redeem herself.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

At its core, this program is both a critique of racial prejudice and a meditation on the nature of evil. It goes out of its way to stress that the capacity for both good and evil exists in everyone, and that morality is never black and white. In its discussion of prejudice, it broaches the topic through the lens of mankind's attitude towards gargoyles; people don't fully understand them, so they fear them and treat them with contempt, showing no gratitude for the protection that they offer. Despite this, there are some individuals, Elisa Maza among them, who are open-minded enough to see that gargoyles are, fundamentally, no different than we are. Thus, the show proves that, while the world is certainly full of problems, a better future can be attained if we all strive together to make the right choices and try to understand one another. And considering the troubled times that we currently live in, those steps are more necessary now than they ever have been before.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Goliath<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Of course, such sophisticated and perceptive storytelling requires engaging and complex characters, which Gargoyles<\/i> boasts in spades. Every single member of the cast, human and gargoyle alike, is handled realistically, possessing the same mixture of noble and ignoble qualities as real people, and evolving as the series progresses. This particularly applies to the series protagonist, Goliath, and his mate-turned-enemy, Demona. From the get-go, it's made clear that they (and, presumably, the rest of their clan) both resent humankind's ingratitude for their guardianship, and are, understandably, distrustful of humans following their betrayal. Critically, though, Goliath understands that such ill treatment is borne of fear, and never loses hope of their two races someday making lasting peace; his friendship with Elisa also helps him to overcome his initial distrust after the spell is broken. By contrast, Demona allows her bitterness to consume her, and she vows never to stop until she has destroyed the human species as vengeance for the loss of her family, all while denying the fact that her inner pain is largely a result of her own actions. (Although Greg Weisman has said\u00a0that she'll eventually reach a point where she can potentially redeem herself.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

I first became acquainted with Gargoyles<\/i> over 15 years ago, when I first watched the condensed VHS release of the 5-part pilot episode. Viewing the entire series as an adult, I can better appreciate just how fresh and innovative it was for its time. For one thing, it was the very first 100% original program of its kind. It was also the first animated series to deliberately follow intricate, multi-episode story arcs (which, in turn, aided in the development of the characters and the mythology of the program). For another, while there were certainly comedic elements to it (and genuinely funny ones, I might add), it wholeheartedly embraced its predominantly somber, tragic tone. And, perhaps most crucially, it addressed thought-provoking concepts in an intelligent, mature manner without talking down to its target audience. (In the latter respect, Gargoyles<\/i> can be said to have been a key influence on such later shows as Liberty's Kids<\/i> and Avatar: The Last Airbender<\/i>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its core, this program is both a critique of racial prejudice and a meditation on the nature of evil. It goes out of its way to stress that the capacity for both good and evil exists in everyone, and that morality is never black and white. In its discussion of prejudice, it broaches the topic through the lens of mankind's attitude towards gargoyles; people don't fully understand them, so they fear them and treat them with contempt, showing no gratitude for the protection that they offer. Despite this, there are some individuals, Elisa Maza among them, who are open-minded enough to see that gargoyles are, fundamentally, no different than we are. Thus, the show proves that, while the world is certainly full of problems, a better future can be attained if we all strive together to make the right choices and try to understand one another. And considering the troubled times that we currently live in, those steps are more necessary now than they ever have been before.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Goliath<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Of course, such sophisticated and perceptive storytelling requires engaging and complex characters, which Gargoyles<\/i> boasts in spades. Every single member of the cast, human and gargoyle alike, is handled realistically, possessing the same mixture of noble and ignoble qualities as real people, and evolving as the series progresses. This particularly applies to the series protagonist, Goliath, and his mate-turned-enemy, Demona. From the get-go, it's made clear that they (and, presumably, the rest of their clan) both resent humankind's ingratitude for their guardianship, and are, understandably, distrustful of humans following their betrayal. Critically, though, Goliath understands that such ill treatment is borne of fear, and never loses hope of their two races someday making lasting peace; his friendship with Elisa also helps him to overcome his initial distrust after the spell is broken. By contrast, Demona allows her bitterness to consume her, and she vows never to stop until she has destroyed the human species as vengeance for the loss of her family, all while denying the fact that her inner pain is largely a result of her own actions. (Although Greg Weisman has said\u00a0that she'll eventually reach a point where she can potentially redeem herself.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

