The year is 1992. A mere eight months away from releasing the smash hit Aladdin, Disney decides to put out a film that defies all logic or reason not only in its story or construction, but in its very essence. A film helmed by a choreographer with no previous directing experience. A film that, despite being a period piece about a two-week strike in 1899, is for some reason a musical composed by the great Alan Menken featuring none of his typically great work. A film starring a young, English, born-to-be-Batman actor as a New York paperboy, leading a cast of other young men most of whom cannot sing or dance – performing alongside the grossly miscast Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall, and Ann-Margret. A film that, despite all of this, still manages to move Vicky to tears of delight and happiness for some inexplicable reason. Join us on this week’s episode of We Want The D, as Nolan and Jill attempt to figure out just what the hell Vicky sees in the bizarre-o film, NEWSIES!
Ah, the circus. A world of bright lights, spinning rides, drunk clowns, and abused animals. What baby elephant wouldn't want to be born (or special-delivered via stork) into such a wonderous world? So long as said infant doesn't have big ears, at least. Because then they are in for a world of pain and misery; one where their mothers are locked up for defending them against ginger antagonizers, their fellow elephants hate them with the fire of a thousand suns, and their only friend is a mouse who helps them forget their troubles by getting them wasted on champagne and water. Join Vicky, Nolan and Jill as they look at one of Disney's shortest, most charmingly animated, racially problematic, and wholly depressing films ever; this week on We Want The D!
The Black Cauldron was released in theatres in 1985, but wasn't made available on home video until thirteen years later. This week on We Want The D, Vicky, Nolan and Jill are asking "why not twenty years? Better yet, why not never?" Because aside from one extremely adorable psychic pig, there is very little to love about Disney's first foray into PG rated territory. Sure, there's lots of boobs and corpses that kids love so much, but that doesn't make up for a mopey main "hero," a songless bard, a monkey-dog that everybody hates, and a total waste of John Hurt's talents. For a movie where so little happens, there's a lot to talk about - you don't want to miss this episode of We Want The D!
In this week's fan-request episode of We Want The D, Vicky, Nolan and Jill go down the rabbit hole into the back-assward world of Disney's animated celebration of ennui, Alice in Wonderland. Beloved among stoners and D-Lovers alike, each of our hosts struggle to remember just why that is, as it becomes clear that their apathy is matched only by Alice's own. Whether it be Jill gushing over bitchy flowers and a strange desire to play a game of "button-button who's got the button;" Nolan's feeling of kinship with an baby oyster-loving Walrus; or Victoria's feelings of vindication over the March Hare's animal attractions - this episode is in many ways just as bizarre and nonsensical as the film that inspired it.
We Want The D goes full live action with the star-studded Angels in the Outfield! A feel-good romp about a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt praying that the Los Angeles Angels win the Pennant and a group of angels led by Christopher Lloyd who grant his wish. Just kidding, this movie is anything but feel-good. It's got the saddest orphans ever, the most deadbeat of all deadbeat parents, surprise cancer, GM-pushing pill addiction, and an overall disregard for fair play and sportsmanlike conduct. Strap on your cleats and grab some dressing room cold cuts, D Lovers, and join us out at the old ball game!