Despicable Me

Length: 96 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Gru is an incredibly original character. His development seems realistic and you feel like he truly grows.

But is it art? It is certainly stylized enough. But this one lacks in the prettiness department, and stumbles a bit in the story. However, the main characters and the comedy are spot on.

Major Flaws: The villain is sort of lame... and Gru's mother is SUPER horrible. I always feel like telling her off!

Demetrius and the Gladiators

Length:  101 Minutes

I've seen this one. Sort of... but I'm not sure which one is which. See The Robe.

Is it loyal to the book? I don't know.

Best character: ?

But is it art? Another BDEM! These BDEMs are creeping up!

Major Flaws: Very similar to another movie and they are hard to separate when you are on exceptionally good pneumonia medication.

The Cosby Show Seasons 2 and 3

Length: 22 Minute Episodes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No Book

Best character: Heathcliff Huxtable, played by the incomparable Bill Cosby.

But is it art? As family comedies go this is certainly the high-water mark. The Huxtables are many favorite TV family ever.

Major Flaws: Nothing comes to mind.

DarkWing Duck

Length: 22 Minute Episodes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book. (Spinoff of DuckTales.)

Best character: DarkWing Duck is, without a doubt, one of the most hilarious characters in Saturday morning history. He both IS a hero and is a spoof of everything a hero is.

But is it art? Better than modern cartoons... but definitely not high art.

Major Flaws: I hate, hate, hate, hate... okay, strongly dislike Goslyn.

Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers

Length:  22 Minute Episodes

I've seen this one. (MANY times.)

Is it loyal to the book? No books.

Best character: Chip. But everyone else is pretty great as well.

But is it art? I won't even dignify that with a response.

Major Flaws: Come along, you belong, feel the fizz of Cooku Cola!

Cheaper By the Dozen

Length: 85 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Haven't read the book.

Best character: Frank Gilbreth

But is it art? This one is far superior to the new film in my opinion. It manages to strike all the right notes and pull at your emotions, plus the family feels more genuine to me... not just a bunch of funny stereotypes thrown together.

Major Flaws: Sometimes the color seems a little off... like when you look at an old photograph and can immediately guess what decade it was taken in. (Does thicker atmosphere affect colors every 15 years or so?) It is very distracting the first fifteen or twenty minutes of the film.

Celtic Woman: A New Journey

Length: 80 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book, this is a concert.

Best character: Girl with the violin.

But is it art? Yup, music is an art.

Major Flaws: I suppose it is possible you don't go for this kind of music...

Cars 2

Length: 106 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Spy car whose name escapes me...

But is it art? Backgrounds. This film has gorgeous backgrounds. But the story isn't the strongest the world has ever seen... though it isn't that shabby either.

Major Flaws: Sometimes it tries just too hard for the joke. When it falls, it plummets. (Conversely, when it nails it, it soars.)

The Buttercream Gang

Length: 95 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book, that I'm aware of.

Best character: Errrrrr....

But is it art? Ahhhh....

Major Flaws: Well you see, I don't remember much of it.

Brother Bear

Length: 85 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Kenai

But is it art? Yes, particularly the beginning, before the forced perspective shift. But the other parts (particularly during songs are good too). Watch the above video for what I am convinced is in the top ten cinematic moments of all time.

Major Flaws: Sometimes Koda is a bit too cutesy, but oh well.

Brave

Length: 93 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: I'm supposed to say the strong-willed Merida... but I keep remembering this:

But is it art? The animation... sometimes Pixar is TOO good, it looks like they just set up a camera and filmed a lot of their backgrounds. They are mastering the art of imitating life. Also, one of my top five scariest movie bears appears in this film.

Major Flaws: A lot of this film feels like a.) rehashing and b.) marketing. Like Pixar gave us a movie about a girl not getting married... by making the movie about NOT GETTING MARRIED. I liked the first fifteen minutes or so best, when it was just her lessons clashing with adventuring. Pretty sure a good story could have been built there.

Borrowed Hearts

Length: 91 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book, that I'm aware of.

Best character: Big Business Angel Man Who Is Apparently Taking a Break From Being A Royal Bodyguard.

But is it art? Here Budget, budget, budget... where are you?

Major Flaws: Take smarm, add Christmas. Mix thouroghly with unwavering cute child. Serve warm.(Check blood sugar levels after injesting.)

BUT I STILL LIKE IT OKAY?!?!?!

Blinky Bill The Complete Series

Length: 22 Minute Episodes... or as my dad would say, "Too long."

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No. Maybe the first episode... no, probably not.

Best character: I guess Blinky Bill, although my dad is of the opinion that his voice could cut through reinforced steel doors...

