Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Movie Review: Fantasia 2000

Movie Review: Fantasia 2000                                                                                               6-21-16
Fantasia 2000 Poster
Fantasia 2000 was either the last movie of the 20th Century or the first movie of the 21st Century. Like the original Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 comprises of eight segments set to classical music. However, instead of Deans Taylor hosting the live-action intervals, they were hosted by a multitude of celebrities, including Steve Martin, James Earl Jones, Penn and Teller, and Bette Midler. Also, instead of Leopold Stokowski conducting, because of his death in 1977, the music was conducted by James Levine. The segments in Fantasia 2000 include:
•Symphony #3, In which a board of Technicolor triangles fly away from ferocious black triangles.
Image result for Fantasia 2000- Symphony No. 3
•Pines of Rome, which featured humpback whales flying over arctic waters. The whales were done in CGI, and this scene is reportedly influenced by Hayao Miyazaki.
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- Pines of Rome
•Rhapsody in Blue, influenced heavily by cartoonist Al Hirchsfeld. This segment takes place during the 1930s and focuses on a variety of characters. They are drawn in a loose style, the animation quality almost resembling a Saturday Morning Cartoon.
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- Rhapsody in Blue
•Piano Concerto #2, Allegro, Opus 102, based on Hans Christian Andrrson's The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Like Pines of Rome, hand-drawn animation is blended with computer animation beautifully.
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- The Steadfast Tin Soldier
•Carnival of the Animals, which answers an age-old question: What would happen if you gave a yo-yo to a flock of flamingos? This is the shortest segment in the whole movie, with a running time of 90 seconds.
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- Carnival of the Animals
•The Sorcerer's Apprentice: This classic segment returns digitally remastered and even has the same music. What makes this segment magical is that Mickey shakes hands with both Stokowski and Levine, bridging the generations.
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- Mickey shakes hands with Leopold Stokowski and James Levine
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- Mickey shakes hands with Leopold Stokowski and James Levine
•Pomp and Circumstance: A reenactment of Noah's Ark starring everyone's favorite short-tempered waterfowl, Donald Duck. While the segment is enjoyable and funny, as you'd expect from Donald, I don't think the music 'Pomp and Circumstance' (the music that plays during graduation ceremonies) fits this segment.
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- Pomp and Circumstance
•The Firebird Suite, the final segment of the film. This segment stars The Spring Sprite, who I think is the most beautiful Disney character of all time. I think she's even more beautiful than Rapunzel, my favorite Disney princess!
 Image result for Fantasia 2000- The Spring Sprite
Anyway, the Spring Sprite has the ability to make plants grow in just about any place. Well, almost anywhere. Her enemy is a flaming kestrel born from a volcano. The bird burns down the entire forest and disappears, leaving the Sprite in despair. However, the Sprite's tears sprouted new trees, and encourages her to regrow the entire forest. However, by the time the forest is completely regrown, nothing is left of the Sprite but particles of her tremendous power.
In conclusion, Fantasia 2000 is for the most part enjoyable, but the only segment that truly feels like the original Fantasia is The Firebird Suite. However, it should be noted that this was the final animated feature to be released during the lifetime of the legendary Charles Schulz, who passed away shortly after the film's premiere.
Rating: 3 and a half stars out of 5.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

The Shinx Who Would Be King Chapter 18

Kimba saw Kizuato flee up to the higher point of the rock and chased him to a dead end.
"Murderer." Said Kimba angrily.
"Kimba, Kimba, please." Kizuato pleaded.
"You don't deserve to live." Said Kimba.
"But Kimba, I am family." Said Kizuato. "It's the Growlithe, who are the real enemy! It was their idea." This made Yabani, Akuto, and Oroka angry.
"Why should I believe you?" Kimba asked. "Everything you ever told me was a lie."
"What are you going to do to me?" Kizuato asked. "You wouldn't kill your own uncle."
"No Kizuato, I'm not like you." Replied Kimba.
"Oh, Kimba, thank you." Said Kizuato. "You're truly noble. I'll make it up to you, I promise. How can I help?"
"Run." Said Kimba. "Run away, Kizuato. And never return."
"Yes, of course." Said Kizuato casually. "As you wish, your majesty!" He threw embers into Kimba's face and they engaged in an epic but short fight. Before Kizuato was ready to do the final blow, Kimba lifted his legs and threw the Persian off the cliff. Kizuato then saw Yabani, Akuto, and Oroka.
"Oh, my friends." He said.
"Friends?" Said Yabani. "I thought he said we were the enemy."
"That's what I heard." Responded Akuto. "Oroka?"
Oroka just laughed maliciously. Kizuato tried to tell them the truth, but the Growlithe bit through his flesh.
After the battle for Pride Rock was won, it started to rain. It didn't hurt Baka-sha that much, since he was used to wallowing in the mud. Kimba walked down and nudged Messua and Gifuto affectionately. Yujin shook his stick to remind Kimba about his duty.
"It is time." The monkey said. Kimba slowly walked up to the high point of Pride Rock and gave a loud roar. A roar that could be heard all through Unova. In a matter of time, the flora and fauna returned to the Pride lands, and Kimba and Gifuto had a baby Shinx. At the ceremony, Kyatto was on top of Baka-sha cheering for their feline friend. Yujin held the baby up high, just like how he did with Kimba.
The End
Author's Notes: The good new is another story is done. The bad news is there will be no new stories until August. Instead, next month, I plan on doing the ultimate showdown: Nickelodeon vs. Cartoon Network. I will compare 10 Nicktoons to 10 Cartoon Network shows. Here's how it will work.
Battle 1 (July 5th to July 8th): The PowerPuff Girls (THE ORIGINAL) vs. The Rugrats
Battle 2 (July 9th): Cow & Chicken vs. The Ren and Stimpy Show
Battle 3 (July 10th): The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy vs. Invader ZIM
Battle 4 (July 11th): Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends vs. The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Battle 5 (July 12th): Camp Lazlo vs. Harvey Beaks
Battle 6 (July 13th): My Gym Partner's a Monkey vs. Catscratch
Battle 7 (July 14th): Chowder vs. SpongeBob SqarePants
Battle 8 (July 15th to July 18th) : Steven Universe vs. Hey Arnold!
Battle 9 (July 19 to July 22nd): Over the Garden Wall vs. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Battle 10 (July 23rd to July 26th): We Bare Bears vs. The Loud House
In this showdown, I will compare and contrast two shows of two different networks per battle, give details on each show, and determine which one is better. For battles 1, 8, 9, and 10, however, you have to decide for yourself. I will give each of you up to three days to vote. If you're unfamiliar with one of these shows, don't worry! I will explain each show and even show a picture.
The showdown begins July 5th.