I remember years ago, Disney would announce that certain classic Disney movies were going in “the vault.” Cynically, I thought this was just to create urgency for people to buy home video copies.
I doubt the Disney suits could have predicted the popularity of streaming, but I do think they thought about the strategic re-releases of movies in the vault, such as Lady and the Tramp (1955), which came out of the vault last year.
Another thing they may not have foreseen is the rise of “political correctness,” or, as it may be more appropriately called now, “a bare minimum of cultural sensitivity.”
This means that some Disney films that have been sitting in the vault may have scenes that are just as offensive today as when they were first released, but now Disney is more likely to get called out for it.
So some classic Disney movies now have a disclaimer about “outdated cultural depictions.” That sounds like one hell of a euphemism to me. But right wing nutjobs will still hold it up as an example of triggered social justice warriors spoiling things we used to love long ago.
On the other hand, however, remaking classics to remove the offensive elements might not always be a good idea. In cutting out the offensive bits, they often wind up also cutting out some of the things that made us like the movie in the first place.
Here is some information about movies coming out today. As usual, the point isn’t to say that these movies are good or bad, only that they may or may not be interesting to most Daily Kos readers.
If you write a review about one of these, please send a message to Movie Review Group so we can reblog it.
All Rise — A young honors student charged with murder says he’s innocent. Probably no direct connection to the CBS TV series.
Atlantics — Unpaid construction workers disappear at sea, then return as ghosts. I think this is in French with English subtitles, but the trailer unfortunately has two sets of conflicting subtitles (though it may be possible to turn off the less helpful set).
Limited release, available on Netflix.
Charlie’s Angels — Apparently there are multiple teams of Charlie’s Angels. The title is a bit confusing. It’s my understanding that this is a brand new movie, not a re-release of a previous movie. I have no idea how this one fits in the overall world of the franchise.
Dolphin Reef — Technically came out Tuesday on Disney+ only. This one is tagged as a nature documentary, but the blurb makes it sound like an animated movie about a young dolphin named Echo.
Earthquake Bird — I thought Netflix had already released this one. Based on the novel by Susanna Jones.
Ford v Ferrari — Henry Ford II wants to beat Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans World Championship.
Maybe this one should have a Daily Kos review.
The Good Liar — A con man (Ian McKellen) starts to fall for his mark (Helen Mirren). I thought this would be a limited release, but it’s said to be a nationwide release and there are even TV spots for it. Maybe this one should have a Daily Kos review.
I Lost My Body — Animated movie about severed hand that escapes a laboratory in Paris in search of its body. Parents should probably think twice about taking their kids to this one. Limited release.
The Irishman — I thought this one had already come out. It’s still in limited release.
A World War II vet (Robert De Niro) tries to piece together the clues about the mysterious disappearance of union boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Joe Pesci also has a crucial rôle. Should definitely have a Daily Kos review.
Klaus — I thought this one had already come out. Still Netflix only. An incompetent mailman is posted to the Arctic, where he discovers that Santa Claus is real. This limited release includes J. K. Simmons and Will Sasso in its cast.
Lady and the Tramp — Technically came out Tuesday on Disney+ only. This live action remake tries to ditch all the “outdated cultural depictions” of the original while adding more physical comedy and more action. And running time.
Is it an improvement over the original? Might be a wash. Should probably have a Daily Kos review, perhaps preferably by someone who has seen the original.
Midnight Family — A family with a private ambulance business copes with moral and practical problems in a city with too few ambulances and too many corrupt cops.
Should definitely have a Daily Kos review. Limited release.
Noelle — Technically came out Tuesday on Disney+ only. Noelle is Santa Claus’s daughter. Although he is ready to pass the torch to his son, the daughter might have to do the big Christmas delivery this year. Might be worthwhile for a Daily Kos review.
Radio Flash — A nuclear strike cuts utilities for a big portion of the country. A teenager and her father escape the city in order to survive the catastrophe. Limited release.
The Report — Adam Driver is Daniel Jones, a senator’s staffer who investigates “enhanced interrogation techniques.” That’s definitely an euphemism for “torture.” The people need to know, but it needs to happen in the right way, asserts Jones.
Should definitely have a Daily Kos review.
Scandalous — Documentary about the National Enquirer. Limited release.
Shakira in Concert: El Dorado World Tour — This one was a one-day only, this past Wednesday, but it’ll probably be available on home video and/or streaming soon.
The Shed — A man discovers a murderous vampire in his shed. Limited release.
The Warrior Queen of Jhansi — To protect her kingdom from Redcoats dispatched to protect the business interests of the East India Company, Lakshmibai (Devika Bhise) must train the women of Jhansi to fight better than men.
Should definitely have a Daily Kos review. Limited release.