Sometimes hitting the multiplex just isn’t in the cards. That’s when cable, the web and streaming step in to provide an instant movie fix. But how to separate the wheat from the chaff? I’m happy to help; every week I’ll pick a flick and see if it’s worth your time. This week? “Tangled”

Tangled takes the New Disney Girl that debuted in Princess and the Frog and combined her with their tried-and-true studio formula, creating a heroine that is right in step with the new millennium.  It’s a fun, beautiful way to spend a few hours, whether you’re young or old.

Rapunzel is your typical teenager; she’s got an overbearing mom that won’t let her be, a bff that has her back, and a burning desire to see the world.  Oh, and her hair is about a half a mile long, and it’s magic.  Sure puts that bit of acne freshman year in perspective, doesn’t it?  But mom has an ulterior motive; she’s not actually Rapunzel’s mom.  Y’see, Mother Gothel is actually a witch that had been using a magical flower to give herself youth and beauty.  But one day it was discovered and given to a queen that was sick, and about to give birth…to Rapunzel, of course.  Mother G stole the princess, and has been keeping her — all the while telling Rapunzel that they are mother and daughter — all these years.  Rapunzel heading out to the big, wide world?  Uh, not so much, if Mother G has anything to say about it.  Cue the handsome thief that uses Rapunzel’s tower as a hidey-hole to avoid being arrested (for stealing a crown from the palace.  Wanna guess who’s crown that is?)

Tangled was pushed as “not your average fairytale”, and Disney strived to achieve that difference (something they missed in Princess and the Frog, which is an echo of what has gone before, skin coloring and delightful jazzy songs notwithstanding).  Here, they put a spin on the characters, making them more than the usual stock “princess”, “prince/hero” and “sidekick”.  Rapunzel is a princess, true; but despite her fear of the unknown, she ventures out, and gets into the thick of things.  The token dude is not a prince, but a thief that ends up having to do more growing up than the naive princess.  And the sidekick…well, the sidekick is still a cute little animal, but man is he cute.  He’s Pascal, a chameleon that doesn’t really provide comic relief — the story isn’t all that scary — but does manage to fuss and worry about our heroine in his own adorable way.  The real sidekick twist is  in a horse that can wield a sword in his teeth, and very nicely thank you (take that, Samson!  Bet Prince Charming is rethinking his mount right about now.)  Oh, and the horse ain’t on the side of our prince, er thief.  The horse wants to send him to the pokey.  Not what you’d call a faithful steed….

The songs in Tangled aren’t of The Lion King calibre, but then again, what is?  Still, singer/actress Mandy Moore, who voices Rapunzel, brings “When Will My Life Begin” to beautiful life, and Tony Award-winning actress Donna Murphy (the voice of Mother Gothel) does Broadway proud with “Mother Knows Best”.  As always, Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) works wonders with the musical score, but this time keeping the songs in the background so the story itself can shine.  Luckily the story and the voice actors are engaging enough to want to follow along.  The actors sound game, and there are enough twists on the usual fairy tale to keep viewers guessing, if not about the ending (hey, it’s a fairy tale, there’s gonna be a Happily Ever After) then the road the characters take getting there.

The most beautiful thing about Tangled is the art itself.  Whether you’re a dyed in the wool hand-drawn animation fan or a lover of CGI, Tangled has something you’ll love.  Yes, it’s digitally done, but there’s a feel of the old-school hand drawn animation to it.  The result is more luster, less flat, two-dimensional panel drawings (which may be beautiful, but isn’t very flexible.)  In Tangled, the images zoom by, and you’re there every step of the way.  My favorite scenes are the ones where the King and Queen, never giving up hope that their daughter is still out there, release thousands of lanterns on her birthday.  These lanterns bob through the air and glow so beautifully it’s tough not to reach out to try to catch one.  Instead I chose to float along with the lanterns, mesmerized by the glow.  That pretty much sums up Tangled; a beautiful, airy treat that brings the wonder and joy back to children’s animation.

Here’s the breakdown:
Would I watch it again?: Absolutely!  It’s just adorable, and so beautifully drawn that a re-watch is a definite yes.
Should you see it?: You got kids?  Definitely.  Like animation?  Absolutely.  Just want to find something to watch that you’ll enjoy?  Yes, yes, yes.
Netflix average rating: 4 Stars out of 5
My rating: 5 Stars

Prom.  Sparkly lights, pretty dresses, spiked punch, clinging to everyone and telling them how much you love them….  Just me?  Well, no matter what your high-school experience, Disney’s Prom is a sweet high school fantasy everyone can enjoy.

