October Disney+ Lineup

Disney+ already has so much content to watch on its streaming service, but Disney just keeps on treating us to new content. Starting Oct. 1, Disney+ will be putting out new library titles for you to enjoy. Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent will the first library title to be released in October, followed by Cheaper By The Dozen 2, Mr. Holland’s Opus, and more.

And of course, the Emmy award-winning series The Mandalorian season two kicks of October 30th. You can also catch new seasons for The Right Stuff, One Day at Disney, and The Big Fib. Plenty of fun for those cool nights ahead.

And for the spook in your Halloween Disney+ has added Maleficent and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice this month. Watch for a fun list of Family movies to watch this Halloween coming soon. Also would like to point out for the geeks in all of us Disney Junior the Rocketeer streams on October 16th.

October 1

Maleficent - A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal - an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces a battle with the invading king's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom - and perhaps to Maleficent's true happiness as well.


October 2

Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Secrets of the Zoo: Down Under (Season 1)
The Simpsons (Season 31)

Zenimation Extended Edition (Premiere) Unplug, relax, and refresh your senses for a moment of mindfulness with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zenimation -an animated soundscape experience. Whether it’s baby Moana being called by the ocean, Anna and Kristoff walking through an icy forest, or Baymax and Hiro Hamada flying over San Fransokyo, these iconic scenes become an aural experience like no other with the sounds of ocean waves, an icy forest, and soaring flight. Zenimation pays tribute to both the visual and sound artists who have created Walt Disney Animation Studios’ legacy of films. Created and edited by David Bess. From Walt Disney Animation Studios.

October 9

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Oil Spill of the Century
Wild Portugal
X2
The Right Stuff (Premiere)

October 16

Disney Junior the Rocketeer (Season 1)
Drain (Season 3)
Lost on Everest
Marvel’s Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United

Clouds (Premiere) Inspired by an incredible true story, “Clouds” is a poignant and beautiful look at the heartbreaking duality of life and a testament to what can happen when you start to live as if each day might be your last. Zach Sobiech (Fin Argus) is a fun-loving high school student with raw musical talent living with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. At the start of his senior year, he is ready to take on the world, however, when he receives the news that the disease has spread, he and his best friend and songwriting partner, Sammy (Sabrina Carpenter), decide to spend Zach’s limited time following their dreams. With the help of Zach’s mentor and teacher, Mr. Weaver (Lil Rel Howery), Zach and Sammy are given the chance of a lifetime and are offered a record deal. Along with the support of the love of his life, Amy (Madison Iseman) and his parents, Rob and Laura (Tom Everett Scott and Neve Campbell); Zach embarks on an unforgettable journey about friendship, love, and the power of music.

Meet The Chimps (Premiere) “Meet The Chimps” takes viewers into the secret life of one of the largest and most unique wildlife sanctuaries in the world–Chimp Haven—a 200-acre refuge tucked deep in the forested heart of Louisiana, which is home to more than 300 chimpanzees. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, this six-part series, from National Geographic, tracks the ups and downs of this extraordinary group of chimps that are given a second chance at life by a staff whose dedication, compassion, and commitment know no bounds. Through a seamless blend of natural history and observational-documentary filmmaking, “Meet The Chimps” puts the chimps–the heart and soul of the series–at front and center. A real-life drama with a full emotional range, the series gives unparalleled access to everything happening at Chimp Haven, including food squabbles, alliances, romances, ‘bromances’, tears, tantrums, high jinxes, and heartbreaks.

October 23

Once Upon A Snowman (Premiere) The previously untold origins of Olaf, the innocent and insightful, summer-loving snowman who melted hearts in the Academy Award®-winning 2013 Disney animated feature, Frozen, and its acclaimed 2019 sequel, are revealed in the all-new Walt Disney Animation Studios animated short, Once Upon a Snowman. The film follows Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle. Once Upon a Snowman is directed by Trent Correy (animation supervisor, “Olaf” in Frozen 2) and Dan Abraham (veteran story artist who boarded Olaf’s “When I Am Older” musical sequence in Frozen 2) and will debut exclusively on Disney+ October 23, 2020.