Conceived by Greg Weisman, Gargoyles <\/em>tells the story of a clan of winged humanoid creatures who spend daylight hours as immobile statues, and come to life at night, defending a castle on the west coast of Scotland. In the year 994 C.E., the clan is betrayed by the people they swore to protect, and many of them are destroyed in a raid, with the survivors, including their leader, Goliath, being hexed into stone sleep \"until the castle rises above the clouds.\" A thousand years later, that's exactly what happens, after billionaire David Xanatos rebuilds their castle atop a skyscraper in New York City's Manhattan borough. From then on, the series follows the gargoyles as they adjust to life in a new land and new era, with the help of N.Y.P.D. detective Elisa Maza. All the while, they continue to defend their castle, eventually extending their protection to the city at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first became acquainted with Gargoyles<\/i> over 15 years ago, when I first watched the condensed VHS release of the 5-part pilot episode. Viewing the entire series as an adult, I can better appreciate just how fresh and innovative it was for its time. For one thing, it was the very first 100% original program of its kind. It was also the first animated series to deliberately follow intricate, multi-episode story arcs (which, in turn, aided in the development of the characters and the mythology of the program). For another, while there were certainly comedic elements to it (and genuinely funny ones, I might add), it wholeheartedly embraced its predominantly somber, tragic tone. And, perhaps most crucially, it addressed thought-provoking concepts in an intelligent, mature manner without talking down to its target audience. (In the latter respect, Gargoyles<\/i> can be said to have been a key influence on such later shows as Liberty's Kids<\/i> and Avatar: The Last Airbender<\/i>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its core, this program is both a critique of racial prejudice and a meditation on the nature of evil. It goes out of its way to stress that the capacity for both good and evil exists in everyone, and that morality is never black and white. In its discussion of prejudice, it broaches the topic through the lens of mankind's attitude towards gargoyles; people don't fully understand them, so they fear them and treat them with contempt, showing no gratitude for the protection that they offer. Despite this, there are some individuals, Elisa Maza among them, who are open-minded enough to see that gargoyles are, fundamentally, no different than we are. Thus, the show proves that, while the world is certainly full of problems, a better future can be attained if we all strive together to make the right choices and try to understand one another. And considering the troubled times that we currently live in, those steps are more necessary now than they ever have been before.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Goliath<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Of course, such sophisticated and perceptive storytelling requires engaging and complex characters, which Gargoyles<\/i> boasts in spades. Every single member of the cast, human and gargoyle alike, is handled realistically, possessing the same mixture of noble and ignoble qualities as real people, and evolving as the series progresses. This particularly applies to the series protagonist, Goliath, and his mate-turned-enemy, Demona. From the get-go, it's made clear that they (and, presumably, the rest of their clan) both resent humankind's ingratitude for their guardianship, and are, understandably, distrustful of humans following their betrayal. Critically, though, Goliath understands that such ill treatment is borne of fear, and never loses hope of their two races someday making lasting peace; his friendship with Elisa also helps him to overcome his initial distrust after the spell is broken. By contrast, Demona allows her bitterness to consume her, and she vows never to stop until she has destroyed the human species as vengeance for the loss of her family, all while denying the fact that her inner pain is largely a result of her own actions. (Although Greg Weisman has said\u00a0that she'll eventually reach a point where she can potentially redeem herself.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

\n

In the world of animation, as with live action, the stories that leave the greatest impression on audiences are generally those that tackle complex (and, oftentimes, timely) themes and resonate emotionally with viewers. Indeed, it's safe to say that some of the greatest animated films and TV shows possess these qualities. It wasn't too long ago, however, that animated television was largely reserved for what many people, unappreciative as they were of the art form, dismissed as fodder for frivolous comedy. Then, a show came along that bucked that preconception, opening the door for more serious storytelling, and enthralling a generation of viewers forever after. The series in question was Disney's\u00a0Gargoyles<\/em><\/strong><\/i>\u00a0(1994-1997).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/2xGeSso_45Y\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conceived by Greg Weisman, Gargoyles <\/em>tells the story of a clan of winged humanoid creatures who spend daylight hours as immobile statues, and come to life at night, defending a castle on the west coast of Scotland. In the year 994 C.E., the clan is betrayed by the people they swore to protect, and many of them are destroyed in a raid, with the survivors, including their leader, Goliath, being hexed into stone sleep \"until the castle rises above the clouds.\" A thousand years later, that's exactly what happens, after billionaire David Xanatos rebuilds their castle atop a skyscraper in New York City's Manhattan borough. From then on, the series follows the gargoyles as they adjust to life in a new land and new era, with the help of N.Y.P.D. detective Elisa Maza. All the while, they continue to defend their castle, eventually extending their protection to the city at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first became acquainted with Gargoyles<\/i> over 15 years ago, when I first watched the condensed VHS release of the 5-part pilot episode. Viewing the entire series as an adult, I can better appreciate just how fresh and innovative it was for its time. For one thing, it was the very first 100% original program of its kind. It was also the first animated series to deliberately follow intricate, multi-episode story arcs (which, in turn, aided in the development of the characters and the mythology of the program). For another, while there were certainly comedic elements to it (and genuinely funny ones, I might add), it wholeheartedly embraced its predominantly somber, tragic tone. And, perhaps most crucially, it addressed thought-provoking concepts in an intelligent, mature manner without talking down to its target audience. (In the latter respect, Gargoyles<\/i> can be said to have been a key influence on such later shows as Liberty's Kids<\/i> and Avatar: The Last Airbender<\/i>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At its core, this program is both a critique of racial prejudice and a meditation on the nature of evil. It goes out of its way to stress that the capacity for both good and evil exists in everyone, and that morality is never black and white. In its discussion of prejudice, it broaches the topic through the lens of mankind's attitude towards gargoyles; people don't fully understand them, so they fear them and treat them with contempt, showing no gratitude for the protection that they offer. Despite this, there are some individuals, Elisa Maza among them, who are open-minded enough to see that gargoyles are, fundamentally, no different than we are. Thus, the show proves that, while the world is certainly full of problems, a better future can be attained if we all strive together to make the right choices and try to understand one another. And considering the troubled times that we currently live in, those steps are more necessary now than they ever have been before.