The Hawaiian Islands are the backdrop for this oddball child-befriends-alien story that was a surprise success for Disney. Seid returns as our guest to discuss the Pudge Theory, watercolor wonders, animated crushes and the significant message of finding one’s own family.
41 - Atlantis: The Lost Empire (with Jordin Overton)
Embark on a voyage of discovery with us in this 2001 action-adventure flick. David and Kaela conscript guest Jordin Overton to discuss how margaritas inspire, the deep lore of the S.E.A., when character development matters and the odd cast of memory over a falling balloon.
40 - The Emperor's New Groove (with Allen Chaney)
The last Disney animated feature of the year 2000 is an off-beat slapstick comedy with an intriguing and troubled production history. Kaela and David have Allen Chaney with them again to discuss topics such as a great injustice to Sting, villains stealing the comedy limelight, and why it’s hard to talk about a gag-heavy cartoon in detail.
39 - Dinosaur (with Matt Holley)
We apologize in advance to anyone who enjoys this 2000 CG-animated feature, but David, Kaela and special guest Matt Holley are not particularly big fans. They keep things fairly short this time around as they discuss the pros of wordless storytelling, the cons of anthropomorphic lips, the virtues of helping the elderly and how Ayn Rand gets utilized in a weird way.
38 - Fantasia 2000 (with Abysmii and Papreeka)
The concert feature returns for a new millennium, and past guests Abysmii and Papreeka join us for a discussion of this attempt at reviving the Fantasia concept. Topics include flying Doritos, how celebrity cameos can date a feature, evocations of Melody Time and Biblical stories with Disney characters.
Special thanks to Ernie Hernandez, Aronzo Traylor and Austin Traylor for lending their incredible voices to the intro.
Animusings+ - The Tigger Movie (with Lavecki)
We’re back to the Hundred-Acre Wood in the year 2000 with this bouncy feature starring everyone’s favorite striped goofball. Lavecki is back to talk about Tigger’s starring role and how the story and characters compare to the previous Winne the Pooh film.
37 - Tarzan (with Sandy Stoltz)
The Lord of the Apes leaps center stage in this episode as David, Kaela and special guest Sandy Stoltz discuss this 1999 animated adventure. Topics include Phil Collins explaining it all, how many montages are too many montages, animated sex appeal and the most gruesome addition to the Plummet Counter.
36 - Mulan (with Jennifer Kelsey)
1998 was a year Disney attempted to bring honor to us all with this Chinese fable seen through a Western lens. David and Kaela get down to business with some help from their friend Jenny to discuss casting quandaries, the role and role-breaking of gender, silence speaking volumes and why a falcon is the greatest soldier in the Hun army.
35 - Hercules (with ClericofMadness)
We attempt to go the distance in this 1997 feature that goes “beyond the myth” when it comes to Greek mythology, as David and Kaela draw special guest ClericofMadness from the Underworld to discuss it. Topics include a petty deal with Jeffery, a surprising connection to Pink Floyd, Hades getting a bad rep and the subtext of Megara’s backstory.
34 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (with Alex and Heather)
Come one! Come all! See how Disney managed to convert Victor Hugo’s bleak and mature novel into this 1996 family feature with - believe it or not- a G-rating. Returning guests Alex and Heather are back to discuss depictions of Romani, the problem with goofy gargoyles, deep fireplace confessions and the best music Alan Menken has ever written.
Animusings+ - James and the Giant Peach (with Ben Spiegel)
Ben Spiegel is our guest once again to talk about this 1996 stop-motion marvel about a boy, some bugs, and a very big fruit. Discussion includes magical realism and defining it in the world, an introduction to Randy Newman, and rhinos being a metaphor for car accidents.
33 - Pocahontas (with Seid and Raevell)
Kaela and David seek riches in the new world of 1995, and find only this VERY loosely historical animated feature instead. Joined by old friends Seid and Raevell, they’ll listen with their hearts in hopes to understand the real history, animation history and unusual expectations for this film on its release. Topics include deep-diving into Jamestown lore, comic relief dos-and-don’ts, magic wind and character chemistry in unusual places.
Animusings+ - A Goofy Movie (with Marelle Berry)
Kaela and David take a road trip through some 1995 nostalgia with Kaela’s sister, Marelle. This film, another follow-up to a Disney Afternoon show, sees a father-son dynamic that’s a little bit… well, goofy! Topics of discussion include liar revealed tropes, recurring nuns, the Dad Code and Chekov’s Perfect Cast.
Special thanks to Ernie Hernandez for voicing Goofy in our intro.
32 - The Lion King (with Kylie and Eli)
From the day we arrived on this podcast, we knew we would get to this one. Kaela and David visit the Pridelands of this 1994 feature with their friends from Animal Fact Files and Cinema Nippon, Kylie and Eli, and talk about the surprising rise and lasting impression this coming-of-age story had on a generation. Talking points include divinely-appointed lions, figuring out where in Africa things are set, some sympathy for Scar, and the true awakening of furries.
Animusings+ - The Nightmare Before Christmas (with Nick Barbera)
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the show, Kaela, David and Nick talk of ghosts, ghouls and snow. The unusual feature from 1993 is a stop-motion wonder that fills them with glee. They discuss Halloween Town, lost holiday doors, Tim’s lack of involvement, Oogie Boogie and more!
31 - Aladdin (with Ben Paddon)
We end 2019 in the scorching desert with a 1992 Arabian night, with David and Kaela having pitched camp with special guest Ben Paddon as they weave their way through this mystical and madcap feature. Discussion points include the impact of Robin Williams, the possible origin of the Cave of Wonders, a fair amount of comparisons to the 2019 live-action remake, and a game called “Guess the Ashman.”
30 - Beauty and the Beast (with Beth Morton)
A tale as old as time in more ways than one, this 1991 musical fairy tale is considered a masterpiece of Disney’s filmography for many; Kaela, David and guest Beth Morton included. Discussion points include Howard Ashman’s swan song, the timeline confusion of an enchanted castle, village yokels bullying an old man and, honestly, a lot of gushing.
29 - The Rescuers Down Under (with Brian Ward and Dr. Andrea Letamendi)
Bernard and Bianca are back after over a decade in Disney’s first true sequel, released in 1990. Joining our discussion are Brian Ward and Dr. Andrea Letamendi (The Arkham Sessions; Lattes with Leia) as we muse about what is captivating in the first 10 minutes, the practicality of the R.A.S., when cartoon animals aren’t funny and Bernard’s character arc.
Animusings+ - DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp
Life is like a hurricane here on Animusings+, especially when Kaela and David bring back Alex and Heather to talk DuckTales, a collective childhood favorite, and the 1990 movie the series inspired.
28 - The Little Mermaid - Part 2 (with Angi Viper and Shawn Bean)
In the longest episode to date - so long, in fact, we’re splitting it in two parts - Kaela and David ask their friends Angi Viper and Shawn Bean to be part of their world as they submerge deep into this 1989 underwater adventure. Discussion includes popular misconceptions about Ariel’s motives and voice, father-daughter relationships, fisticuffs over Sebastian’s identity and the horror of fish sentience.