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BATB Nitpicking and Over/Underrated Disney Podcasts

| Rachel's Reviews

I just thought I would share with you guys 2 podcasts I did today.

The first is a live stream I did going over in fine detail the new live action Beauty and the Beast. I know some people just like to go to their movies and have a great time and find this in-depth analysis obnoxious. If this is your case than this is not the podcast for you. However, if you find that kind of thing fun than you will probably enjoy it. For the record, I mildly recommend the film for the large musical sequences and the performance of Gaston by Luke Evans.

So if this is your thing than give it a watch. I’d love your feedback on what I found and what I may have missed (I only took 6 pages of notes!)

Then the second podcast I did was with my friend Conrado where we talked about our most over and underrated Disney Canon films. I have followed Conrado’s blog for years so it was so much fun to actually talk with him vocally on the podcast. We had a great time talking Disney so I think you will really enjoy it. Follow his blog at https://cocohitsny.wordpress.com/

You can also listen to both podcasts on my channel on the SoundCloud app

Please let me know what you think of both as I am continually trying to improve. Thanks!

Animation Pitch Session!

| Rachel's Reviews

So I just participated in a really fun podcast over on my youtube channel. My friend’s Josh and Mark joined me to do a pitch session for ideas for animated films and series. I got the idea after I was so depressed with the upcoming 2017 slate. So I decided the studios need better ideas and my friends and I could give them some!

The way the pitch session worked is there are 4 sessions. Each of us pitched an idea of why it would be good. Then we could ask questions to flesh out the ideas. Then at the end of the round we each must vote for an idea that is not our own. The idea with the most votes wins the round. Then we do the same thing for the final 4 ideas and a winning idea is selected!

I liked all of our ideas and would love to hear your feedback. Here are polls so you can vote on what you like

We really had a blast doing this so hopefully we will do it again soon. The beginning of the video google hangouts wasn’t switching off the way it should but hopefully you can listen to it just fine.

Anyway, let me know what you think!

Movie Monday: Underrated Disney Films

| Rachel's Reviews

There is a new series I am participating with other youtubers called Movie Monday! In this series we get topics and give 5 movies that fit that topic. This last Monday the topic was underrated films, so I decided to narrow the focus to Underrated Disney Films. I wanted to do 5 that most people haven’t heard of or are more obscure.

Here’s my list:

  1. Rocketeer- Charming superhero movie set in the 1930s with charismatic cast and a stand a lone story. This is refreshing to see in the days of the cinematic universes.
  2. Iron Will- a nice heart filled story about a boy who is trying to save his family farm and go to college enters a dog sled race in the great North. This is engaging and sweet with good performances and a nice inspirational ending.
  3. North Avenue Irregulars- very funny madcap comedy featuring some of the funniest ladies ever including Cloris Leachman and more.
  4. Pirate Fairy- I think all the Tinker Bell movies are underrated but this is my favorite one. It has the most links to the original Peter Pan which is fun and a nice story not centered on Tinker Bell. I like seeing the fairies loose their skills and having to figure out new skills. It’s just a lot of fun.
  5. John Carter- underrated space opera that has good battle scenes with a charismatic lead from Taylor Kitsch. I think people think because it was a box office bomb it must be a terrible movie but I don’t think this is terrible. In fact, I think it is a lot of fun!

So there are 5 underrated Disney films.  What do you think of them and what would be your 5?

Talking Summer Movies with Mark Hobin

| Rachel's Reviews

Yesterday I had the fun opportunity to talk the highs and lows of the summer movie season with my blogging friend Mark Hobin. Some we agreed on. Others we did not but it was always a fun conversation! Check out Mark’s blog at http://fastfilmreviews.com/

I only need 15 subscribers to get to 1000 on my youtube channel so if you aren’t subscribed please do. I think you will love the daily content I provide on the channel.

Talking Hunchback of Notre Dame

| Rachel's Reviews

Recently over on my youtube I posted my Disney canon review of Hunchback of Notre Dame. My friend Christine mentioned it is her favorite Disney movie so she agreed to join me and discuss the film. I thought it was a cool experience to see both sides of a polarizing movie without things getting mean like so often happens online (see it can be done folks!). I had a great time and think you guys will like this video. Check it out!

Star Trek 1-3 Podcasts

| Rachel's Reviews

Hey guys! I just wanted to share with you guys 3 videos from my youtube channel. You might remember last year I discussed the Star Wars movies with my friends Abby and Jeremy.  Well, this year I decided to tackle Star Trek and my Trekie friend Tom has been kind enough to join me.  We just finished the 3rd film today and I think you will enjoy them even if you haven’t seen the movies.