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Goliath<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Of course, such sophisticated and perceptive storytelling requires engaging and complex characters, which Gargoyles<\/i> boasts in spades. Every single member of the cast, human and gargoyle alike, is handled realistically, possessing the same mixture of noble and ignoble qualities as real people, and evolving as the series progresses. This particularly applies to the series protagonist, Goliath, and his mate-turned-enemy, Demona. From the get-go, it's made clear that they (and, presumably, the rest of their clan) both resent humankind's ingratitude for their guardianship, and are, understandably, distrustful of humans following their betrayal. Critically, though, Goliath understands that such ill treatment is borne of fear, and never loses hope of their two races someday making lasting peace; his friendship with Elisa also helps him to overcome his initial distrust after the spell is broken. By contrast, Demona allows her bitterness to consume her, and she vows never to stop until she has destroyed the human species as vengeance for the loss of her family, all while denying the fact that her inner pain is largely a result of her own actions. (Although Greg Weisman has said\u00a0that she'll eventually reach a point where she can potentially redeem herself.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summation,\u00a0Gargoyles\u00a0<\/i>is a program that truly stood apart from its predecessors on its debut, and it continues to serve as a shining example of an animated TV series with genuine substance: complex characters, universal and eternally relevant themes, and a rich mythology to its world. I cannot begin to state how glad I am to have finally seen this gem in its entirety, and I strongly encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with it, to dive right in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you seen Gargoyles<\/em>? What other animated show incorporates a complex cast, world building, and great stories?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[SERIES REVIEW] 'Gargoyles'","post_excerpt":"A pioneer of serious storytelling in animated TV form.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"series-review-gargoyles","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-18 09:32:57","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-18 16:32:57","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56398","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"2","filter":"raw"},{"ID":56071,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-22 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-22 13:00:00","post_content":"It's pretty much guaranteed that literary adaptations in film and TV are bound to deviate from the source material, to a certain extent. In some cases, this can result in the film or series in question actually improving on the original story. There are certain works, however, which pretty much demand that anyone who tries to adapt them, stays as faithful to them as possible. One such work is one of my personal favorites, Kenneth Grahame's 1908 masterpiece, The Wind in the Willows<\/em><\/strong>, which has been adapted to animation many times over the years. And the one adaptation that best captures the spirit of the book is one that aired on the BBC in 1995, directed by Dave Unwin.\n\nAs it happens, this particular film was my introduction to the story, way back when I was about four years old; I have since read and re-read the book several times (as well as William Horwood's series of sequels, first published in the 1990s). Thus, I can say with certainty that the strength of The Wind in the Willows<\/i> lies in the writing\u2014every page brims with wit, charm, and atmosphere, which completely draws you into the world of early Edwardian-era Britain (especially the animal world that serves as the main backdrop of the story). And I'm happy to say, this film has not sacrificed one iota of any of those qualities. (Don't get me wrong, Disney's version\u2014perhaps the most well-known to animation enthusiasts\u2014is good fun, but it doesn't quite hold a candle to Grahame's original tale.)\n\n\"Scene\n\nOne thing that I noticed upon rediscovering this film is that it takes several cues from\u00a0The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i> (they were, after all, both produced by TVC London). Just as the latter opened and ended with live-action scenes of Beatrix Potter at her home composing her stories, the former is set up as being read by a mother to her children while out for an excursion on the river. (By the way, Vanessa Redgrave, who plays the woman in question, narrates the story masterfully.) This works greatly to the film's benefit, as it establishes from the get-go the gentle, idyllic atmosphere of the Riverbank, where much of the action takes place. Not to mention, the same atmosphere is beautifully captured in the art direction, inspired greatly by the style of Ernest Shepard (who was the first illustrator of Grahame's book, as well as the Winnie the Pooh<\/em> stories), just as Beatrix Potter's watercolor-and-ink drawings were successfully brought to life in The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends<\/i>. And just like in that program, composer Colin Towns' music perfectly supports the action, while carrying a sense of gentle whimsy and magic (most especially in the theme that recurs throughout the score).\n\n\"Toad\n\nIn conjunction with the high-quality writing, the voice acting in this production is top-notch, especially among the lead characters. Alan Bennett lends just the right blend of shy vulnerability and occasional snark to Mr. Mole; the Water Rat is given an air of wisdom and joviality, courtesy of Monty Python's very own Michael Palin; and Michael Gambon (whom you may recognize from the last six\u00a0Harry Potter\u00a0<\/i>movies, as well as from Jim Henson's\u00a0The Storyteller: Greek Myths<\/i>) brings great gravitas and authority to the role of Mr. Badger. Of course, I'm sure not alone in the opinion that the highlight of the voice cast is the late Rik Mayall, whom you can tell was having the time of his life voicing the egotistical and hammier-than-a-sandwich Mr. Toad; his comic verve is such a delight, he practically steals every scene that he's in! (Rather reminds me of Robin Williams' turn as the Genie, in fact.)\n\nTo summarize,\u00a0The Wind in the Willows<\/i>\u00a0(1995) is probably the arch example of how staying faithful to the source material can potentially be the way to go in animation. With sharp, clever writing, brilliantly performed characters, and a terrific atmosphere, this will always be one of my favorite literary adaptations, as it truly does the original story justice in ways that no other film version has.\n