But is it art? I haven't got much to compare it with, being relatively unfamiliar with Australian animation, but it is quite cartoonish by my usual standards.

Major Flaws: I don't like that I have three discs worth of Blinky Bill and only get the theme song ONE TIME. C'mon Australia, the theme song is the only thing that brought me back to Blinky Bill.

The Bible... in the Beginning

Length: 94 Minutes

I've seen this one, with my parents, and I don't remember a thing.

Is it loyal to the book? Slightly abridged. Plus the entire bit with Jonah's Ark was overplayed. This is a purposeful mistake.

Best character: Thank the man upstairs.

But is it art? It has all the qualities required of a BDEM.

Major Flaws: ?

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Length: 124 Minutes

I've never seen this one... and honestly haven't got the foggiest idea what it is about.

Is it loyal to the book? No book, that I'm aware of.

Best character: ?

But is it art? I dunno.

Major Flaws: ?

The Best Bad Thing

I've got nothing for ya. Have a link.

Length: 89 Minutes

I've never seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Don't know,haven't read it.

Best character: ?

But is it art? Yet another off the beaten path selection.

Major Flaws: ?

Ben Wagner

Length: 93 Minutes

I've not seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? Don't know.

Best character: ?

But is it art? This is another of my off the beaten path selections, so don't expect to be wowed by spectacular budget.

Major Flaws: ?

Benji the Hunted

Length: 89 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Ummmm. Benji? Let me be honest, there aren't really characters in this film in the traditional sense.

But is it art? Not really what I would call a great example of the art of film... but still enjoyable.

Major Flaws: You have to actually watch to know what is happening because this is one of those rare Disney animal films without narration. Is it worth it though? YES.

Behind the Waterfall

Length: 94 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book, that I'm aware of.

Best character: Old Man Connor, the fact that he is played by Radar from MASH is icing on the cake.

But is it art? Another of my many movies made with a heap of money, I mean love and dedication. But I grew up with this film and you cannot change my fondness for it.

Major Flaws: This may occasionally err on the side of being too simplistic but there is an incredible message in there.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Length: 140 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I haven't read this one, I'll get on it.

Best character: Ms Eglantine Price rocks. She is and always will be the pinnacle of Angela Lansbury's roles. Also, my cat Cosmic Creepers was named by her.

But is it art? The animated sequences are pretty sappy, but very similar to Mary Poppins. (This film is often called the ugly stepsister of Mary Poppins, but I prefer it.) The live action stuff is kind of dark and grimey, but appropriately so. And the special effects aren't too shabby considering how old this film is.

Major Flaws: The edition I have has the extended scenes put back in, most are no problem at all but the delightful Portobello Road song has been extended to a dance sequence that might just be longer than the monarchy of Luis Filipe of Portugal. (Look that up.)

Beauty and the Beast

Length: 92 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? There are several versions, and some of them are not so pleasant. At least this one has talking furniture.

Best character: So many good characters... but the trio of servants found in Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, and Cogsworth is the bomb-diggity.

But is it art? If you seriously need to ask that question go sit in the corner and think about your life. Disney had pretty much mastered their art at this point and nearly everything is perfect. If you need convincing watch the ballroom dance scene (where Disney showed mastery over their CAPs program, I shelled out the money to see the movie in theatres during its 3D release JUST to see this part) over the transformation scene, which Glen Keane described as the best work he'd ever done.

Major Flaws: The plot hole that you can drive a semi through... sideways... in a dense fog... while the semi is on fire.

Bambi II

Length: 73 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No? The book Bambi does have a sequel (which this doesn't even pretend to be). But the original Bambi didn't follow the book and this follows the movie... got it?

Best character: The Great Prince (how's that for a name?) went from mysterious background figure to... well, mysterious foreground figure. But he feels a lot more genuine.

But is it art? The animation is pretty, and you can tell they definitely studied the original film, however this one comes off a little more cartoony than its predecessor.

Major Flaws: I'm not sure this film was really needed. Plus the climax has absolutely zero payoff if you've seen the original, because this isn't really a sequel, it is an in-the-middle-of-the-original-movie-quel. 

Australia

Length: 165 Minutes

I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: ...must say I'm a little biased towards any Hugh Jackman character.

But is it art? EPIC in the truest sense, it tries to recapture the feel of old Hollywood epics and succeeds spectacularly. I am of the opinion that this film needs the biggest screen you can find to properly enjoy.

Major Flaws: The first twenty minutes are necessary plot development the first time you see it. But I skip them after that. Also the first viewing will make you think that you've reached the ending a few times before you actually do.