My overall thoughts of the first 3 are:

Star Trek: The Motion Picture- I admire its ambition but the birth metaphor and long tracking shots of the ship bored me. Very self-indulgent and the story just isn’t there. It’s trying to be 2001 without challenging you with ideas the way that film does.  Grade- D

Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan- A terrific sci-fi movie with horror elements and a formidable foe in Khan. The finale is heart wrenching and the movie builds tension well. I see why this is genuinely considered the best of the franchise. Grade- A

Star Trek 3: The Search for Spok- Solid entertaining entry that fleshes out the side characters a lot more. I really enjoyed getting to know Uhura and Sulu more and seeing their banter. Shatner is good in his more emotional scenes and the mystery around Spok works pretty well. It’s not as good as Khan but I enjoyed it even if it is a little forgettable. Grade B-

What do you think of the first 3 Star Trek movies? Let me know in the comments section and I’d love your feedback.  The first podcast is had some technical challenges but if you can get through that the content is quite good.

We are going to pack in 2 podcasts next week before I leave for Spain (I’m going to Spain if you didn’t know). And then when I get back we will finish up the original series and do the JJ Abrams reboot films before Star Trek: Beyond comes out.  We will then do Next Generation in August.

Anyway, thanks again!  I am also doing my His Picks/Her Picks with my friend AJ this Saturday and next Saturday will be talking Harry Potter with Abby, Jeremy and Richard.

Make sure you are following the channel to get all the fun! And if any of you have an idea for a podcast or discussion I’m totally game. Just let me know!

Health Update and Walt Disney Films Tag

| Rachel's Reviews

Hey guys! Just wanted to give you an update on my health and do a little tag. I just posted this week my 20th Disney Canon review on my youtube channel. This means I have finished the movies of Walt Disney’s lifetime. So I have come up with a little tag based on these 20 films.

I would love for any of you to give your answers. Put it in a post or just put in the comments section.

1. Favorite Fantasia short?
2. Favorite Disney short? (if seen Wartime films pick one of them if not another fav)
3. Lady Tremain/Cruella/Maleficent or Evil Queen better she villain?
4. Disney film you loved as child that doesn’t hold up well?
5. Disney film you didn’t love as a child but like as adult?
6. Cinderella, Aurora or Snow White?
7. Favorite Alice in Wonderland character?
8. What do you prefer Dumbo or Bambi?
9. Rank live action remakes- 101, Alice, Jungle Book, Maleficent, Cinderella
10. 101 Dalmatians, Aristocats, or Lady and the Tramp?
11. Of all the shorts which do you think would make the best feature film?
12. Favorite and Least favorite of first 20 Disney films?
13. Thoughts on Walt Disney?
14. Out of first 20 reviews what film have you not seen that you want to see? Or what review did you learn something new/see it in a new way?
15. Coachman/Stromboli/Monstro/Honest Fox- best Pinocchio villain?

Thank you for all the kind words and prayers in my behalf.It has been one of the worst illnesses of my life, but I am on the other side of it and improving. I am so grateful for all the support from all of you and the incredible kindness of my boss and coworkers.I am allowed to recover and get better. Hopefully it will keep improving through the weekend.
I hope you all have good health and avoid this nasty bronchitis that I got. Sure love ya!

Star Wars Tag

| Rachel's Reviews

Just wanted to quickly share this with you guys.  I did a big Star Wars tag made by my friend The Lawn Gnome. Would love to hear your answers to the questions!

1.How many of the Star Wars films have you seen in theaters so far?
2.What action sequence in any of the films is your favorite?
3.Given a chance to own a droid in the real world what kind would you like?
4.Which score piece do you feel fits the scene perfectly?
5.Which Star Wars actor role outside of the Star Wars do you like the most?
6.Which expended Universe Character (Cannon or Non Cannon) do you wish to see on the big screen?
7.If you could re-cast one character in the films who would you replace with him or her?
8.Which character do you feel left us too soon?
9.What is your honest opinion of the Family Guy Blue Harvest Trilogy?
10.What is your favorite alien species and why?
11.Which planet in the entire Star Wars galaxy would you want to live on?
12.Do you feel that the Star Wars/Star Trek rivalry serves a purpose today?
1.How did you discover Star Wars?
2.What was the first Star Wars film you saw in theaters?
3.Who is your favorite Star Wars Character/Actor?
4.What is your favorite light saber battle?
5.What is your favorite instalment of the Star Wars Score?
6.What is your most hated character?
7.What is your favorite chapter in the Star Wars Expanded Universe?
8.Do you own anything Star Wars outside of the films and what is your favorite?
9.Have you ever dressed up as a Star Wars character and who was it?
10.What is your favorite quote from the films?
11.What is your favorite Star Wars reference in pop culture?
12.Who would you love to see appear in the brand new Star Wars trilogy?

Captain America: Civil War and Ranking MCU

| Rachel's Reviews

Hey guys! I just wanted to share my Captain America: Civil War review I posted to youtube tonight. I will write up a more in depth review after I get to see it again. I was super entertained by the film.

I also did a really fun podcast style video with my friend Matthew where we ranked the MCU films. This is long, 2 hours, but if you are looking for something while doing work or driving I think you’ll enjoy it.