the little mermaid Tagged Articles at Cinematical

I'm as big a fan of Pixar movies as anyone, but I honestly miss the old-fashioned 2-D style animation from Walt Disney. I think there's definitely room for both hand-drawn and computer animated films, because as brilliant as movies like Toy Story, Ratatouille and Wall-E may be, they're a completely separate kind of filmmaking from the traditional Disney films. They shouldn't be compared to nor should they replace the kind of beloved fairy tale classics we've enjoyed from the Mouse House for 70 years. So, before commenting on the new teaser trailer for The Princess and the Frog (available here if the YouTube version is removed), let me just say, welcome back, 2-D!

OK, so what do I think? Well, upon seeing the New Orleans setting, my first response was unfortunately one of fear: what if Disney one-ups its Hunchback of Notre Dame pole-dance debacle with a scene involving Mardi Gras beads? Well, obviously Disney knows better than to be so blatantly naughty, though I wouldn't doubt that animators will find some way to slip in a hint of Big Easy-style debauchery.

When I was a kid, I watched all the awards shows ... except the Tonys. Even when I was involved in theater as a teenager I wasn't a follower of Broadway. And I lived an hour away from Manhattan. But today's youths may be more interested in tuning in to the 2008 Tony Awards, because everyone's favorite boy wizard is among the presenters. Daniel Radcliffe will likely be there solely to promote his Broadway debut this fall, in Equus, but that shouldn't deter fans of the Harry Potter films, the latest of which, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, also opens in the fall. Despite the significance of Radcliffe's role in Equus (remember those sexy photos?), Radcliffe will presumably be dressed fully and sharply.

Other presenters include Laura Linney, Alec Baldwin, Marisa Tomei and Radcliffe's costar in both the Equus and the Harry Potter films, Richard Griffiths. This year's Tonys are also of interest to movie fans for its nominees, which include movies-turned-musicals Cry-Baby (4 nominations), Xanadu (4 nominations), The Little Mermaid (2 nominations) and Young Frankenstein (3 nominations), as well as the comic adaption of The 39 Steps (6 nominations), based on the John Buchan book that Alfred Hitchcock and others turned into hit films (with a fourth version reportedly in the works).

The Tony Awards will be held at Radio City Music Hall, and broadcast live on CBS, June 15.

Because Disney is so adamant about being family-friendly, folks will always look for them to slip up. We've been down this road several times before: The Disney Urban Legends. Ah yes, the penis on The Little Mermaid poster, the topless woman in The Rescuers, the stars that spell out 'Sex' in The Lion King -- in fact, here's a YouTube video that shows you some of them up close. Well, now, some folks are claiming those peeps at the Mouse House have become a lot more blatant in their super-secret naughty ways. There's a clip from Enchanted currently online in which the Prince attacks a NYC bus, causing the bus driver to freak out and such. Well, roughly 30 seconds in, right before the bus driver says "Are you crazy,' it appears someone shouts "Get the f*ck outta here." Did Disney drop the F-bomb on us during a PG-rated movie? Say it ain't so. Say it!

Okay, it ain't so. Maybe it's because I'm from New York and I'm used to the accents, but if you listen closely it's clear this person is saying "Get that bus outta here," and not "Get the f*ck outta here." C'mon now, like Disney would ever let that one slide. But that still doesn't mean there's nothing dirty about the number one film in the country this weekend (with a nice $50 million take). In fact, JoBlo (who pointed us toward this whole f**king story) claims Enchanted star Amy Adams worked as a Hooters girl until the age of 18. Wait a second ... until the age of 18? So ... was she a Hooters girl at 16? 15? 10? That can't be kosher. Anyway, did you see Enchanted this weekend? Did you dig it? And what's your favorite Disney urban legend?