The Big Fib
Gathering Storm (Season 1)
India from Above (Season 1)
Marvel Super Hero Adventures (Shorts) (Season 4)
Pompeii: Secrets of the Dead
Ultimate Viking Sword

October 30

The Mandalorian (Season 2 Premiere) The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey, facing enemies and rallying allies as they make their way through a dangerous galaxy in the tumultuous era after the collapse of the Galactic Empire. “The Mandalorian” stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, and Giancarlo Esposito. Directors for the new season include Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rick Famuyiwa, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed, and Robert Rodriguez. Showrunner Jon Favreau serves as executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, and Colin Wilson, with Karen Gilchrist serving as co-executive producer.

Disney the Owl House (Season 1)
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
X-Ray Earth (Season 1)

The Mouseketeers At Walt Disney World

The Mouseketeers at Walt Disney World

1977 | G | 1 hour | Family | Disney

Director: John Tracy

Writers: Tom Adair, Tedd Anasti

Stars: Billy 'Pop' Atmore, Scott Craig, Lisa Whelchel 

Synopsis:

Follow the Disco Mice of the New Mickey Mouse Club as they visit America's favorite vacation spot, Walt Disney World!

Oh, 1977 when Jimmy Carter was our leader, stamps where still .13 cents and gas was a whopping .62 cents a gallon. Star Wars was the movie of the year as well as Saturday Night Fever. Remember that Barry Manilow Live album yep 1977. I remember sitting around the boob tube like it was yesterday as Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, as well as Three's Company, kept us laughing. What we all seem to forget that its the year Disney seemed to try and revive their most famous kids show The Mickey Mouse Club. 

The new show kicked off with an hour-long story that would easily take you through there vacation destination. Disney was no slouch when it came to cross-promoting their TV series with the parks. Sadly this did not lead to a resurgence of the show. But here we are in 2020 amidst a pandemic searching for those small things that would help make us happy once again. And that is where this show comes in.

This deep cut snuck its way onto Disney+ this past July to co-inside with the opening of Disney Lands 65th Aniversary. And yet this show was a ton of fun to watch unlike the Walt special "The Pre Opening Reports From Disneyland" that was released on the same day. 

A few things really made this worth the watch first up the commercials are intact! We get those 70s Gaines-Burgers commercials along with Shake and Bake, a few different toy lines, and some really odd microwave that did not stand the test of time. This my friends hit on the nostalgia nerve making this so much more fun then it should have been.  

That's Lisa with her thumbs in her pant loops and Julie left of Ronnie Schell.

The most notable star of the show was Lisa Whelchel’s in her first TV appearance, of course, she would go on to play “Blair” on the 80s sitcom "The Facts of Life". Julie Piekarski is here as well she was a background charter on "Facts of Life" as well as "Different Strokes". Unlike the 50s version as well as the 90s the 70s Club failed to produce any real young talent. 

Jo Anne Worley turns up as a magazine reporter who starts following the group around looking for a hot scoop. Unfortunately, She finds herself in the middle of some drama that has taken over the clubhouse.  But this is where it also turns odd has Worley and Schell try to patch up the drama with the kids through the use of the parks. With that, we do get some of the mid-70s wonders of the Magic Kingdom, like River Country, Space Mountain, and Fort Wilderness. But sadly it's more Magic Kingdom and less of the kids.

Sadly the show turns really, really dark. To make things right they plan a camping trip at the wilderness lodge campground (More Disney advertising basically) where the kids are finally getting along. And then one of the girl's ties down the tents to some other mobile campers. Well, when they leave drama, comes flying back and it turns ugly. This was a very uncomfortable scene as they all get in this little girl's face yelling at her, picking on her, and pretty much bullying her. She runs away into the Magic Kingdom where the songs fail to make you feel any better. The group quickly learns their lesson and we move on to find the girl and do the one show they are there to perform.

Outside of those amazing commercials, we are treated to some nice moments through song, dance, that bring on those warm fuzzies. Like I said earlier this is pure nostalgia at its finest, but I can see how this did not hold up way back in 1977. If your a Disney fan this a so much fun to watch for the simple fact the park is here in all its 70s glory. If you here for the kids it is going to fall really short for you. 

The Mouseketeers At Walt Disney World is a television special that exists during a time when Disney wasn’t doing exceptionally well with the exception of its theme parks.  I can not bring myself to hate this and under the current circumstance, I really fell in love with it. It's not great but it was just what I needed!