What's your favorite animated adaptation of a literary work?<\/h1>\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin.<\/p>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[REVIEW] 'The Wind in the Willows' (1995)","post_excerpt":"The BBC 1995 version of The Wind in the Willows captures the spirit of the book.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"review-the-wind-in-the-willows-1995","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-21 13:24:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-21 20:24:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=56071","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55884,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-13 12:43:29","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:43:29","post_content":"\n

I have to confess, when\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/strong><\/em> was first announced, I wasn't too thrilled about it. After all, the movie had wrapped things up so neatly, and Disney Television Animation's track record in spin-off programming hasn't always been so great. Yet, to my utter surprise, this one turned out to be much better than I anticipated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I think it really marks a huge step forward in how such series are crafted. So now that Rapunzel and Co.'s adventures have officially come to a close, , let's dive into this Tangled: The Series<\/em> review and look at what makes stand above its forebears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> Review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Further fleshing out the core characters from the original film\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Eugene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u00a0Tangled\u00a0<\/em>fans can all agree that, in the original film, the characters were absolutely delightful. But, let me state for the record, the additional development that we see in the TV series makes them all the more compelling. Rapunzel, for example, is frequently thrown into unfamiliar situations that challenge her unfailingly glass-half-full outlook, and she must learn to adjust to being part of Corona's royal family again (including shouldering all the responsibilities that go with it), to say nothing of her continued recovery from the trauma inflicted on her by Mother Gothel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, Eugene must come to terms with the ramifications of his criminal past, and has taken it upon himself to provide Rapunzel with the emotional support that she needs when things get dire. Furthermore, we get to see more of the personalities of Rapunzel's parents this time around: King Frederic is shown to be (understandably) overprotective of his daughter, but clearly loves her dearly, and gradually learns to allow Rapunzel to make her own decisions; Queen Arianna, meanwhile, is presented as a more supportive parent, encouraging the princess to forge a distinct identity for herself, and counterpointing the king's paranoia. (Mind you, part of me wishes that she could have been fleshed out a little further still, but as is, she's a good character.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engaging and complex new characters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Rapunzel<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The level of care taken in developing likable and compelling characters extends to those introduced in the show, as well. As far as I can see, not a single personality seems wasted here; series regulars like the acid-tongued and tough-as-nails Cassandra (my personal favorite new face), the enthusiastic (yet slightly accident-prone) and highly intelligent Varian, and the uproariously goofy Lance Strongbow leave a strong impression on you the first time you see them, and progressively grow and take on more depth as the series goes on. Even the various one-offs who pop up from time to time are, for the most part, just as fascinating as the ones we love from the movie (Arianna's highly extroverted sister, Willow, springs to mind). Crucially, each and every one of them helps to serve the plot, in some way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention to continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Mural<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For me, the most important way to judge whether a spin-off or sequel is any good is its narrative relationship to the film that inspired it. In the past, TV series based off of Disney's animated classics tended to deviate from -- and, in some cases, blatantly contradict -- the events of the films that inspired them (with\u00a0The Lion Guard\u00a0<\/em>being the absolute worst offender). Thankfully, that's not the case with\u00a0Tangled<\/em>; the writers have managed to successfully expand on the world of the movie while remaining faithful to the events depicted therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, the level of detail taken in crafting the world outside Corona shows a lot of dedicated effort and originality on the creative team's part; it leaves you wanting to learn more at every step of the way. (Tangentially, the writers manage to keep the audience on their toes with each and every episode, never giving away too much.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical consistency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LsE8ACraYhY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Previous series that followed the musical format of their parent films have been known to produce at least one song that matches those in the first film (e.g., \"In Harmony,\"<\/a> from\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/em>). But generally, because they were written by people not associated with the first film, the quality of songwriting has had a tendency to zigzag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, the decision to bring back Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to write for\u00a0Tangled: The Series<\/em> was a wise move. With a couple of exceptions (\"Buddy\" and \"Listen Up\"), the new songs they came up with are just as good as, if not better than, those from the movie, with a few of my personal favorites including \"Wind in My Hair,\" \"Waiting in the Wings,\" \"Let Me Make You Proud,\" \"Set Yourself Free,\" and \"Ready as I'll Ever Be.\" (Props as well to Tangeld: Ever After\u00a0<\/em>veteran Kevin Kliesch, who manages to craft a score that closely follows the general style of Menken's original work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One final note: Bonus points to the art department\u00a0(headed by the inimitable Claire Keane)\u00a0 for taking inspiration from the wall paintings and murals seen in the original movie, in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and as a proponent of traditional animation, it gladdens my heart to no end to see the series executed in this style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series\u00a0<\/em>is, plain and simply, a Disney Canon TV spin-off done right. I cannot sing its praises highly enough, and hope that any future series of its ilk will follow its lead (though it looks like Big Hero 6: The Series<\/em> already has). So, if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly recommend you do -- even better, watch it as part of a Tangled\u00a0<\/em>marathon, starting with the original movie and ending with the short film,\u00a0Tangled Ever After<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tangled: The Series<\/em> is available to watch on Disney+<\/a>, Amazon<\/a> and iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give us your Tangled: The Series<\/em> review in the comments! Did you like where the series went with the characters and story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Morgan Stradling<\/p>\n","post_title":"'Tangled: The Series' Review: A TV Spin-off Done Right","post_excerpt":"This Tangled: The Series review discusses what made this TV spin-off so great, taking a look at the characters, world, and songs.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tangled-the-series-review-a-tv-spin-off-done-right","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-13 12:46:37","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-13 19:46:37","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55884","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55705,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-03-05 13:47:25","post_date_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:47:25","post_content":"Penny, Suga Mama and the rest of the Proud family are back.\n\nDisney has greenlit<\/a> a sequel series to the Proud Family slated for Disney+, aptly titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder<\/em><\/strong>. Produced by Disney Television Animation the revival finds the titular animated family right where we left them 15 years ago. Creator\/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar will re-team with co-executive producer and story editor Calvin Brown, Jr.\n\nIn addition, the original voice cast returns for the revival including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer, Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez and Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud.\n\nNo word on when the revival will be released, but you can watch the first two seasons and its movie on the Disney+ service.\n\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6os3OT655E8\n

Are you excited for The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder <\/em><\/strong>on Disney+?<\/h2>\nEdited by: Morgan Stradling\n

This is a user-submitted news article by Ernesto Chacon.<\/em><\/p>","post_title":"Proud Family Revival in development at Disney+","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"proud-family-revival-in-development-at-disney","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-03-05 13:49:39","post_modified_gmt":"2020-03-05 20:49:39","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55705","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55542,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-02-21 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2020-02-21 13:00:00","post_content":"\n

