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Frozen

Better Nate than Ever: Find Your Light

April 1, 2022 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

It’s hard to find words to describe the ray of sunshine that is Better Nate than Ever. 

Better Nate than Ever tells the story of Nate Foster (Reuby Wood), an unpopular but spunky 13-year-old theatre student in Pittsburgh who dreams of becoming a Broadway star. When an open audition for the role of his dreams takes place in New York, Nate and his best friend Libby (Aria Brookes) sneak out so that Nate can fight for what he believes is his future. However, after a chance encounter with Nate’s estranged Aunt Heidi (Lisa Kudrow) upends their plans, Nate and Libby must work together in order to make their dreams a reality.

Telling the story of one young man’s dreams of becoming a Broadway star, Better Nate than Ever is an utter delight from start to finish. Directed by Tim Federle (who also wrote the novel upon which the film is based), Nate is sharp, fantastical and fun children’s fare. There is such an enthusiasm and likeability about this film that you cannot help will be drawn in to its world. Musical sequences take on the appearance of a Broadway stage but never distract from the story that’s going on around them. This is not a film where songs burst forth from the cast as they walk down the street but rather are embedded within the life of struggling actors trying to make it big.

After the misfire that was Dear Evan Hanson last year (and arguably Netflix’s Prom), Better Nate than Ever is a return to form for onscreen musicals. These examples prove how important (and divisive) casting a film of this nature can be. However, Nate manages to hit the right notes in this area, especially in young lead Reuby Wood, who sparkles as the indomitable Nate himself. Wood brings an energy and life to the role that makes him undeniably likeable. His chemistry with onscreen bestie Libby (Aria Brookes) works well as the two enjoy some impressive banter, considering their age. 

Although it is also fair to say Disney unabashedly uses Nate as an opportunity to show off their IP as use of musicals like Frozen and West Side Story all fall neatly under the Disney umbrella. In fact, there’s even a certain irony about the fact that they are making a musical about Lilo and Stitch within the film, as its one of the few properties that Disney has not turned into a live-action remake or Broadway play. (However, does it make me a bad person that I kind of want to see the Stitch musical now?)

At its heart, this is a film that invites us to follow our dreams. Whether you are young like Nate or older and more established like his aunt, Nate wants to encourage you to take those risks to ‘find your light’. Although Nate’s story takes off very quickly, the film also makes it clear that it is difficult to achieve your goals. There is a struggle involved but the film does not want you to give up in the midst of that struggle. (In this way, it’s also worth noting that this film also carries with it a message of love and support of the LGBTQ community as well.) 

Much more than this though, this is also a film but what it means to find your life. Whereas Nate knows instantly what he wants to accomplish, Libby is unsure of her future. She has no interest in being a star yet she loves to support those that can be. However, she still does not know who she is or what she wants to be. As her journey unfolds, Libby begins to understand her role in Nate’s inevitable stardom. In this way, the film reminds the viewer to push forward as there is a place for us all. 

While the title Better Nate than Ever may seem a bit outlandish or self-serving, it is also hard to disagree that it’s also accurate. Fueled with a deep affection for Broadway and musical theater, Nate absolutely pops on screen. Most importantly though, it absolutely makes you want to go and find your light as well.

Better Nate than Ever is available on Disney+ on Friday, April 1st, 2022.

Filed Under: Disney+, Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Aria Brookes, Better Nate than Ever, Dear Evan Hanson, Disney, Disney+, Frozen, LGBTQ+, Lilo and Stitch, lisa kudrow, Reuby Wood, Tim Federle, West Side Story

Olaf Presents: Retelling the Old Story

November 12, 2021 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Though the Frozen films may be on hiatus, Olaf is still more than willing to tell us some stories.

In Disney+’s new series of shorts Olaf Presents, the beloved snowman does his best to recreate the magic of some of Disney’s most well-known animated films. From The Little Mermaid to Tangled, Olaf (voiced once again by Josh Gad) takes a few moments to take on the roles of mermaid, genie, lion king and many, many more as he speedily recalls the tales that defined a generation using his unique voice and vision.