The good news is you do not need Disney Plus to watch it the same bootleg version is on Youtube so if your interested here you go The Mouseketeers at DisneyWorld. Sadly this is the Disney Channel Version with no commercials. 

**I'm sure I missed this original airing on November 22, 1977, as it was the same day Walter Payton rushed for 275 a record that still stands today. (and now you know)**

Coming to Disney+ In August

I seem to be pushing Disney+ a lot lately so here I go again! Here is a small look at what will be streaming in August. 

Friday, August 7

• Hidden Kingdoms Of China

• Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time

• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Adventure Awaits (Special)

• X-Men (2000)

• The Peanuts Movie

• Family Sundays: Episode 40

• Pixar In Real Life: Episode 10

• UFO Europe: The Untold Stories

• Howard - Directed by Don Hahn (“Beauty and the Beast”), “Howard” is the untold story of Howard Ashman, the brilliant lyricist behind Disney classics like “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid” and creator of musicals including “Little Shop of Horrors.” Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, personal films and photographs, as well as interviews with Howard’s friends and family, the film is an intimate look at the Disney Legend’s life, his creative drive, and the process behind the music. Spanning his childhood in Baltimore, to his formative years in New York, and his untimely death due to AIDS, “Howard” goes in-depth to explore his journey to become the lyricist behind some of the most beloved and well-known classic family films in the world.

Friday, August 14

• Ant-Man & The Wasp

• India’s Wild Leopards

• The Greatest Showman

• Zombies 2

• Alaska Animal Rescue

• Jungle Animal Rescue

• Nature Boom Time

• Sam’s Zookeeper Adventure

• Scuba Sam’s World

• Spaced Out

• T.O.T.S.

• T.O.T.S.: Calling All T.O.T.S. (Miniseries)

• Wild Cats Of India

• Magic Camp - A group of misfit campers help a down-on-his-luck magician rediscover his love of magic in Disney’s “Magic Camp,” a heartwarming comedy about finding joy and confidence in self-acceptance.

• The One & Only Ivan - An adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla, Disney’s "The One and Only Ivan” is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant, Bob the dog, and vario us other animals. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, is based on Katherine Applegate’s bestselling book, which won numerous awards upon its publication in 2013, including the Newbery Medal.

Friday, August 21

• Back To The Titanic

• Beauty & The Beast (2017)

• Mars: One Day On The Red Planet

Friday, August 28

• Alice Through The Looking Glass (Returning Title)

• Fantastic Four (2005)

• Phineas & Ferb The Movie: Candace Against The Universe - Stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb, their older sister Candace, Perry the Platypus and the Danville gang are back together again in "Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe," an out-of-this-world animated adventure from Disney Television Animation. Executive-produced by Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh (creators and executive producers of the long-running Emmy Award-winning series "Phineas and Ferb"), the movie centers on Phineas and Ferb as they set out across the galaxy to rescue Candace, who after being abducted by aliens, finds utopia in a far-off planet, free of pesky little brothers.

Also new Muppets will be out on August 7, 14, 21, & 28

“Muppets Now” is The Muppets Studio’s first unscripted series and first original series for Disney+. In the six-episode season, Scooter rushes to make his delivery deadlines and upload the brand-new Muppet series for streaming. They are due now, and he’ll need to navigate whatever obstacles, distractions, and complications the rest of the Muppet gang throws at him.

One Day At Disney (Miniseries): Episodes 36-39

Howard looks amazing I really can not wait to watch the story of an amazing man. And the Muppets yeah looks like a home run for Kermit and his gang. Ivan well it looks ok we will see on that one and Phineas & Ferb will be watched at some point! I'm already looking forward to October's line up I sure hope they do not disapoint.

What did you Watch in May? Well here is my list.

Tue, 26 May 2020 on Amazon Prime

Man Annie Potts is gorgeous!  The movie itself is still just ok.

3 out of 5 Stars

Sat, 23 May 2020 on Shudder

That was fun! If this would have hit the big screen in the early 80s’ it would have been a hit. Deserves its cult status.

Wed, 20 May 2020 Full Moon Streaming

During the glory days of VHS, this would have had me hook line and sinker. But know it just does not hold up. All those hot ladies showing up for a fight That never happens. Oh well, I have seen worse I guess.