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin* <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we have all seen, over the past 30 years or so, animation studios in the West have been making considerable progress in crafting stories that explore non-Western cultures. In the past two decades, we have seen a boatload of movies and TV shows featuring characters from Asia, Oceania (Australia and the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, and, for the most part, they have proven very reverent of the cultures that they depict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, I've come to notice that there is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa. (And, considering that it is Black History Month in the U.S. at the time that I'm writing this, I feel that it's especially appropriate to broach this topic now.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scene<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On the African continent itself, the animation industry has been growing steadily over the past couple of decades (though it is still not quite as well developed as in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., on account of the often scanty resources), with local artists using the medium to teach African history and familiarize local children with their own narrative traditions. When one takes this into consideration, it's all the more vexing that the West has been slow to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, that isn't to say that Africa itself hasn't been represented in Western animation; the problem is, the continent's human cultures have not been paid much attention, if at all. The vast majority of Western animated productions set on the Mother Continent either depict fantastical pseudo-African societies (consider the Waziri tribe in The Legend of Tarzan<\/em>), or don't depict humans at all (The Lion King<\/em>, for example); pretty much the only exception that I have seen is Michel Ocelot's Kirikou and the Sorceress <\/em>(as well as its two sequels). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, most of the African-produced animated features to be released in the West have centered around the animal kingdom (e.g.,\u00a0South Africa's Jock of the Bushveld<\/em>, Khumba<\/em>, and\u00a0Zambezia<\/em>). Compounding this lack of representation even further is the fact that the few human characters of African ancestry in the Western animation sphere are members of the African diaspora (and mostly of the Americas, at that).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
[Variety<\/em>}<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I've touched on the\u00a0scant representation of indigenous North America<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the problematic (but admittedly improving) portrayal of the Middle East<\/a>\u00a0in mainstream Western animation, but the almost total non-representation of African culture and history is just as galling to me. Africa is brimming with diverse and vibrant cultures, each with its own traditions and languages, and all chock full of stories that deserve to be told to as wide an audience as possible. (And bear in mind, I've always held a tremendous fascination with African storytelling.) Some such stories - like those of Anansi the Spider from Ghana - have enjoyed some popularity in the form of storybooks, but animation, to my mind, would be an even more effective medium in which to tell them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s not just folklore that could stand to be adapted to animation either; it would also be a great way to teach Westerners (particularly children) about African history. In fact, I (aspiring animation director that I am) have long been incubating the idea of an animated adaptation of the\u00a0Epic of Sunjata, which tells the story of the founder of the Mali Empire, and have also been considering a feature-length animated film based on the life of the late Kenyan environmentalist and social\/political activist Wangari Maathai (informed in large part by\u00a0a 2015 childrens' book about her life and work<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To restate the point, the cultures and history of Africa have been overlooked by Western animation for far too long, and it's high time that they be given the spotlight - and the sooner, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What African story do you think should be animated? Let us know!<\/h2>\n","post_title":"[OPINION] Needing More African Storytelling in Western Animation","post_excerpt":"There is one region that still has yet to be properly explored by Western animation: Africa.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-needing-more-african-storytelling-in-western-animation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-02-18 18:19:01","post_modified_gmt":"2020-02-19 01:19:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55542","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55194,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2020-01-20 10:16:12","post_date_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:12","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Christopher Fagan*<\/em><\/p>\n

It looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series<\/em>. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn<\/strong> <\/em>cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019. I was able to catch the pilot episode where Harley Quinn, voice by Kaley Cuoco of The Big Bang Theory<\/em>, is on a path to find her own level of independence and acclaim in the city of Gotham without the Joker. The problem she's dealing with on a day-to-day basis is the fact that it's the Joker, and he's going to get in the way, whether she likes it or not. Anyone familiar with the Joker and Harley characters is familiar with the destructive and unhealthy relationship between them. In this new adaptation, Harley Quinn is still as obsessed with the Joker as she's ever been, but in this version, it is revealed that the Joker is just as co-dependent on her.<\/p>\n

No matter how abusive both verbally and physically he is towards her, Harley Quinn still comes back to him as if she is enchanted by the desire that he will one day settle down and marry her. This was shown through a fantasy scene in The Suicide Squad<\/em> movie where Harley Quinn was played by Margot Robbie. The thing that I like about this new cartoon is that Harley Quinn is so far removed from that dream and is looking for her respect first. The twist is that it takes her friends, like Poison Ivy (voiced by actress Lake Bell), who finally get her to realize that the Joker has only been holding her back; she needs to free herself from his clutches to finally begin the journey to becoming one of Gotham's most feared criminals. The only character that is portrayed in a traditional fashion is The Dark Knight himself, Batman, voiced by actor Diedrich Bader. It seems that even the heroes in this cartoon are just as silly and a complete departure from any previous adaptation you've ever seen before. Christopher Meloni who plays an overworked and extremely tired Commissioner Gordon feels like he is 10 years past a much-needed retirement.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

This series is extremely funny, violent, loaded with adult language, and not for young audiences at all. Despite being completely psychotic, Harley Quinn is very likable if not lovable and makes this cartoon a must-see for any DC cartoon series fanatic. The show is very much for young adults, able to tap into that silly, immature side in us all, and definitely keeps the laughs coming.<\/p>\n

Check out the trailer for Harley Quinn<\/em>! Caution: This trailer may not be appropriate for young viewers.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/L5VfbFhsQgU<\/p>\n

Harley Quinn<\/em> can be found on the DC Universe streaming service and is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, and soon PlayStation 4 in addition to web and mobile web access.<\/p>\n\n\n

Interested in this new version of Harley Quinn? Let us know!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/p>\n","post_title":"[PILOT REVIEW] 'Harley Quinn' Starts to Find Herself","post_excerpt":"t looks like Warner Bros. Animation has answered the call from its die-hard fans who have been asking for a more mature version of Batman the Animated Series. From the streaming service, DC Universe, comes a new Harley Quinn cartoon that debuted in late November, 2019.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pilot-review-harley-quinn-starts-to-find-herself","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-01-20 10:16:23","post_modified_gmt":"2020-01-20 17:16:23","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55194","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55116,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-12-03 19:12:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:12:32","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nLike many Disney nerds, I was overjoyed when I first heard about The Princess and the Frog<\/em><\/strong>. Prior to its release, I had begun to view the output of Walt Disney Animation Studios (specifically, the post-Brother Bear<\/em> releases) with no small amount of trepidation, as it felt to me like the studio was starting to lose its touch. That being said, this movie felt like a huge inhalation of fresh air, as it radiates with all of the wonderful qualities that one would expect from a Disney animated classic. It angers me, therefore, that it has been largely overshadowed by the films that followed in the decade since its release. So, in honor of its 10th anniversary, I would like to share the reasons why I believe The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserves much more recognition than it currently gets.\n

