Deconstructing Disney

Episode SummaryFamily superhero saga, The Incredibles (2004), was another smash hit for Pixar. Although fun to watch, the focus on a middle aged male protagonist leads Erin and Rachel to ask once again, who is this movie really for?Episode BibliographyAl-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender hegemony and flows of masculinities in Pixar animated films. Boyhood Studies, 13(1), 43-63. doi: 10.3167/bhs.2020.130104Barrier, M. (2005, February 27). Brad Bird. Michael Barrier. http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Interviews/Bird/Bird_Interview.htmBird, B. (Director). (2004). The Incredibles [Film]. Pixar Animation Studios. D, S. (2004, November 4). Michael Giacchino Interview. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/04/michael-giacchino-interviewDesowitz, B. (2004, November 5). Brad Bird & Pixar Tackle CG Humans Like True Superheroes. Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/animationworld/brad-bird-pixar-tackle-cg-humans-true-superheroesDVDXtras. (2024, February 7). The Incredibles (2004) | Behind the Scenes + Deleted Scenes. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimbuPBVrvYEbert, R. (2004, November 4). The Incredibles movie review & film summary (2004). Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-incredibles-2004Edelstein, D. (2004, November 4). Reality Bytes. The Incredible Incredibles. https://slate.com/culture/2004/11/the-incredible-incredibles.htmlGillam, K., & Wooden, S. R. (2008). Post-princess models of gender: The new man in Disney/Pixar. Journal of Popular Film and Television, 36(1), 2-8. doi:  10.3200/JPFT.36.1.2-8Hill, J. (2023, June 28). That Little Old Lady Bears an "Incredibles" Resemblance to ... Jim Hill Media. https://jimhillmedia.com/that-little-old-lady-bears-an-incredibles-resemblance-to/The Incredibles. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0317705/The Incredibles. (2005). Entertainment Magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20170617231818/http://www.emol.org/film/archives/incredibles/index.htmlLee, M. J. (2004, October 17). Brad Bird, The Incredibles. RadioFree. https://movies.radiofree.com/interviews/theincre_brad_bird.shtmlMacaluso, M. (2018). Postfeminist masculinity: The new Disney norm?. Social Sciences, 7, 221-231. doi: 10.3390/socsci7110221McCarthy, T. (2004, October 31). The Incredibles. Variety. https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/the-incredibles-3-1200529884/Michael Giacchino. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_GiacchinoMiller, G. E. (2018, June 14). 'Incredibles' Edna Mode is based on these fashion mavens. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2018/06/14/incredibles-edna-mode-is-based-on-these-fashion-mavens/Moriarity. (2004, November 5). AICN Animation Double-Header! Moriarty Interviews Brad Bird!! Ain't It Cool News. https://web.archive.org/web/20140415053240/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/18753Ocwieja, J. (2015, June 10). Exceptionalism and “The Incredibles” | by Jeff Ocwieja. Medium. https://medium.com/@jeffocwieja/exceptionalism-and-the-incredibles-3b0764f4de07Otto, J. (2004, November 4). Interview: Brad Bird. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/05/interview-brad-birdPatrizio, A. (2005, March 9). An Interview with Brad Bird. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/10/an-interview-with-brad-birdPrice, D. A. (2009). The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.Rao, H., Sutton, R., & Webb, A. P. (2008, April 1). Innovation lessons from Pixar: An interview with Oscar-winning director Brad Bird. McKinsey. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/innovation-lessons-from-pixar-an-interview-with-oscar-winning-director-brad-birdRouner, J. (2014, June 23). 5 Ways The Incredibles Is Ayn Randian Propaganda. HoustonPress. https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/5-ways-the-incredibles-is-ayn-randian-propaganda-6364574Sonnack, M. (2021, December 19). The Incredibles' Rejected Villain Xerek, Explained. CBR. https://www.cbr.com/xerek-incredibles-rejected-villain-explained/Travers, P. (2004, November 3). The Incredibles. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/the-incredibles-255640/Winter, J. (2004, October 26). Full Metal Racket. The Village Voice. https://web.archive.org/web/20110604015209/https://www.villagevoice.com/2004-10-26/film/full-metal-racket/Wooden, S.R., & Gillam, K. (2014). Pixar’s boy stories: Masculinity in a postmodern age. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel venture to the Old West to discuss the oft forgotten 2004 flop Home on the Range. The convoluted plot, juvenile humor, and unsympathetic characters make for a frustrating viewing experience. Most critics and audience members seem to agree this movie would be best put out to pasture. Episode Bibliography#26. A Conversation with John Sanford. (n.d.). Fülle Circle Magazine. https://www.fullecirclemagazine.com/2008/12/conversation-with-john-sanford.htmlDudley, S. (2018, July 6). Trailblazers: The Making of Home on the Range (2004). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h7Bc6YjzD8Ebert, R. (2004, April 2). Home on the Range movie review (2004). Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/home-on-the-range-2004Finn, W., & Sanford, J. (Directors). (2004). Home on the Range [Film]. Walt Disney Pictures.Home on the Range. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3411641857/Home on the Range. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299172/?ref_=ttfc_fc_ttHome on the Range (2004 film). (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_on_the_Range_(2004_film)#AccoladesLibrary of Congress. (n.d.). The American West, 1865-1900. https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/rise-of-industrial-america-1876-1900/american-west-1865-1900/Mitchell, E. (2004, April 2). FILM REVIEW; A Western With Watercolor Vistas and a Passel of Parody. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/02/movies/film-review-a-western-with-watercolor-vistas-and-a-passel-of-parody.htmlNess, M. (2016, November 10). Udderly Awful Yodeling: Disney's Home on the Range. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/udderly-awful-yodeling-disneys-home-on-the-range/O’Boyle, J.G. (1996). “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead”: The early Disney westerns. Journal of Popular Film & Television, 24(2). DOI: 10.1080/01956051.1996.9943716Puig, C. (2004, April 2). Also Opening. USA Today. https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2004-04-02-also-opening_x.htmRhett, W. (2004, March 25). Special Report From Rhett Wickham: Honing the Range (Part One). Laughing Place. https://www.laughingplace.com/w/leg/?legacyasppage=w/News-ID210270.aspSinger, G. (2004, April 2). Home Sweet Home. Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/animationworld/home-sweet-homeStreet, R. (2005, February 25). Mike Gabriel Talks Oscar Nominee Lorenzo. Animation Magazine. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2005/02/mike-gabriel-talks-oscar-nominee-lorenzo/Turan, K. (2004, April 2). 'Range' takes off at a frenzied trot. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-apr-02-et-kenny2-story.htmlWilmington, M. (2004). Movie review: 'Home on the Range'. Metromix. https://web.archive.org/web/20040409105739/http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-040402-movies-review-mw-homeontherange,0,723631.story?coll=mmx-movies_top_hedsYouseph, R. (2021, March 14). Interview with Roger Yuan. Kung-Fu Kingdom. https://kungfukingdom.com/interview-with-roger-yuan/#google_vignette

Episode SummaryWelcome to our family time! Erin and Rachel discuss Brother Bear (2003), another entry in the canon of Disney’s flop era. Despite disappointingly little effort on the part of the filmmakers to ensure cultural authenticity, Brother Bear manages to tell a sweet story with surprisingly little offensive content. Episode BibliographyAlaska Travel Industry Association. (2024). Yup'ik and Cup'ik Culture in Alaska. Travel Alaska. https://www.travelalaska.com/Things-To-Do/Alaska-Native-Culture/Cultures/YupikBarton, K. (2020, October 5). How Inuit honour the tradition of naming, and spirits who have passed on. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inuit-names-tradition-culture-history-1.5748892Billboard Staff. (2003, October 8). Diverse Acts Interpret Collins For 'Brother Bear'. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/diverse-acts-interpret-collins-for-brother-bear-68741/Billboard Staff. (2003, October 21). Collins, Turner Lead Disney Premiere. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/collins-turner-lead-disney-premiere-68553/Billington, L. (2003, November 1). 'Brother Bear' mixes nature, Native culture. Anchorage Daily News. https://web.archive.org/web/20031103012857/http://www.adn.com/life/story/4298933p-4309027c.htmlBlaise, A., & Walker, R. (Directors). (2003). Brother Bear [Film]. Walt Disney Pictures. d’Anglure, B. S. (2005). The ‘third gender’ of the Inuit. Diogenes, 52(4), 134-144. DOI: 10.1177/0392192105059478Cassady, J. (2008). "Strange Things Happen to Non-Christian People": Human-Animal Transformation among the Iñupiat of Arctic Alaska. American Indian Culture and Research Journal, 32(1). http://doi.org/10.17953Cohn, A. (2003, October 27). Phil Collins Bearly Sings. TV Guide. https://www.tvguide.com/news/phil-collins-bearly-37211/DisneyLivin. (2022, April 29). The Making of Brother Bear. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9UOlqZHrXgEbert, R. (2003, October 31). Brother Bear movie review & film summary (2003). Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/brother-bear-2003Eller, C., & Verrier, R. (2002, March 19). Disney Confirms Animation Cuts. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-19-fi-disney19-story.htmlHill, J. (2012, September 4). Why For was Michael Clarke Duncan's Grizz character cut out of Disney's "Brother Bear"? Jim Hill Media. https://jimhillmedia.com/why-for-was-michael-clarke-duncans-grizz-character-cut-out-of-disneys-brother-bear/Houston, J. (2006, February 7). Inuit Traditional Stories. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuit-myth-and-legendIndigenous Languages of Alaska: Iñupiaq. (2021, November 1). National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/indigenous-languages-of-alaska-inupiaq.htmInuit languages. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuit_languagesJessen, T. (2003, October 24). Fraternal Obligation: Disney Revisits the Animal Picture with 'Brother Bear'. Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/animationworld/fraternal-obligation-disney-revisits-animal-picture-brother-bearKjficarra. (2020, January 27). Brother Bear: Yet another example of the transformation trope. From Tonto to Thomas Builds-the-Fire: Native American Representation. https://nativeamericanmediarepresentation.wordpress.com/2020/01/27/brother-bear-yet-another-example-of-the-transformation-trope/Laugrand, F., & Oosten, J. (2014). Hunters, Predators and Prey: Inuit Perceptions of Animals. Berghahn Books.Languages - Iñupiaq | Alaska Native Language Center. (n.d.). University of Alaska Fairbanks. https://www.uaf.edu/anlc/languages-move/inupiaq.phpLeigh, D. (2009). Colonialism, gender and the family in North America: For a gendered analysis of Indigenous struggles. Studies in Ethnicity & Nationalism, 9(1), 70-88. DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-9469.2009.01029.xLuchini, C. (2023, December 15). Human-animal relationships of the Inuit shamanic perspectives on interdependence in the arctic. Medium. https://medium.com/@cristiano.luchini/human-animal-relationships-of-the-inuit-shamanic-perspectives-on-interdependence-in-the-arctic-8852c20781cdMattos, A. M. (2015). Third space: Narratives and the clash of identities in Disney’s Brother Bear. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 39, 1-11. McCarthy, T. (2003, October 19). Brother Bear. Variety. https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/brother-bear-1200538552/McKeon, M. (2018, June 24). A Walt Disney Production: "Brother Bear". Medium. https://filmknife.medium.com/a-walt-disney-production-brother-bear-6d6f01c8f3dMoore, R. (2003, October 23). Great Expectations. Orlando Sentinel. https://web.archive.org/web/20150707174308/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-10-23/news/0310220615_1_feature-animation-brother-bear-disney-animationNess, M. (2016, November 3). The End of an Animated Era: Disney's Brother Bear. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/brother-bear/Oosten, J., Laugrand, F, & Remie, C. (2006). Perceptions of decline: Inuit shamanism in the Canadian arctic. Ethnohistory, 53(3), 445-477. DOI: 10.1215/00141801-2006-001Production Notes - Brother Bear. (2010). Cinema Review. https://web.archive.org/web/20101121085935/http://cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=2249Puig, C. (2003, October 23). 