The Aristocats

Length: 79 Minutes

Yes, I have seen it.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: Abraham D'Lacey Giuseppe Tucacy Thomas O'Malley the Alley Cat

But is it art? Another of the sketchy movies that I love. You can see the art, it is oozing out of the film.

Major Flaws: The plot isn't as strong as most of the previous Disney films had been. The studio was suffering from a serious case of "How can we go on without Walt?"

Annie Get Your Gun

Length: 107 Minutes

I have definitely seen this film. I had a high school love affair with this film. I think that the library probably believed I owned the film and simply let it spend the night every three weeks.

Is it loyal to the book? No book. But history... ahem. Oh boy, this seemed like a love story until I researched the living daylights out of Annie Oakley. The Frank in this film is a total jerk compared to the real Frank, who is one of my top ten romantic historic gentlemen.

Best character: Not Frank. Though I do love me some Howard Keel. Annie comes off as just a little too much of a 'hick'. Well shoot. I might need to rewatch.

But is it art? Yes. A musical masterpiece to be sure, and it approaches BDEM territory.

Major Flaws: The romance mentioned above. 

Bartok the Magnificent

Length: 68 Minutes

I've seen this more times than is probably advisable.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: All the characters are equally corny and none can be loved for being so-bad-they're-good more than any other.

But is it art? Um... not per se. I'm sure that someone out there worked very hard on this film but... it is one of those movies that you likely need to love as a child first.

Major Flaws: If Anastasia could be corny, then Bartok could be Iowa.

Anastasia

Length: 94 Minutes

Yes, I've seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No technical book. I guess you could call a fantasy reworking of historical events...

Best character: Some of the best character development is done by Dmitry. 

But is it art? Not quite Disney, and definitely not Bluth's best... but still a decent piece of work with a couple of knockout scenes, (Once Upon a December).

Major Flaws: It can be a tiny bit corny. Bluth was copying the Disney formula at this point, but it was lacking in the ever important 'Disney magic'.

Alan and Naomi

Length: 87 Minutes

I've never seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? I haven't read the book either.

Best character: ?

But is it art? ?

Major Flaws: ?

Aladdin

Length: 90 Minutes

I've seen this one a great many times.

Is it loyal to the book? Hahahahaha. Disney-fication is in full swing here, but in a good way. Not that the source material was particularily dark, but... I just happen to like big, overblown, Broadway style movies, okay?

Best character: I had a child crush on the adventurous and dashing Aladdin. 

But is it art? Yes. A thousand times yes. The movie is full of jaw dropping art, and the stylized environment is perfect. The details make this film, the details I say!

Major Flaws: So... the Disney animators just got their hands on their fancy CAPs program (for computer animation) used spectacularily in The Rescuers Down Under and Beauty and the Beast. Here, not so much. The carpet ride through the Cave of Wonders feels more like an amusement park attraction than a part of the film (get on that Disneyworld!).

If you want to hear me talk endlessly about the background of a film, this would be a good choice.

Akeelah and the Bee

Length: 112 Minutes

I've never seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? No book.

Best character: ?

But is it art? ?

Major Flaws: ?

Have a link.

The Agony and the Ecstacy

Length: 138 Minutes

I've never seen this one.

Is it loyal to the book? There is a book, but I haven't read it.

Best character: ?

But is it art? Certainly looks like a BDEM.

Major Flaws: ?

Have a link.

Address Unknown

Is there sound? Only time will tell...

Length: 88 Minutes

Yes, I've seen it. A few years back though.

Is it loyal to the book? To my knowledge there is no book.

Best character: Both of the lead kids are great in their roles.

But is it art? Definitely not a film I'd put in my top twenty. Has the feel of made for TV quite often.

Major Flaws: Story is totally written with kids in mind. It is good, but fairly easy to see through.

101 Dalmatians

Length: 79 Minutes

Yes, I've seen it. (Haven't you?)

Is it loyal to the book? Varying degrees of loyalty much closer than a usual Disney production for a couple of reasons: subject material not nearly as dark and Dodie Smith had many, many, many conversations with Walt about the production of the film. There are a few notable changes, but none that really affect the plot in a horrid manner.

Best character: Either the totally insane Cruella DeVille or the doting parents Pongo and Perdita.

But is it art? Quite a few people are put off by the 'sketchiness' of this film. I personally love it, this entire generation of Disney films is sketchy due to the Xeroxing process used. It is like watching a finished film and a work in progress film all at once!

Major Flaws: If a flaw must be found it is in the removal of a couple characters. But if you haven't read the books then I don't know what to cite (outside of the aformentioned art style).