In Contention

Tag: The Lion King

  • Tell us what you thought of ‘The Lion King 3D’

    I don’t know if many of you are planning on taking in “The Lion King 3D,” a converted version of the 1994 animated classic that will be in theaters for a few weeks in advance of the film’s Blu-ray bow next month. But I figured I’d offer up a space for you to discuss it anyway. If you’re on the fence, I’d highly recommend it. As noted last month, I think it actually brings a lot of life to the film, which itself is already bursting with it. So head on back here to give us your thoughts if you happen to check it out this weekend.

  • Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba

    Disney held it’s big premiere for “The Lion King 3D” today at The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, fit with live African bongo music, a green carpet (made of fake grass) and a “Hakuna Matata” dress code. Not a bad way to spend an early Saturday afternoon, and I’ve been looking forward to this for a little while now, I must say.

    First thing’s first: the 3D. It’s actually quite wonderful. I was struck by how much the conversion had to work with, as there is a lot of depth built into the film as is. Whether it’s the foreground/background of the ants and zebras in the prologue, the use of Red-billed Hornbill Zazu in flight or just the opportunity to lend striking separation in sequences like the pulp Nazi-inspired “Be Prepared” number, there was just a lot of opportunity to make the 3D effective. That’s always helpful.

    The movie, for me, is a perfect one, and my favorite animated film ever. I’ve always been taken by it’s story, taking cues from Shakespeare and painting one of the studio’s most indelible, thematically potent gems. I haven’t seen it in a theater since the summer of 1994, and I was choking up five minutes in.

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  • ‘Lion King’ Father’s Day PSA

    The film will be re-released theatrically in 3D September 16 with an October 4 Blu-ray and DVD Special Edition close behind (trailer after the jump). Meanwhile, speaking of today, I figure I’ll shout-out a two-year-old list to commemorate.

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  • How would Marvel reimagine Disney heroines?

    Here’s Pocahontas, “The Lion King”‘s Nala and “Aladdin”‘s Jasmine.  Check out Jeffrey Thomas’s blog for more:

    Marvel Disney

  • What is the most watched film of all time?

    It's a Wonderful LifeIt’s a question that just came to me this evening when talking with some friends.  What would you say is the most watched film of all time?  How many films would even be on that list of contenders?

    Off the top of my head I would have to consider “The Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  Maybe “Titanic,” given the givens.

    We could maybe be so bold as to propose “The Shawshank Redemption” or “The Lord of the Rings” films.  And isn’t “Finding Nemo” the best-selling DVD of all time?  I guess that means it has to be on the list.

    “The Lion King?”  “Fantasia?”  “Gone with the Wind?”  What do we think?