June, 2007

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Jim Hill

Why For did Disney struggle to come up with a marketing campaign for Pixar's latest picture ? Because the Mouse wasn't originally supposed to release "Ratatouille"

Posted 06-27-2007

by Jim Hill
- 68 Comments
Jim Hill takes you behind-the-scenes on the creation of this new Brad Bird film. Which actually wasn't ever intended to be a Walt Disney Pictures release. But -- rather -- Pixar's first film for another studio after their co-production deal with the Mouse expired in 2005...
Jim Hill

"The Art of Ratatouille" gives its readers a glimpse of the picture that Pixar Animation Studios almost made

Posted 06-26-2007

by Jim Hill
- 24 Comments
Jim Hill reviews this handsome new hardcover from Chronicle Books. Which features a surprising amount of artwork from Jan Pinkava's version of "Ratatouille"...
Jim Hill

Tune Tuesday : By playing it safe, did Disney Theatrical miss the chance to turn "Tarzan" into a real Broadway spectacular?

Posted 06-25-2007

by Jim Hill
- 20 Comments
As this poorly received musical gets ready to vacate the Richard Rodgers theatre, Jim Hill talks about the ambitious version of this show that we almost got to see. Where the audience would have literally found itself seated right in the middle of the jungle ...
Jim Hill

Monday Mouse Watch : Could underwhelming box office receipts for "Ratatouille" really spell trouble for Disney & Pixar officials?

Posted 06-24-2007

by Jim Hill
- 100 Comments
Here's an article that's almost sure to upset all you animation fans out there. Jim Hill shares what he's heard about the projected domestic box office for Brad Bird's newest movie. Which suggests that "Ratatouille" is going to earn significantly less than "Cars" did last year...
Jim Hill

Why For do the Imagineers keep adding new characters to Disney's classic theme park attractions?

Posted 06-21-2007

by Jim Hill
- 63 Comments
Jim Hill returns with even more answers to your Mouse-related questions. This time around, Jim addresses Disneyana fans' concerns with the growing number of Pixar-related rides & shows that are being added to the Disney theme parks...
Jim Hill

Say "So Long !" to direct-to-video sequels : DisneyToon Studios tunes out Sharon Morrill

Posted 06-20-2007

by Jim Hill
- 51 Comments
In a stunning turn of events, the longtime president of DisneyToon Studios was asked to step down earlier this week by Mouse House management. Jim Hill reveals the reasons behind this executive's forced exit as well as discussing the long-term ramifications of this controversial decision...
Jim Hill

Andreas Deja : " ... If you take the drawing out of Disney, it just isn't Disney"

Posted 06-19-2007

by Jim Hill
- 23 Comments
Jim Hill chats with this noted Disney animator as he gets ready for "An Evening with Andreas Deja," a fundraising event for the AISFA-Hollywood Animation Archive that will be held at Van Eaton Galleries tomorrow night...
Jim Hill

Monday Mouse Watch : Is Disney really getting ready to use the Muppets to help teach kids about technology ... or does that not compute ?

Posted 06-17-2007

by Jim Hill
- 24 Comments
Jim Hill shares what he's heard about the Muppet-related rumor that's currently making the rounds. Which reportedly has the Mouse exploring the idea of using Jim Henson's characters to help teach children about computers & other hi-tech devices...
Jim Hill

Why (For) Pat Carroll wasn't actually Disney's first choice to voice Ursula in "The Little Mermaid"

Posted 06-14-2007

by Jim Hill
- 15 Comments
Thanks to Allan Neuwirth, Jim Hill is now able to share this great story about Walt Disney Animation Studios' epic search for just the right voice for the sea witch...
Jim Hill

Testing ... One ... Two ... Three ... A JHM Podcast ?!

Posted 06-13-2007

by Jim Hill
- 28 Comments
Consider this a trial run for a possible new feature here at JimHillMedia.com. Would you be interested in listening to a weekly version of a show like this ?...
Jim Hill

Has "At World's End" got you at wit's end ? Then pick up a copy of "The Pirates Guidelines" and unravel the secrets of Disney's POTC trilogy

Posted 06-12-2007

by Jim Hill
- 9 Comments
Jim Hill reviews this new Disney Editions book as well as checking out the newly enhanced edition of Jason Surrell's "Pirates of the Caribbean : From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies." WARNING : This review does contain some "Pirates 3" spoilers...
Jim Hill

Monday Mouse Watch : Is Disney milking it a bit too much with its "High School Musical" franchise ?

Posted 06-10-2007

by Jim Hill
- 34 Comments
Jim Hill brings you the latest news from East High. With Disney's plans to launch a professional stage production of "High School Musical" later this month as well as its early promotional efforts for the sequel to this incredibly popular TV movie (WARNING ! This article does contain some minor spoilers for "High School Musical 2")....
Jim Hill

Why (For) did Walt Disney actually have Disneyland's Submarine Voyage built ?

Posted 06-07-2007

by Jim Hill
- 28 Comments
Jim Hill reveals the hidden history of this soon-to-be-re-opening Tomorrowland attraction. Which only came about because the Ol' Mousetro was determined to "one up" the competition. Which -- back in 1958 -- was this recently rethemed Santa Monica amusement pier that had just been dubbed "Pacific Ocean Park" ...
Jim Hill

Tube Thursday : Are the gruesome extra features found on "Primeval" ' s promotional website eventually going to bite Disney in the butt ?

Posted 06-06-2007

by Jim Hill
- 25 Comments
Jim Hill talks about the site that Buena Vista Home Entertainment set up to help promote this Mouse-produced horror movie. Which features an interactive guide to serial killers as well as an online game where you can then pretend to be a vicious crocodile that eats machine-gun-toting mercenaries...
Jim Hill

"Cartoon Modern" takes a witty & informed look back at animation's not-so-distant past

Posted 06-05-2007

by Jim Hill
- 6 Comments
Jim Hill reviews Amid Amidi's award-winning book. Which pays tribute to the many studios as well as individual artists that helped to revolutionize the look & style of 1950s-era animation...
Jim Hill

Monday Mouse Watch : Why frugal filmgoers are scaring the hell out of Hollywood

Posted 06-03-2007

by Jim Hill
- 130 Comments
Jim Hill talks about a new trend that's really disturbing studio heads as well as exhibitors. The fact that young adult males are seeing this year's crop of summer blockbusters only once. While families aren't seeing them at all. Prefering to wait for the DVD versions of these new movies come out...
Jim Hill

Why (For) Disney doesn't feel all that bad about missing out on the theme park rights to "Harry Potter" ?

Posted 05-31-2007

by Jim Hill
- 69 Comments
Jim Hill's back with even more answers to your Disney-related questions. This time around, Jim talks about why the Mouse was willing to abandon its negotiations with J.K. Rowling, what rethemed rides you can expect to find when you visit the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter," as well as what Disney's response to IOA's new addition might be...

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