ironhorse_iv
Entirely film at the Disney World and Disneyland theme parks, without the approval, of Walt Disney Company. Escape from Tomorrow has been called 'the ultimate guerrilla film'. The reasons, why is because of the highly secretly production of monochrome black and white guerrilla-style shooting, in order to avoid lighting issues. Another, is how well, the filmmakers evade attracting attention of park security. Because of the ways, this movie was created. It allows the viewers to see the familiar sights of the Disney parks in a whole new light. Because of that, I really wanted to see this movie. After all, I wasn't sure, if this movie was even allow to be shown. However, I was deeply surprise later by the fact, that Disney didn't sued the movie, for copyrights claims. I guess, Disney thought it was better off, just to ignore it and not feed its trolls for the film negative depiction. Anyways, copyright issues wasn't going to stop me, from watching this fascinating film. However, after watching the film. I doesn't think this movie works at all. Not even in the realm of avant-garde art-house level. It wasn't sophisticated or high-brow. For the most part, it's stupid and gross out imagery was nearly unwatchable. It felt like somebody drug me, with a Mickie and I was going through a bad acid trip. Because of that, it took a lot of sheer will power, to get myself to finish watching this film. Another thing, that bug me about the film is how exposition impaired, this movie is. Normally, I would love to find hidden meaning within this story, but sadly, this movie takes the fun out of it. This movie from first time writer and director Randy Moore was also a bit too confusing for my taste. I really don't get this fantasy horror film, at all. The story about unemployed father, Jim White (Roy Abramsohn), whom sanity is challenge by the over-fantasy domain in which, his family wants to spent time in; just didn't work with me. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, the film's story and imagery remind me of a mix between 1999's Sam Mendes's American Beauty & David Lynch 1977's Eraser Head with elements of Disney magic. It sounds interesting, but it's badly executed. Trust me! First off, the movie has horrible pacing. Lots of awkward long shots of nothing much going on. Half of the film is really, really boring. Then, there is problems with filming locations. Since, reshoots were nearly impossible. Some scenes were shot against a very obvious green screen background. Its looks so fake. You can really tell, which scenes were filmed in locations, and which were not. Another problem, is its CGI, which wasn't used right. However, the biggest jarring production issue that I have against the film is how content proprietary to Disney, such as the lyrics to "It's a Small World" and footage from Soarin', was removed from the film to avoid copyright infringement, yet others, are kept in. I guess, the filmmakers weren't as brave as they make themselves, out to be. Look, I'm willing to look pass the novelty, to see the truth about Disney, but the film wasn't presenting anything that seem real. Its 'so call' facts like the emu myth and Disney prostitutes, are just as fake as the castles in which, this story takes place at. I get that, this is a fantasy version of the real-life park, but if you going to make Disney seem like an evil company, you should show more realistic tones of that. Not only is the whole message of Disney being an evil company kinda unclear and too murky, but the idea of shaming 'escapism' is also a bit too bitter and joyless. I get that, the word 'escapism' often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that escapists are unhappy, with an inability or unwillingness to connect meaningfully with the realism world, but that idea is taken out of proper context by this first time director, Randy Moore. Not everybody that goes to Disneyland or go see a movie is depressed. Some of them, are just looking for fun and entertainment. However, you wouldn't know it, by looking at this film. All of the main characters, here are just miserable, hateful, and unlikeable. Don't get me wrong, all the actors in this film are fine, but being an escapism movie, doesn't mean, that all of the characters have to be jerks. It just means, that, characters have to be likable enough to connect with the audience. So that their spirits can be uplifting, when we see a character, be able to conquer the problems of his own world. Sadly, you don't see that in this film. Looking for a means of entertainment isn't supposed to be bad-thing, but this movie acts like it does. It's like, telling us, that we should be in shame for liking uplifting epic blockbuster movies and should act more realistic, gritty and downtrodden. I really have to disagree with that mindset. The reason, why, is because movies like this, is all about suffering. It's not a healthy escape for the viewer. If anything, this cruel and spiteful movie, can only make the viewer, colder about their own world. Unpleasant media make unpleasant people. I glad, there are film directors like director Preston Sturges that shows that. In his film, 1941's Sullivan's Travels, he points out, how 'vain and self-indulgent', films like Escape from Tomorrow are. Most people go to the movie for healthy distraction, not to be told, how depressing, their world is. Overall: I felt more disappointed by this weird film, than honestly downright hating it. For the most part, I was all eyes and ears for this surrealism film, coming in, but sadly, after finishing this movie. I can clearly say, it was a very below average film. I can't recommended watching at all, unless you want to be upset.