Reason #1: A heroine who breaks the mould in more ways than one<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Tiana<\/h3>\nThis goes without saying, but Tiana marks two major firsts: She was the first Disney heroine with a career goal (opening her own restaurant in honor of her late father), and she is also currently the Disney Canon's first human protagonist of African ancestry. In the former regard, she serves as a wonderful role model for the younger members of the audience, teaching the value of dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's in the latter respect, though, that Tiana has had the greatest impact; black viewers across the country were by and large ecstatic to see someone of their background represented on screen<\/a>, and at a time when empowerment of women and people of color in cinema and television takes on increasing importance, she continues to shine as a step in the right direction. (Of course, the fact that much of the supporting cast is also comprised of black characters helps too.)\n\nIt's important to note, though, that there had been black protagonists<\/a> in Disney productions<\/a> prior to Tiana; likewise, Disney has yet to produce an animated film featuring a human lead from Africa proper.\n

Reason #2: A supporting cast that matches its leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Eudora,<\/h3>\nAs far as I can tell, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is probably the first Disney canon film in which the vast majority of the supporting characters are just as well-rounded and compelling as the leads. More importantly, they all help to contribute to the story without feeling like they've been shoehorned in. This applies not only to the standard Disney animal sidekicks (Louis and Ray) but also to many of the human ensemble members (Charlotte La Bouff and Mama Odie, for example).\n

Reason #3: A vibrant and eclectic musical score<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/WUUAkax8oDA\n\nWe all know just how important a role music plays in Disney animation, and by my estimations,The Princess and the Frog<\/em> has possibly one of the most infectious soundtracks of any Disney film since at least The Lion King<\/em>. The film takes full advantage of the rich musical traditions of its New Orleans setting, utilizing swing jazz (\"Down in New Orleans\" and \"Almost There), Dixieland (\"When We're Human\"), zydeco (\"Gonna Take You There\"), blues (\"Ma Belle Evangeline\"), and gospel (\"Dig a Little Deeper\"). You would be hard-pressed to stop yourself from singing along, or at least from tapping your foot to the beat.\n

Reason #4: The film's awareness (and celebration) of its Disney roots<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=UqGBKSzvfB8\n\nDuring the Experimental era, Disney Animation had tried numerous times to deviate from its tried-and-true \"formula,\" to mixed degrees of success. The makers of The Princess and the Frog<\/em>, however, were well aware of the fact that this film owed so much to the legacy first laid down by Snow White<\/em> and all the movies that followed (most especially those of Disney's Renaissance). Hence, it's not surprising that they tried so hard to capture the spirit of classic Disney animation in this film; and if you ask me, they succeeded splendidly. (The innumerable Disney shout-outs are also fun to look for.)\n\nAll of these factors considered, The Princess and the Frog<\/em> is a true-blue Disney classic, which can sit comfortably on the shelf alongside the films of yesteryear. As such, it deserves so much more recognition-- and appreciation-- than it currently receives a decade after its initial release.\n

What do you think? Does The Princess and the Frog<\/em> deserve more attention? What makes it special to you?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley","post_title":"[OPINION] 4 Reasons Why 'The Princess and the Frog' Deserves More Love","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-4-reasons-why-the-princess-and-the-frog-deserves-more-love","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-12-03 19:14:49","post_modified_gmt":"2019-12-04 02:14:49","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55116","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":55072,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-24 15:04:18","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:18","post_content":"\n