The premise is simple; the high school year is winding down, and Prom approaches.  What’s everybody gonna do?  As with most high school movies, there are several storylines going on at once, with all the stock characters.  The Cheating Jock and his Naive Girlfriend, the Adorable Sophomore and the Geeky Underclassman that worships her.  Stoner Dude, er, “Candy Loving Misfit” (this is a Disney movie, after all) and the Nosy Girl who doesn’t believe he’s got a killer date.  Guy Looking For A Prom Date and his Scrappy Younger Sister provide some cute moments, but I really wanted him to ask someone out without the many Wile E. Coyote-like setups.  What would really be entertaining are the conversations real high school couples have after seeing this movie, because Prom makes it look like all boys go hyper-romantic and splashy for this high school moment.  Rose petal messages, on-stage theatrics, crashing a class in a tux with flowers and a sign; I’m betting real high school guys won’t appreciate the bar being set that high.  So sorry, fellas.

The main story is between Little Miss Perfect (Nova, played by Aimee Teegarden of TV’s Friday Night Lights) and Judd Nelson, er, Brooding Rebel (Jesse, played by Thomas McDonell).  As with most of the cast, McDonell is a relative unknown, but not for long; he nabbed the part of the young Barnabas Collins in Tim Burton’s upcoming Dark Shadows movie.  Nova and Jesse do a great job re-hashing the basics from 10 Things I Hate About You, Drive Me Crazy, She’s All That and just about any other opposites-attract romance ever made. They also have a genuine chemistry that saves this movie from being another 90’s teen  movie knock-off.

What’s refreshing about this movie is the lack of in-your-face scatalogical humor.  Hey, I like a good fart joke as much as the next person, but does Every Single Movie aimed at folks under 25 have to have not only a reference, but a total gross out?  I like being able to sit back and enjoy my Twizzlers without worrying about what’s gonna come at me from onscreen, thanks.  With this movie it’s all of the pleasure, none of the ick.  In today’s world of trying to out-nasty the last film, it’s a welcome change of pace.

You could easily watch Prom and count the number of different movie…”references” here.  The “last night of high school” backdrop from Can’t Hardly Wait and American Graffiti, the goofy hallway chase scene in The Breakfast Club, the dress-shopping scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral.  Still, Prom manages to keep things entertaining.  It’s the best parts of high school, with the darker side (cheating guys, back-stabbing girls, friends that disappoint) glossed over and tidied up by the time credits roll.  This could have made Prom a disappointing clunker, instead it’s just like a perfect prom dress; light, sparkly and makes you smile when you see it.

With Tangled, Disney returns to its roots with a story of a traditional princess, a reluctant hero, and a wicked witch and although many are tired of this old formula, if anyone can do it right it’s Disney.

Tangled is the classic story of Rapunzel with, of course, a twist. You know, there’s a princess kept in a tower by an evil enchantress who uses her long hair to gain access. One day, a young man runs into her and they set off to find her true parents. There’s magic, adventure, and a nice love story. We’ve all seen this plot before, but here it feels natural and has enough new elements to keep even the most experiences movie-watcher entertained.

First of all, the film looks great. Here, Disney Animation Studios doesn’t try to emulate Pixar, but attempts to imbue this computer-animated film with the magic of their classically animated fairy tales. The entire movie, from the design of the characters to the way the world looks, just feels right. At no point are you left wishing that the film was traditionally-animated. Each medium has its own advantages and disadvantages, and Disney is really starting to see that distinction. This story works with computer animation. The animation in Tangled is vibrant, cartoonish (as in, not too realistic), and fun.

The film is also presented in 3D, which I am not a fan of. Still, the financial benefits at this point all but guarantee that we will have to deal with many more films in three dimensions during the foreseeable future. As with any computer-animated film, the 3D effects work better here than they would in live-action. And while most of the time, the 3D did not add anything to the film, there were occasions where the effect was actually visually interesting. So while I think overall 3D is not worth it, there are sequences, most notably the latern-releasing scene, in which the 3D visuals enhance the film.

The comedy is also spot-on. Kids will find it extremely entertaining, but adults will also find themselves laughing. This is due to the fact that the movie is genuinely funny. It doesn’t rely on cheap jokes, potty humor, or innuendo but instead uses physical comedy and legitimately hilarious moments to be a surprisingly funny movie.

But what really marks this as a high point in Disney’s recent history is its heart. The movie feels like it should. The characters are warm and familiar, the story is magical, the visuals are, as I’ve mentioned, great, and you are emotionally invested in the film. At the beginnning of the movie, I was not impressed, but as the movie went on I found myself more and more invested in the characters and what happens to them. In fact, the finale of the film packs a significant emotional punch, despite the fact that you know that everything is going to be okay in the end.