Tue, 19 May 2020 on Disney Plus

Still a fun trip down memory lane of the family nights spent around the glowing tube of TV! 

Watched on Friday, May 8, 2020. Netflix

Saturday, May 2nd Svengoolie

Frank Chase as the Deputy was my favorite part but it also leads me to the question where all deputy in the 50s all Barney Fife kind of guys? Even with weak special effects, this was super fun.

Watched on Friday, May 1, 2020. Amazon Prime

This was a neat look into how these fans saved their Drive-In. Unable to purchase a $50,000 digital projector, a group of film fanatics in rural Pennsylvania fight to keep a dying drive-in theater alive by screening only vintage 35mm film prints and working entirely for free.

Watched on Friday, May 1, 2020. Disney+

Goofy is still my hero!

The totals for the month look like this

8 Flims Watched

2 On Disney+

2 On Amazon Prime

1 On Shudder

1 On Svengoolie

1 On Netflix

55 of the 75 movie goal I set for 2020!

Don't forget you can always follow along on Letterboxd if you are on Letterboxd let me know in the comments below I will be more than happy to follow you as well.

Disney Family Singalong

So how many of you tuned into The Disney Family Singalong last night? One of the best things to come out this COVID-19 stay at home fun has to be how performers have done there best to have fun with all of us. And Disney has been fantastic throughout all of this. The Disney Family Singalong features many celebrities performing Disney classics from their homes, including Donny Osmond. Some of the performances were downright perfect.

This special was something happy to look forward to for kids and adults alike during the coronavirus outbreak. As celebrities sing Disney songs, an animated character guides us through the on-screen lyrics, so you can sing along with your family!

Sadly Donny was our favorite part and his video was not uploaded to YouTube. I found it fascinating that Twitter blew up with so many people who forgot he was the singing voice of Shang in Mulan. He is such a treat! So the question for you who was your favorite if you tuned in? 

The Biggest Laff-Lifter of the Year!

The Strongest Man In The World
1975 | G | 1HR 32 Min | Family | Disney

Director:

Vincent McEveety

Writers:

Joseph L. McEveety

Herman Groves

Stars: 

Kurt Russell

Joe Flynn

Eve Arden

Synopsis:

A school laboratory accident mixes one student's vitamin cereal mix with Dexter Riley's chemical experiment. When the kids decide to dispose of the mess to their neighbor's cow, they learn that the cereal gave the cow the super-strength to give a massively vast supply of milk. When they try it out on themselves, they discover that the stuff gives any human superhuman strength for a few minutes. The school sees this as the thing needed to save their school from closure, as the Dean makes a deal with his relative who owns the company that makes the cereal for financial support, unaware that it was Dexter's chemical which was solely responsible for the strength. When her competitor learns of this deal, he hires two criminals to stop it.

One of the first things I could not wait to do when signing up for Disney+ was watching childhood classics again. All of us that grew up on those classic's remember how heartwarming they were and in many ways simplistic fun. Now for me, many of those Disney movies would include stars Jodie Foster, Kurt Russell and of course Fess Parker. I would say I'm pretty passionate about this project and have spent a bulk of my time watching many of the short cartoons first so today was time to jump into the real fantasy world. Not ready to dive into the Jodie Foster end of things yet I grabbed a Kurt Russell vehicle instead. First to note I forgot that this was part of the Dexter series so lucky me I went out of order. Strongest Man is part three of this collage-based trilogy. 

The Worlds Strongest Man will sadly be the last film for a few legends. Raymond Bailey yep (Milburn Drysdale) and Roy Roberts (John Cushing) both of  Beverly Hillbillies fame give us one last performance before retirement. After an impressive 194 tiles under his belt, William Bakewell hung up his SAG card. Sadly this will be the last on-screen appearance for the beloved Joe Flynn. Best known as the co-star of many Disney films in the 1960s and '70s he was found dead lying at the bottom of his swimming pool, weighted down by the cast on his broken leg, having suffered a heart attack while in the pool. Sadly he was only 49. His last picture would be the 1977 animation hit The Rescuers.