When Frozen<\/em><\/strong> first captured audiences\u2019 hearts back in 2013, one of the film\u2019s selling points was its full-on return to the classic Disney animated musical. Aside from The Princess and the Frog<\/em> and Tangled<\/em> in recent years, it had been over a decade since a Disney theatrical release of that nature, and those films arguably helped lay the foundation for the massive modern-day musical success that Frozen<\/em> turned out to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s pull ourselves away from \u201cInto the Unknown\u201d<\/a> for a moment and take a look back at the original Fro<\/a>zen<\/a><\/em> soundtrack<\/a> that rightfully cemented itself into pop culture. The following tracklist is put in order of this author\u2019s personal preference, but we\u2019d love to hear you give your own rankings in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-Let-It-Go\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cLet It Go\u201d <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one should come as no surprise. \u201cLet It Go\u201d won both the Academy Award for best original song written for motion pictures (2014) and the Grammy Award for best song written for visual media (2015), along with a large number of other impressive accolades. During the peak of the Frozen<\/em> obsession, you had a hard time finding someone who hadn\u2019t at least heard<\/em> of the tune (whether they wanted to or not). The song has been translated into 41 different languages, and it has touched the hearts of audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a personal level, \u201cLet It Go\u201d is a meaningful power ballad about being true to yourself, no matter who that self may be. As someone who\u2019s often hid myself away in anxiety and depression, I really connected with the song\u2019s lyrics. Some fans saw the song as a metaphor for coming out about one\u2019s sexuality, and whether or not that was the original intent, the fact that the song has empowered people in so many ways really demonstrates its strength. \u201cLet It Go\u201d also speaks to not letting fear dictate your life, which is exactly what the trolls warned young Elsa about at the beginning of the film. I often find myself falling back on this song when I\u2019m letting fear or anxiety prevent me from doing something I otherwise want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-in-Forever\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the first song in the movie, but \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is the first big musical number. It effectively introduces the audience to present-day Anna and Elsa, their wants, and their problems: Anna wants to find love but she\u2019s restricted to life in the castle, and Elsa wants to control her icy powers but doesn\u2019t know how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d is Frozen<\/em>\u2019s equivalent to The Little Mermaid<\/em>\u2019s \u201cPart of Your World\u201d or Tangled<\/em>\u2019s \u201cWhen Will My Life Begin?\u201d. Those songs have a strong emotional draw and make us care about and root for the heroine, and \u201cFor the First Time in Forever\u201d succeeds at doing that for not one, but two main protagonists. It\u2019s also a genuinely catchy song; no wonder it was included in the final theatrical trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-For-the-First-Time-In-Forever-Reprise\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cFor the First Time in Forever (Reprise)\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reprise of this song takes the melody from the first round and amps up the emotion exponentially during a pivotal point in the film. Elsa\u2019s gradual transition into panic as she learns that she\u2019s frozen the entire kingdom of Arendelle is handled with tact and refreshing realism. The two sisters\u2019 lines are timed and delivered perfectly, making this reprise possibly the best conversational duet in Disney\u2019s theatrical animated catalog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Do-You-Want-to-Build-a-Snowman\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I find myself tearing up at a lot of the songs in Frozen<\/em>, but possibly none more so than \u201cDo You Want to Build a Snowman?\u201d After Elsa accidentally hits her younger sister with a blast of ice, the song paints the rest of the girls\u2019 childhood for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see Anna continually begging her older sister to come out and play and Elsa repeatedly refusing, hiding in her room out of fear of hurting Anna again. This is also of course the song that bookends the scene where the girls\u2019 parents die in a shipwreck, and so Anna\u2019s final plea to her sister, wearing mourning gowns after their parents have passed, is particularly poignant (and tear-worthy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Vuelie\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. \u201cVuelie\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a traditional character-performed tune like the rest of the songs on this list, but it\u2019s a beautiful Norwegian number that sets the tone of the film while lending it cultural authenticity. In an era when pop songs permeate a lot of animated fare, this is an incredibly welcome opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Frozen-Heart\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201c6. Frozen Heart\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Frozen<\/em> lets us know it\u2019s going to be a musical from the very start, and from the first pickaxe clink, \u201cFrozen Heart\u201d takes us into the story without hesitation. It\u2019s a nice fairytale prophecy sort of song that foreshadows events to come without really giving anything away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Love-Is-An-Open-Door\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. \u201cLove Is an Open Door\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This song, while clever and cute, has nothing on the emotional power of Anna\u2019s other vocal performances in this film. It serves a plot point by showing the love-starved Anna falling for Prince Hans, but it feels empty in comparison to \u201cThe First Time in Forever.\u201d Maybe that was intentional, given we all know how the Anna\/Hans relationship ends? Still, this song scores points for the lyric: \u201cWe finish each others\u2019 sandwiches,\u201d which Disney diehards know made it to the t-shirt Anna sports in Wreck-It Ralph 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-In-Summer\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. \u201cIn Summer\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love Olaf. I really do. However even his clever little ditty ends up toward the bottom of the list when compared to Anna and Elsa\u2019s musical repertoire. It feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the film\u2019s songs, but I can\u2019t say too many negative things about \u201cIn Summer\u201d because it gave us an animated sequence of Olaf dancing in a top hat alongside a seagull wearing a matching top hat. And really, who doesn\u2019t love Olaf\u2019s sweet naivety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Fixer-Upper\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. \u201cFixer Upper\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFixer Upper\u201d is another well-intentioned song that feels somewhat out of place. It\u2019s a shame that Frozen<\/em> frontloads its runtime with most of its tracklist, as this definitely isn\u2019t the strongest song to end on. It\u2019s nice to see more of the relationship between Kristoff and his adoptive troll family, but the song feels like more of a diversion than a plot device. But perhaps we needed something to balance Anna\u2019s infatuation with Hans in \u201cLove Is an Open Door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"frozen-songs-Reindeers-Are-Better-Than-People\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. \u201cReindeer(s) Are Better Than People\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will be honest \u2013 I forgot this song was even part of the film, hence its lowly position on this list. Yes, it gives us good insight into Kristoff (he\u2019s a good-hearted goof, and I love him) but if I had to knock any one song off the Frozen tracklist, it would be this one. As Kristoff sings in the outtake \u201cReindeer(s) Remix\u201d (featured on the original Frozen Deluxe Edition Soundtrack): \u201cWhy didn\u2019t I get a real song?\u201d (Of course now we know it was to save his vocal chops for the sequel!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on this Frozen<\/em> song ranking? What are your all-time favorite songs from the original Frozen<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n","post_title":"Open Doors and Frozen Hearts: A Ranking of the Original Frozen Tracklist","post_excerpt":"A ranking of all the original songs from FROZEN. Does it match your list?","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"open-doors-and-frozen-hearts-a-ranking-of-the-original-frozen-tracklist","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-24 15:04:58","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-24 22:04:58","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=55072","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54868,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content":"
*This is a user-submitted post for Frozember by Christopher Fagan<\/a>*<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We were inspired by Disney\u2019s Frozen<\/strong><\/em> to the point of me finding new ways to celebrate its magic in many ways. One way was to watch the film and sing the songs with my children and by myself as often as I could. My daughter wears the pajamas, my sons dance with Olaf, and we all enjoy the variety of online parodies. As a variety streamer<\/a>, I\u2019ve created my own line of sketches based on the characters of the Frozen<\/em> franchise. My YouTube streaming partner Amanda Pierson and I had a moment when we were scheduled to stream one of our shows, and she had no time to change clothes and had to come to the studio wearing an Anna costume. Amanda\u2019s day job as an actress and entertainer for children\u2019s birthday parties led to a new opportunity that was too good to pass up.<\/div>\n

Princess Anna At The Movies<\/h4>\n
The original plan was to see a film and do a movie review, but this was too great to not build upon. The thing that made our movie-going experience more enjoyable was taking Amanda in full Anna-from- Arendelle mode to a brand-new AMC Theater. We decided to record the experience and turn it into a sketch and vlog to use on our channel. The idea was that Disney allowed Anna to be interviewed in the real world but was stuck here for 30 days until the portal to Arendelle could be reopened.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
There were many people who enjoyed the show we put on inside of the theater. Amanda played the part of Anna from beginning until the end. Adults wanted to take pictures with her, the staff applauded her commitment, and a little girl escaped from her parents in an attempt to follow Amanda around just to prove she was real. Amanda later took a few pictures with her, and the family caught up with us again after our movies both ended at the same time. The little girl, sounding vindicated, said to her parents \u201cYou see, I told you she was real. I told you she was in the restroom Daddy. You didn\u2019t believe me. I told you.\u201d This actually became the highlight of the our evening.<\/div>\n