So while Tangled is definitely no Beauty and the Beast or Lion King, it is definitely a return to form for Disney. The story is fun, you fall in love with the characters, the visuals are breathtaking, real emotions are involved, and the film is pure fun for all ages.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Secretariat follows a specific formula, but in the process creates a surprisingly good film. It is simple to predict what will happen, especially considering the real-life origin of the story, but keeps your interest through great acting and direction.

Secretariat is the story of, you guessed it, Secretariat, arguably the greatest racehorse in history. and how the persistence of one Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) and the passion of an eccentric trainer (John Malkovich) enabled a down-and-out horse farm to raise a Triple Crown-winner.

Secretariat contains all the typical elements of a Disney-produced biopic: a traditional hero, a family drama, an underdog, and a feel-good conclusion. And although there has been fervent backlash against “formula films” like this one, there’s a reason they work. For some reason, we respond very well to a three-act structure with an established hero and easy-to-grasp conflict and although many avant-garde filmmakers may experiment with different narrative techniques, all with varying degrees of success, this traditional story-telling device will always connect with audience if done right.

And Secretariat is definitely done right. The film is a great mix of drama, sports action, as well as some good humor running throughout. The script establishes characters that we care for very quickly and efficiently, setting up the story in a way that prevents it from ever losing our interest.

The movie is supported by fantastic performances all-around, especially from the two leads. Diane Lane provides a fantastic heroine that we can not only cheer for but also feel for her struggles. It is always nice to see a truly powerful female lead who doesn’t feel the need to act like a man to show her authority. Mrs. Chenery takes control of the situation and champions the underdog horse when no one else will. As always, John Malkovich is great in a slightly off-kilter role.

Secretariat is well-directed, especially during the race sequences. You can really feel the speed and power of these majestic animals as the director opts for a noticeably cheaper camera in exchange for getting much closer to the action. The cameras zoom right alongside the horses as they jostle for position in the track. Horse-racing is an exciting sport that loses its excitement on TV most of the time but the movie avoids that by showing those key scenes in a great style.

So although Secretariat is at its core a simple Disney film, it was definitely not rushed. The production value is very high, the direction is good, and the acting extremely solid, which is necessary for such a drama. And although the script is predictable, that never hurts the emotional impact of the movie because we really care about the outcome.

Secretariat becomes much better than the idea behind it would suggest, thanks primarily to its excellent performances. Secretariat is a rare, good sports film that gives you the chance to root for the little guy, which I know we all love to do.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Have you seen Toy Story 3 yet? I haven’t and am dying to! My nephew, dressed in his Buzz Lightyear costume, saw it yesterday and loved it! Apparently he’s not the only one as you’ve rated it 99% fresh over at Rotten Tomatoes. In one of the funnest “What Ifs” what if Walt Disney had produced a Toy Story in the early days of Disney? Below is a Silly Symphony from 1935 entitled Broken Toys that answers that question. I have to admit that I am a huge fan of the Silly Symphony series and think they are as important to the Disney that we know and love today as Snow White or Sleeping Beauty! What do you think? And if you’ve seen Toy Story 3 what do you think of it?

Quinn gave birth to a healthy beautiful baby girl. New Directions did not win Regionals however Sue, one of four judges at Regionals, actually voted for New Directions. Sue also bought New Directions another year at McKinley High because she can’t imagine a world without the butt of all her jokes. Coach Corcoran adopted Quinn’s baby and named her Beth (the name Puck wanted to give her) “And that’s what you missed on Glee.”

“I have to be honest, Will. I’m having a really difficult time hearing anything you have to say today because your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing songs about living on the bayou.” Sue just referenced the first film I ever saw in theater- Song of the South (re-released in 1986). I can’t stop loving Sue.

Finn telling Rachel that he loves her seemed forced. After “Journey” ended that moment seemed even more out of place as it led to absolutely nothing. I know this is just a preview of a season two storyline but p-lease.

Sometimes I wish there were a bigger gap between popular karaoke song selections and those songs performed by New Directions (thanks to Tony Romo’s love of all things Journey I now long for the days of Rick James and the original karaoke classic Super Freak) I’m saying I would’ve voted for Vocal Adrenaline if I were a part of that star studded judges panel. Which judge’s presence surprised you more- Josh Groban or Olivia Newton-John making her second guest appearance on Glee?

WHOA QUINN’S WATER JUST BROKE, pitch perfect emotional note.