'Brother Bear': Warm, fuzzy fun. USA Today. https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-10-23-brother-bear-review_x.htmSerena, K. (2023, March 26). Timothy Treadwell: The 'Grizzly Man' Eaten Alive By Bears. All That's Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/timothy-treadwellSoundlessFOB. (2020, February 6). Do you find the movie Brother Bear offensive? : r/NativeAmerican. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/NativeAmerican/comments/ezp14f/do_you_find_the_movie_brother_bear_offensive/Themes in Inuit Art: Transformation. (n.d.). Feheley Fine Arts. https://feheleyfinearts.com/themes-in-inuit-art-transformation/Turan, K. (2003, October 25). Old school 'Brother Bear'. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-25-et-turan25-story.htmlWells, P. (2008). The animated bestiary: Animals, cartoons, and culture. Rutgers University Press. We Speak Inuktut. (n.d.). Government of Nunavut. https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/culture-language-heritage-and-art/we-speak-inuktutWhitley, D. (2012). The idea of nature in Disney animation: From Snow White to WALL-E. Taylor & Francis Group. Williamson, K. J. (2024, March 5). Inuit. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Inuit-people

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel dive into a discussion of Finding Nemo (2003), the box office splash that enthralled audiences and critics alike. This movie about fish offers a surprising amount to wade through in terms of environmentalism, gender politics, and ableism. Episode BibliographyAl-Jbouri, E., & Pomerantz, S. (2020). A new kind of monster, cowboy, and crusader? Gender hegemony and flows of masculinities in Pixar animated films. Boyhood Studies, 13(1), 43-63. doi: 10.3167/bhs.2020.130104Arthur, C. (2004, July 1). 'Finding Nemo' pets harm ocean ecology. The Independent. https://web.archive.org/web/20080601023112/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/finding-nemo-pets-harm-ocean-ecology-565398.htmlÅstrӧm, B.  (2017). Marginalizing motherhood: Postfeminist fathers and dead mothers in animated film. In B. Åstrӧm (Ed.), The Absent Mother in the Cultural Imagination (pp. 41-258). doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49037-3_15Axelrod, J. (2015, July 18). "Finding Nemo" aims to help Navajo language stay afloat. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/finding-nemo-aims-to-help-navajo-language-stay-afloat/Beck, B. (2004). The sea around us: Social climbing in Seabiscuit, Whale Rider, and Finding Nemo. Multicultural Perspectives, 6(2), 24-27. doi: 10.1207/s15327892mcp0602_5Brooks, D. (2021, November 24). “It Shattered the World's Perception”: The Story of the Navajo-Language Dub of Star Wars: A New Hope. StarWars.com. https://www.starwars.com/news/navajo-language-star-wars-a-new-hopeBruckner, L.D. (2010). Bambi and Finding Nemo: A sense of wonder in the wonderful world of Disney?. In P. Willoquet-Maricondi (Ed.). Framing the World: Explorations in Ecocriticism and Film (pp. 187-205). University of Virginia Press.Brydon, S.G. (2009). Men at the heart of mothering: Finding mother in Finding Nemo. Journal of Gender Studies, 18(2), 131-146. doi: 10.1080/09589230902812448Caro, M. (2003). Movie review: 'Finding Nemo'. Metromix. https://web.archive.org/web/20040217220604/http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-030529movies-reviewmc-findingnemo.storyCorcoran, M. (2004, November 9). Vanuatu - Saving Nemo. ABC. https://web.archive.org/web/20051219171041/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1239666.htmDeitchman, B. (2016, December 16). Making Movie Magic in Any Language. D23. https://d23.com/making-movie-magic-in-any-language/Disney Pixar Finding Nemo. (n.d.). Pixar Animation Studios. https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/finding-nemoEbert, R. (2003, May 30). Finding Nemo. Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/finding-nemo-2003Ebrahim, H. (2014). Are the "boys" at Pixar afraid of little girls?. Journal of Film and Video, 66(3), 43-56. Doi:Finding Nemo. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finding_NemoGarrett, D. (2006, March 8). 