The Sketch<\/a><\/h4>\n
After we came back to the studio to review the movie we saw, we expanded on the idea we had and did a reality-show type sketch where I played the interviewer who was now stuck with, and responsible for, Anna until she was ready to return to Arendelle in the magical world of Disney. As the sketch progressed, it turned out that keeping a Disney Princess in the \u201creal world\u201d too long would have strange effects on her. Anna became addicted to dancing to pop music and her iPhone. The idea was that she would become a hard-to-deal-with teen, and the longer she stayed, the tougher things would get.<\/div>\n

Feeling Frozen<\/h4>\n
Overall, the experience of working with people, getting to know them, and seeing their reactions to a Frozen<\/em> character, even when we all know it\u2019s just a person in cosplay, was fabulous as we tend to act a bit different. The impact that this movie and its characters had on the world is immeasurable. People want to be drawn in and become a part of the its world even if it is in a festival, a toy store, or even in the middle of summer at a movie theater with some random duo reviewing a film far from the genre Disney is even known for! And because of what the music and the story did to transform the industry, Frozen<\/em> has become a touchstone in the hearts and minds of millions. It\u2019s not just a song, a moving picture, or a parody; Frozen<\/em> has become the heartbeat for a generation and most likely will continue to touch us all for generations to come.<\/div>\n

How has Frozen<\/em> affected you, your friends, and family? Let us know in the comments!<\/h1>\n
Edited by: Kelly Conley<\/div>","post_title":"[FROZEMBER] Feeling the Love Of 'Frozen' in the World","post_excerpt":"Disney has managed to capture the imaginations of children and adults alike for many years. When the song \u201cLet It Go\u201d was released, it was apparent that what Disney had was something on the same level of level of \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d or \u201cCan You Feel The Love Tonight.\" The song was magic that tugged at the heart of almost anyone who heard it. It\u2019s a once-in-a-generation kind of soundtrack and film. When I took my children to see the first movie, it instantly set a new standard storytelling for them.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"frozember-feeling-the-love-of-frozen-in-the-world","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-22 15:52:05","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-22 22:52:05","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54868","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":54849,"post_author":"26","post_date":"2019-11-18 16:36:52","post_date_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:36:52","post_content":"

*This is a user-submitted post by Jordan Hashemi-Briskin*<\/em><\/p>\nIt\u2019s no secret that\u00a0T<\/i>he Little Mermaid<\/i><\/strong> is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated. Released during a time when morale at Walt Disney Pictures was beginning to recover from an all-time low, it signaled that the studio that made animation a legitimate art form was still a force to be reckoned with. And today, 30 years after its initial release, the film still rightfully stands as one of the brightest jewels in the Disney crown, with each new generation that discovers it falling under its spell.\n\nLike most people born in the 1990s, I grew up with The Little Mermaid;<\/i>\u00a0I watched the 1998 Masterpiece Collection VHS (featuring\u00a0a special intro by Jodi Benson<\/a>) more times than I can even count. But only after rediscovering the film on Platinum Edition DVD, about 5 or 6 years ago, has it since reclaimed a highly-treasured place in my heart, as I now appreciate the film better than I ever have before, especially after learning about its history. This said, I\u2019ve recently begun to wonder: Exactly what is the key to The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s allure? Compelling arguments can certainly be made for the vibrant and lovable characters, the beautiful animation and background art, and, of course, the incredible music (both songs and score), but I, for one, think that the greatest contributing factors are the story (and the themes addressed therein), and the sheer level of dedication displayed by the creative team.\n\n\"Related\n

\n\nAs far as I can tell,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i> boasted the most emotionally resonant story of any Disney Canon film of its day since at least The Fox and the Hound<\/i>. Ariel is filled with a burning passion for the world above the water, and so she longs to be a part of it; meanwhile, King Triton learns over the course of the movie that, as much as he loves his youngest daughter, he can\u2019t hold onto her forever\u2014sooner or later, she\u2019ll have to start a new life for herself. These central themes of growing up and letting go never fail to pack a powerful emotional punch; so affecting are they that, in a letter sent to Disney shortly after the film\u2019s release, a New Jersey State Trooper revealed that after seeing the film, he was inspired to repair his relationship with his own estranged daughter.\n\n<\/div>\n
\n\nLikewise, one can tell from looking at the finished movie that the filmmakers knew that they were onto something truly special, and that as the film took shape, it moved them as much as it would later move audiences. It just goes to show what can happen when a group of people pours their collective heart and soul into a project. Little wonder, then, that it is spoken of so fondly by everyone who was involved in production, best evidenced in the 2006 retrospective, \u201cTreasures Untold.\u201d\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/XdMMg6OSn1Q\n\nWhen all is said and done,\u00a0The Little Mermaid<\/i>\u2019s heart and emotional depth are the main reason why the film remains so beloved. It continues to engage and move viewers as much as it did for the people behind it, and will undoubtedly do so for many more generations to come. Long may it be \"part of our world.\"\n\n\"Related\n

When did you first see The Little Mermaid<\/em>? What's your favorite part about the film?<\/h1>\nEdited by: Kelly Conley\n\n<\/div>","post_title":"[OPINION] The Emotional Power of 'The Little Mermaid'","post_excerpt":"It\u2019s no secret that\u00a0The Little Mermaid is one of the most beloved films in the Disney canon, and the important place it holds in the history of the studio\u2014and the history of animation, in general\u2014cannot be overstated.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"opinion-the-emotional-power-of-the-little-mermaid","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-11-18 16:39:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-11-18 23:39:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.rotoscopers.com\/?p=54849","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_3o3","class":"jnews_block_5"};

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