What does it say about Rachel that she was, seemingly, the only member of New Directions not at the hospital for the birth of Quinn’s baby? How much did you like the Quinn delivering her baby/Vocal Adrenaline performing Bohemian Rhapsody scene? That scene saved the episode for me.

A few quotes and notes:

“Newton-John? You’re dead to me.” Sue is heating up.

Groban raising his hand to speak during the judges deliberation was classic, I’m hating him less and less by the minute.

“Kiss my ass Josh Groban!” Sue is on fire!

So glad Vocal Adrenaline won, I was very worried that we were about to get the New Directions wins fairy tale ending.

Running Wilde just earned a spot on my DVR. Will Arnett is always welcome in my home.

Will and Emma also seems like a very forced romance that we’ll have to endure in season two.

I miss the days of the kids getting slushied.

Now I’d like to see your score sheets, what did you think of this season finale? What do you think of this first season? What do you expect from season two?

Despite being well into production, The Pixar Blog is reporting that Newt has been canceled.

Newt was the story of the last two blue-footed newts on earth, Newt and Brooke, who are forced to mate in order to save their species for extinction.

The film was to be Gary Rydstrom’s feature debut, after having directed Lifted, the short that was attached to Ratatouille. At first, I wasn’t too keen on the story, but once Ain’t It Cool News got some more details back in April 2008, the film became the upcoming Pixar film I was most looking forward to:

“Newt, our lead, has been in captivity since he was a tadpole. He’s lonely. His only friend is a lifeless sock puppet. He can see the mating ritual chart from his cage and practices day in and day out, getting ready for scientists to capture him a girlfriend. “And who can’t relate to that?” asks Rydstrom.

Brooke is the name of the last female Blue-Footed Newt. She is in the wild and has no idea she’s the last female of her species. She escapes all sorts of dangers in her day-to-day life, including being evasive of these crazy biologists who are always chasing her. Rydstrom describes her evasive capabilities as making her an “amphibious Errol Flynn”.

One day they catch her and bring her back to the lab and present her to Newt. They have “the world’s worst first date” before through circumstance they both end up in the wild. Newt is worthless out here, but Brooke gets him through the trials. They meet a character named Eddie, a giant Hellbender Salamander, who is a ladies’ man and passes along his incredibly shallow ideas of love to Newt. Predictably, they  don’t work. “Newt is a movie about how finding a mate never goes as you expect even, make that especially, if you only have one choice.”

Also mentioned was a 9-step mating ritual that Newt tries desperately to learn, but can’t see the final step because Mr. Coffee in the way.

Dave Smith, an archivist at the Walt Disney Company, has confirmed that “Newt is canceled.” This is very unfortunate news in and of itself. The movie was shaping up to be another unique, charming feature from Pixar. What’s worse, however, is why it was canceled. Now, there could very well have been problems with the production, but it seems like Newt was taken out of the pipeline to make room for Cars 2 (Summer 2011), Brave (Summer 2012, formerly The Bear and the Bow), and Monsters, Inc. 2 (November 2012).

Originally, Newt was scheduled for a Summer 2011 release, but was pushed back to 2012, at which point the Cars sequel took its place. I’m guessing that the film was running behind schedule, for whatever reason, and, with two movies scheduled for 2012, simply could not fit into Pixar’s upcoming slate. That being said, I still am really disappointed that Pixar would dump an original story down the drain in order to develop several sequels. It’s unfortunate, but I guess that’s how business is done, and Pixar is no exception.

Now, we may still see this film eventually, but definitely not in the next couple of years.

Today, Disney announced that Sam Claflin has been cast in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth installment in the popular franchise. Claflin will play Philip, a youthful missionary, alongside Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey.

The upcoming film sees Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbarossa setting off on an adventure to find the Fountain of Youth. Ian McShane is set to play Blackbeard, with Cruz as his daughter, and Jack’s love interest. French actress Astrid Bergès-Frisbey is portraying a mermaid. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom have stated that they will not be involved.

Claflin’s has previously appeared in the TV mini-series Pillars of the Earth and the TV movie The Lost Future. I have not seen any of his performances, but he appears to be a talented young talent.

The movie is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and helmed by Rob Marshall. The director’s previous work includes Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, and last year’s Nine. This seems like an odd mix to me, so maybe the film will turn out better than I am expected. Honestly, I really am not looking forward to this. I loved the first “Pirates” movie, but the next two were flat-out terrible. Sure, Depp is great, but the nonsensical plot did not work for me.

Anyway, the movie is looking to have an excellent cast, so hopefully I’ll be pleasantly surprised come May 20th, 2011.