The movie that scarred us all...

Okay...they are over. Let's leave the Oscars behind.

I wanted to talk a little about some animated movies. This week and last saw the release of two great cartoons on DVD. One a classic that everyone has probably seen and one barely any of you will have seen.

First, the movie that's scarred generation after generation: "Bambi." The film is beautiful. Close your eyes: think of the forest after the snow falls, think of Flower popping up in the meadow among the colored blossoms and think of how lush that meadow - the dreaded meadow - looks. Sigh... would that all animated movies had such a strong artistic vision. (I haven't seen "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" but I'm guessing you won't be closing your eyes afterwards to conjure up any scenes.)

But the best thing in the movie is that ultimate sidekick, Thumper. What a force of life in that little bunny! All other Disney sidekicks, except for maybe Timon and Pumbaa, are shallow imitations of the teacher-buddy-imp-child that is Thumper. Thumper is the best!

I don't think there needs to be a moral lesson in films for kids, although maybe I feel that way because most of the time they are incompetently and inorganically slapped into the story line. In "The Emperor's New Groove" the kids learn to VALUE FRIENDSHIP. And in "Shark Tale" we learn LYING IS BAD. "Bambi" is not about teaching simplistic moral lessons, it's about teaching the gigantic lessons; kid, your parents will die and one day you will die. Now there's a powerful message that will last the ages. Let's hear it for "Bambi."

And now onto the man many film fans consider the anti-Disney (although his films are distributed by the Mouse here in the U.S.): Hayao Miyazaki. You may know his "Princess Mononoke," "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro." Some of his older titles came out last week, including the indescribable "Porco Rosso." Unlike those other Miyazaki films, there are no little kids acting as heroes in this one, instead our hero is a post-World War One pilot was who at some point was turned into a pig. He lives for himself, working as a bounty hunter and air pirate. I don't know if kids would like the movie, but adults will. It's refreshing to see such an original and quirky vision. The plot is a little thin and meandering, but that's not important; it's the world of air pirates and the gruff pig-man that really makes the movie.

What makes you crazy about kids' movies? Do you think we make kids' films too tame? Do you hate the good against evil world that Disney would have us believe exists? Or do you want one, just one, movie for kids made without a fart in it?

I'll tell you what I'd really like: for these Japanese animation geniuses to make one, just one, film *without* a post-World War One pilot who gets turned into a pig, works as a bounty hunter and air pirate, and lives for himself. Seriously, please, just one. We've all seen it a hundred times, and it's time for a new wrinkle. I'd love to see Miyazaki finally do that snake hunter film he was talking about for years before he got carried away by that whole pilot/pig/bounty hunter/air pirate obsession.

What I'd like to know is who says Stephanie Curtis has anything to say about the movies that my Aunt Helga or the anonymous guy walking down Snelling Avenue haven't already said? So she likes movies. Big deal. Who cares? Why do you waste an hour with Gary Eichten treating her like she's got anything important to say about the movies or anything else? I mean, I'm sure she has things to contribute to any personal conversation among her friends or colleagues, but that doesn't mean you should put her on the radio, or devote some of your bandwidth to what she has to say. I hate how commercial media make "personalities" out of their staff, and that's just what MPR is doing with Stephanie Curtis (and others). It's offensive. How about some journalism?

What does Lying Rush Limbaugh have to do with this discussion?

This is not somebody's blog. It's the "Your Voice" section of MPR's website. And I don't think I attacked her anyway. They asked for comments; I offered some. And I DO "turn the dial" when she is on.

Be sure to send your feedback to mail@mpr.org or use the Around MPR forum, but please use this space to reply to Stephanie's questions or talk about movies for the benefit of all other readers.

-Julia
Julia Schrenkler
MPR Interactive Producer

Stephanie Curtis is just too modest to plaster her credentials all over the air (or web page). But she's incredibly knowledgeable about movies. She has years of involvement with the Oak Street Cinema, and she's seen it all. Sure, she has no more "right" to talk about movies on the air than you do -- but I'm glad they found someone well-informed and engaging to do it, as opposed to some churlish Anyman who resents everybody who gets more attention than he does.

I can't believe the comment by Rucket, that's just a poor blanket statement about anime. I don't see that many anime and I know that there are many other stories in movies and tv that have no airplanes at all. Many of Miyazaki's other films might have airplanes in them but that's not what the stories are about. I do know that Miyazaki's got a thing for planes and flying, so what. There is flying but no airplanes in My Neighbor Totoro and you could not find a more wonderful film, anywhere.

I think there is a difference between “children’s films,” and “films children can watch.” I would blame the former for much of the dreck pushed into theatres and onto stores shelves these days. I don’t think “Children’s films” are marketed to children, I think they’re marketed to parents. If a parent knows that a film is operating on a level at which flatulence can be a plot point, they don’t have to loose any sleep about whether or not their child will be exposed to ideas or actions that they might object to. The lesser of two evils, or the lesser of two farts in this case.

Disney’s problem is not that they adhere strictly to the idea of good vs. evil. Most stories (mythologies), in most cultures involve this simple dichotomy, and even films we enjoy with morally ambiguous characters rely on the good vs. evil convention to react against. Could (Frank Miller’s) Batman have come before Superman?* Clint Eastwood before Gary Cooper?

Disney’s problem is that they are actively trying to create films to cater to a demographic. The results prove to be less than spectacular because you can’t really define what a “children’s film” is. They are following trends, not making films, and if farts sell tickets then farts it will be.** Celebrity voices are popular? Get Carrot Top’s agent on the phone. Computer animation is the next big thing? Well then why are we paying all these people to sit around and doodle all day?!?

This leads to the easy comparison. Pixar. Pixar is not making “children’s films.” Pixar, like Miyazaki, is making films, that happen to be animated, that are appropriate for children. The same thing used to be said about Disney. Pixar will continue to rule the Universe as long as they concern themselves with making great films, not scheming how to have a bigger opening weekend gross than the latest movie featuring a man dressed up as a foul-mouthed old lady.

If Pixar prospers and continues making the same caliber of films that it has to date, (without taking a turn for the Disney) there is hope for us all, because this would mean that there is an audience out there that is looking for, and values, well told stories. And who expects Hollywood to give us more than just gas.

*MPR is not liable for the Pandora’s Box I’m opening with this statement.

**Better illustrated by a wiser person here: http://www.theonionavclub.com/feature/index.php?issue=4044&f=1