Tag: Walt Disney

Show Review: ‘Fantasia’ Live with the San Francisco Symphony

'Fantasia' live with the SF Symphony
‘Fantasia’ live with the SF Symphony

There are few films that have better captured the bond between film and music more than Fantasia (1940).  This visionary masterpiece of animation had a profound effect on the evolution of music videos and has helped introduce classical music to generations of children.  Fantasia 2000, though not as highly regarded as its predecessor, has also aided in these cultural purposes.  Yesterday night and again tonight, the San Francisco Symphony welcomes in audiences to experience the magic of both these films, reminding us of the emotional storytelling power of classical music and the wide spectrum of beauty and characters that animation can provide.

Continue reading “Show Review: ‘Fantasia’ Live with the San Francisco Symphony”

Film Review: Saving Mr. Banks

Mrs. Travers goes to Los Angeles: It’s Mickey vs. Mary in well crafted, absorbing film

Genial Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) has to deal with the prickly P.T. Travers (Emma Thompson) in Saving Mr. Banks.
P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) is decidedly unamused by Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) and Disneyland.

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical going into Saving Mr. Banks, the new film from Disney Pictures and director John Lee Hancock, the writer and director of 2011’s feel-good The Blind Side. I was afraid this film might be too treacly and sentimental, and be nothing more than a glorification of Walt Disney and the Disney canon, in much the same way The Internship glorified Google. But my fears were allayed when I found myself utterly engrossed and thoroughly entertained by Hancock’s picture, which features a compelling narrative, complex characters, and excellent performances. Continue reading “Film Review: Saving Mr. Banks”