Directed by veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond, Olaf Presents is silly, (very) brief but ultimately fun addition to the Disney+ canon. Designed as additional content for ‘Disney+ Day’, Olaf continues in the vein of rapid storytelling that marked his role in Frozen 2. Recounting the events of the first Frozen adventure, Olaf’s interpretation of the story added a certain level of goofiness and self-awareness to the Frozen franchise and Osmond and Gad clearly want to do the same here. By poking fun at other major Disney franchises such as Moana, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and more, Disney injects a little bit of meta-humour into their greatest hits and, frankly, it works well.

Although the shorts are extremely… well… short at only 2 minutes each, Gad definitely brings the energy and enthusiasm that one would hope for this sort of project. Having shown up in a number of projects as the lovable snowman (like the Lego Frozen project?), Gad is now synonymous with the character and clearly enjoys embellishing the role. (Seriously, whereas it can be easy to substitute voice actors, it’s actually hard to imagine anyone else as Olaf at this point.)

Admittedly, there’s very little to Olaf Presents by way of character arc or development of any kind. However, the project does serve as a gentle reminder of the fact that stories are shaped by perspective. Despite the fact that Olaf sticks closely to the original tales, his own unique brand of humour does shape the way that the events are presented. In Aladdin, he points out the silliness of the Sultan’s inability to change his own laws. In The Lion King, he points out the irony of Mufasa’s leadership over the animals while he still needs to eat. He even mocks Flynn’s overuse of the ‘smolder’ in his interpretation of Tangled. In this way, Disney does lean into the notion that the meaning of these stories can be affected by who tells the tale. Olaf’s innocence and unique take provide a different window into the stories that we have grown up with. Even if it’s done with silliness in view, that’s an interesting suggestion about the way we understand the world.

However, while the power of perspective is certainly an important aspect of these shorts, the ultimate goal of these tales is strictly entertainment. Olaf’s silliness and enthusiasm are infectious, even within these brief mini-tales. After all, who doesn’t love a good story, especially one that help us ‘see the light’ in a new way.

Olaf Presents is now playing on Disney+.

Filed Under: Disney+, Reviews Tagged With: Disney, Disney+, Frozen, Josh Gad, Olaf Presents

6.10 Into the Unknown of FROZEN II

November 29, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Six years after her powers are revealed, FROZEN II reacquaints us with Queen Elsa as she hears a mysterious siren song that calls her into the unknown. When Elsa responds, she inadvertently creates a disaster that forces them to leave their beloved Arendelle behind. As Elsa, Anna and their friends run off into the dark night, they soon discover that, in order to bring peace to the nation, they also must uncover the terrifying truth about their family history and growing up. This week, Steve welcomes back Miriam Ibrahim and Amanda Jane Smith to talk about the fear of change, being on our own together and healing the sins of our past. 

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

6.10 Frozen IIDownload

More than an hour of special features accompany the Blu-ray combo pack with outtakes, deleted scenes, deleted songs, music videos, and “Did You Know?” to get you started with the experience!

The soundtrack was certified Gold by the R.I.A.A., as the only Oscar-nominated film’s soundtrack that went #1 on the Billboard charts in 2019. “Into the Unknown” (by Idina Menzel) was certified gold, and is part of the soundtrack that has been streamed 1.7 billion times, explaining how it went gold and platinum in Japan, Korea, Philippines, China, Germany, UK and Canada.

Watch the film and sing along!

Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: Anna, Elsa, Frozen, Frozen II, Idina Menzel, Into the Unknown, Johnathan Groff, Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Olaf

Moana – Breaking The Status Quo

November 30, 2016 by Arnaldo Reyes 1 Comment

moana posterIt’s no surprise that Disney holds a monopoly when it comes to films about fairy tales and princesses. Not only are the films all-time classics, but the princesses themselves cross generation to generation, with the help of the parks of course. Over the last few years, Disney has made a 180 degree turn in the stories they tell about their princesses. Early on, these young beautiful princesses needed a prince to save them and define them, but now in our ever-changing culture, that is no more, and that’s a good thing. There was a prince near to Tiana, but she was a strong and independent character that didn’t need him. Merida taught young girls to be brave. Anna showed us the power of love and fearlessness when the odds were not in our favor, and taught us to be there for your family even when everyone is against them. Moana follows this same path and, quite frankly, goes beyond it as well.

Moana is the daughter of the chief of her tribe and next in line to be chief. The island is all she has known her entire life, yet she feels drawn to the Ocean. It is forbidden to go past the reef because beyond it the Ocean is an unforgiving and relentless force of nature. As her father and mother try to teach her the ways of her tribe, her grandmother (known as the crazy lady) pushes her to follow her own path and what she was truly called for. Her island is dying, the world is dying, and the only way to fix it is to right the wrong that the demigod Maui caused many years ago. Moana discovers the true identity of her people, ancient voyagers and then sets sail on a mission that will allow her to discover her own identity and not be tied to the one her people say she should be.

moana2A few years ago, Frozen fever took over and it still goes strong today. As good as the film was, I feel Moana is leaps and bounds better. Maybe it’s because I find the Broadway style to the Island music more entertaining, but also, I felt that the story was much more powerful and heartfelt. Moana is a strong-willed character that tries with all her might to do what she thinks is right, and that’s be the chief her father is teaching her to be, but she can’t ignore the pull inside of her to go out into the ocean and explore. She teaches us that we should embrace the path that we are called to and not the one everyone says we should live, even if it goes against what the popular position is. Her courage and resolve blended with her heart and compassion jumps out on the screen and is really felt as she interacts with Maui.

Maui is a fun and dynamic character who is full of himself but Moana teaches him more about himself than he’s ever known. That is what is so great about Moana is that during an ocean adventure, the film makes you laugh (sometimes hysterically), cry, cheer, and feel hopeful all in one. Moana brings that out because she isn’t just on an adventure to save the world, but it’s a journey of finding herself.

mauiMaui is strong, immortal, arrogant, funny and yet sad and lost. Maui just wants to be loved but has no idea how that works. He tries and tries and tries and it’s never enough. The world is dying because Maui just wanted to be loved and did something that he shouldn’t have done. We’ve met many people like Maui. Good people that are lost because at some point when they were young they were abandoned. It’s only when they reach a low point that we can learn who they really are. Moana was on an adventure to save the world and find her identity, but during that adventure Maui ended up finding the same. With all of his great charisma, we are able to see a vulnerability in the character that allows us draw close and emotionally connect with him and fall in love with him. It was a well-developed character that was perfectly cast with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

What strikes me most about the story is the similarities of not just the story of creation, but really the story of man and God. The film shows that man is not satisfied with what God has done for us. With everything in the garden, Adam and Eve were tricked into thinking it wasn’t enough, that ultimately being equals to God was the end goal. Sin entered the world and since then mankind suffers with a bout of “god-complex”. We are not equipped for that and in our effort to achieve it we have let loose darkness in the world. But darkness cannot hinder the light. When Christ died for us, it is similar to Moana restoring what was broken and at the end, just like Maui was forgiven, we also find forgiveness when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, in other words restoring the heart back to where it belongs.

Moana is getting lots of praise, and rightfully so. It is a fun and heartwarming film that is perfect for this time of year. A princess that breaks the status quo a long with a fun and charismatic companion in Maui that just makes a for a great time with the family. And if my daughter is any indication, the music can very well catch on just like Frozen fever (and frankly, I don’t mind).

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Dwayne Johnson, Frozen, Moana, musical, The Rock, Walt Disney, zootopia

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