'Potter' DVD golden. Variety. https://variety.com/2006/digital/markets-festivals/potter-dvd-golden-1117939470/Germain, D. (2003, May 29). Finding Nemo. Southeast Missourian. https://www.semissourian.com/story/110310.htmlGimphacks. (2018, December 14). IS “GIMP” A SLUR? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voCigbuzOHsGuerrero, A. P. S (2015). An approach to finding teaching moments on families and child development in Disney films. Academic Psychiatry, 39, 225-230. doi: 10.1007/s40596-014-0240-6Heffington, B.D. (2015). A pentadic criticism of three Disney/Pixar films: Spirituality and environmentalism in “Monsters, Inc.”, “Finding Nemo”, and “WALL-E.” [Graduate Thesis, Northern Arizona University]. Henley, J. (2004, February 24). Nemo finds way to French court. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/24/books.filmI_Hate_Kidz. (2016). AA in Finding Nemo [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/comments/3wljup/aa_in_finding_nemo/Jodie, Q. (2016, March 10). ‘Nemo Há'déést'į́į́'. Navajo Times. https://navajotimes.com/reznews/nemo-hadeestii/LightsCameraAction. (2019, September 1). Finding Nemo (2003) - The Making Of. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2zx3gcuXnkMilitz, T. A., & Foale, S. (2017, May 1). The “Nemo Effect”: Perception and reality of Finding Nemo 's impact on marine aquarium fisheries. Fish and fisheries, 18(3). doi: 596-606. 10.1111/faf.12202Ness, M. (2017, May 25). Fish Parenting and Disability: Finding Nemo. Tor.com. Retrieved February 18, 2024, from https://reactormag.com/fish-parenting-and-disability-finding-nemo/Preiser, R., Pereira, L.M., & Briggs, R.  (2017). Navigating alternative framings of human-environment interactions: Variations on the theme of ‘Finding Nemo. Anthropocene, 20, 83-87. doi: 10.1016/j.ancene.2017.10.003Preston, D.L. (2010). Finding difference: Nemo and friends opening the door to disability theory. The English Journal, 100(2), 56-60.Price, D. A. (2009). The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.Prosek, J. (2010). Beautiful Friendship. National Geographic. https://web.archive.org/web/20190427052617/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2010/01/clownfish-anemone-symbiotic-relationship/Puig, C. (2003, May 29). Sweet and funny 'Nemo' works just swimmingly. USA Today. https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-05-29-nemo_x.htmRizvi, S. (2010, December 24). Remembering Glenn McQueen (1960-2002). The Pixar Times. https://pixartimes.com/2010/12/24/remembering-glenn-mcqueen-1960-2002/#google_vignetteRodriguez, R. (2003, May 30). 'Finding Nemo' enchants at all levels; sets high-water mark for summer flicks. Miami Herald. https://web.archive.org/web/20030604160444/http://ae.miami.com/entertainment/ui/miami/movie.html?id=99879&reviewId=12209Sherlock, B. (2020, February 21). Just Keep Swimming: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Finding Nemo. Screen Rant. https://screenrant.com/finding-nemo-behind-scenes-facts-disney-pixar-movie/#ellen-degeneres-nailed-the-most-emotional-scene-in-one-takeStanton, A. (Director). (2003). Finding Nemo [Film]. Walt Disney Pictures.Taing, T. L. (2022, July 27). The Animation 'Magic Trick' That Made Finding Nemo Work. Slash Film. https://www.slashfilm.com/943107/the-animation-magic-trick-that-made-finding-nemo-work/Turan, K. (2003, May 30). Hook, line and sinker. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-30-et-turan30-story.htmlvan Oosterwijk, I., & McCarthy, W. (2023). Once upon a dystopian time… the portrayal and perception of environmentalism in Pixar’s Finding Nemo and WALL-E. Quarterly Review of Film and Video, 40(7), 848-873. doi: 10.1080/10509208.2022.2049181Verrier, R. (2003, July 29). 'Nemo' Becomes the Big Fish at the Animation Box Office. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-29-fi-nemo29-story.htmlWestbrook, B. (2004, April 9). Finding Nemo. Houston Chronicle. https://web.archive.org/web/20050911024614/http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/moviestory.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/1929968Wolsos, J. (2012, July 30). Director's Commentary Track Review - Finding Nemo. Pixar Post. https://pixarpost.com/2012/07/directors-commentary-track-review.html