sweeneytoddmusical
Warning: This review may be strongly opinionated.I did not like this film as a Disney fan, or even a horror fan. I was sort of expecting him to imagine this all out machine-uprising in the middle of one of my favorite parks, but instead it's just some weird cat based, sexual mental illness? I'm not even sure I understood exactly what this movie was about.And I was heavily annoyed by the constant unclear cuts between shots filmed in DISNEYLAND and shots filmed in Disney WORLD. This may be just because I've got autism, but I am very particular about anything involving my Disney...I was also very upset by the mother having such an issue with her man even so much as touching her arm in front of the kids, and I became really enraged with her as an annoying character when she denied her little girl just one freaking balloon and then slapped her across the face in public. I know she was anxious because she knew her husband was eyeing another girl, but still... What the fudge?? Why, just because of that, yell at your kid at a Disney park and tell her she can't have a Mickey balloon before hitting her? It's not her fault. At this point, the mom was BEYOND help for me, and I felt sorry for the kids when I saw their father died and they were left with mommy. The dad, even with his issues, seemed to be a way better parent. He knew when to be more firm, and when not to be, and he was really trying to make this vacation the best one his kids ever had. He was even willing to wait in the longest line ever for his son to ride Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. The mom DID take the daughter on the Teacups and Dumbo, but that was about the most fun she ever allowed either kid to have with her around at the parks. Everything else almost was her controlling everything. (Except on the Three Caballeros, I could understand her making them look at things they weren't looking at already there.) Also, this didn't bug me really but I would be curious to ask the daughter why she thought Queen Grimhilde was so scary??? I wasn't afraid of her at that age. :/ As a matter of fact, I really liked her as a Disney villainess from a young age. I'm really glad they still made her go on the Snow White ride though- because in watching this movie I got to "go with them" on my favorite "deceased" ride once again, this time in a really cool looking black and white tint palette.Anyway though, I'll give it to the movie directors for trying to make something bold. Maybe this movie just isn't my cup of tea. But I certainly won't recommend it to my fellow Walt Disney fanatics- the EPCOT ball catches on fire and explodes in an ugly vision, the mother forces the family to go to the non-classic fireworks that are not featured at Cinderella Castle, for the love of god if you love It's A Small World do not watch this movie, and if you're a die-hard fan and you know about Walt's issue with names... You may have mixed feelings about them referring to him as "Mr. W". He ASKED to be called WALT. Not "Mr. Disney", not "Mr. Walt", not "Mr. W". Just WALT.Also, try not to let it annoy you that the Princesses at the parks are NOT wearing official Disney Parks Cast Member Princess gowns, if things like that do annoy you.Looking at this movie from a horror genre point of view, the black and white was a nicely suspenseful item, but it did nothing to hide the fake special effects and makeup. But since this is a fairly new movie, I'm guessing those things were a deliberate move. Maybe for comedy relief. I often never realize it when a black comedy bites me in the rear end. The only time I've ever realized it was with Sweeney Todd... And maybe Beetlejuice. Tim Burton's been the only man ever to be able to help me know a black comedy when I see it. In that case, this movie is pretty bold, if it is a black comedy. It's a good try, and for the horror fans, worth at least one watch, maybe. But it is definitely not an award winner.