Wow, that took a dip sorry! Let's talk about one more cast member, shall we? When Eve Arden come on my kids perked up strolling into the living room knowing her voice. It may have taken a few minutes but they got it the famous (in our house) voice of Principal McGee in the 1978 masterpiece Grease (the most-watched movie in this house) her husky voice is legendary. Dick Van Patten another Disney staple plays the bad guy and plays him well. So with such a great cast why would Kurt Russell still get top billing? Even if the whole 2nd act and most of the 3rd act is lined with the cast mentioned above. 

The first act fly's by rather quickly with Russell and his gang in a very clean looking collage. In fact, their house is immaculate. Not the kind of college hangout you would see in say Animal House. And the cast is starting to look a little old for their parts yet there looks do not take you out of the movie. In the second act, the meat that goes with those potatoes comes with comedic relief as Flynn comes up with a plan to save his job and the school by selling this newfound experiment to a cereal company. Unffortanty this is when the movie starts to drag us down and almost crashes to a complete halt. Thankfully we head to the finish line of the big contest of what team can lift more weight the state champs or our dweeby scientists. 

With the dweebs losing badly, thank goodness for Dexter (Russell) as he uses the last of his super-strength serum to lift the 1,111-pound weight to win it for Crumply Crunch Cereal Company and Medfield Collage. Hurray Higgins and Quigley get to keep their jobs! And that my friends would be the final chapter on the Dexter trilogy

Even tho I watched The Strongest Man In The World for purely nostalgic reasons it falls just a tad short of worthwhile. Maybe I'm wrong and just being a little harsh but I feel like the dip from the second half brings the mood way down. I was so close to fast-forwarding just to find Kurt once again. It's a cute 70s Disney story that does not veer far from the Magic Formula of most Disney Classic's but falls just short of memorable. 

2 Stars out of 5

The King Has Returned.

The Lion King
2019 | PG | 1 Hr 58 Min | Family | Disney

Director: 

Jon Favreau

Writers: 

Jeff Nathanson

Irene Mecchi 

Stars: 

Donald Glover

Beyoncé

Seth Rogen 

Synopsis:

Disney’s The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, journeys to the African savanna, where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy, and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

The Circle of Life 

We all love the story of the Lion King but we seem to throw a ton of hate towards these live-action retelling story's. To this day I'm still not sure why? The Lion King flat out looks amazing and quite breathtaking at times. You really lose your self into the pride lands. Disney utilizes pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way. Honestly, you sometimes question yourself is that real or done on a computer, that is how amazing this movie looks. I do understand that the original movie is pure magic with its wonderful animation and energy it that gets you to dance and sing along with the many musical numbers that are pure joy. Even though the energy for this one is a little lackluster the love and magic are still all around. 

Life's Not Fair

The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala. James Earl Jones who is the strongest actor playing Mufasa and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar who helps keep a stronger pace with the original. Where this movie falls flat for me and many others I assume would be Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon. Nothing and I mean nothing was as heartwarming as Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella they alone made the 1994 Lion King one of the greatest movies of all time. Rogen is ok he has some good moments but sadly Eichner was really flat. In fact, his performance at times made him push his inner Lane too much. Trust me this being the one weak link is still not that bad!

I Just Can't Wait To Be King!

The early 90s were a magical time for Disney animation and with hits like Aladdin and Lion King coming to life 2019 it was a fantastic year for Disney. Lion King's story is still one of the best and retold frame by frame. This time around we are treated to stunning new animation that pops off the screen. With the same catchy show tunes, this 2-hour flick really flys by. It's so much fun to revisit our friends at Pride Rock that your family will enjoy every moment. For the younger generation this being their Lion King I'm ok with that but make sure to take some time down the road and share the classic from 1994 with them.

Hakuna Matata

From the early cartoon series, the greatest pre-qual (Lion King 1 1/2), and Broadway magic Lion King will live on for a long long time. So many generations will enjoy this story in one fashion or another. For so many of us, Lion King is one of the greatest stories ever told. And the 2019 version is just as magical as the rest and for a generation that has moved away from traditional art this is a welcomed retelling that will be around to please their younger generation as well. This cinematic marvel should not be skipped by us the older generation. Lion King is now streaming on Disney+.

4 out of 5

Disney Trick Or Treat and Friends

I uploaded these to Soundcloud a few years ago so I thought why not share them again. They can be downloaded from this site. Just click on the download button next to the share button.



















Grab them while you can I will change them back over to not downloadable once Halloween is over. Also here are a few others for your enjoyment.