DVDizzy Forum

When I saw the trailer for this (when I saw Wall-E) I nearly burst out laughing at how bad I think this movie is going to be.

I thought Chiuaua's lost their popularity when we stopped seeing the Taco Bell Dog on TV

Siren wrote:I agree, parents know a pet means responsibility, but that doesn't mean an automatic know-how in specific breed behaviors.
Sure, those dalmations are really smart and wow...so well behaved in the movie.
Unfortunatly, parents don't always do this. They knows dogs require shots, and walking, and playtime, but not all breeds are suitable for all people. And even the usual top pics for family pets are the worst picks. Like labradors. High energy dogs, who can be destructive like the dalmations. Cockers are another popular family pet choice, many of them are very aggressive. I wish more movies would focus on the plights of shelter dogs and less on these purebreds that are shown to be perfect angels and very intelligent and the perfect family pet.

A friend of mine and I were talking about shelter dogs the other day. She knows how excited I am to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua so she forwarded me this article about an auction Disney did for premiere and after party tickets, the proceeds went to The Rescue Train. Granted it's an ongoing problem with no simple solution but I do think it demonstrates that Disney really does care about animals even if Chloe isn't from a shelter.

katemonster wrote:

Siren wrote:I agree, parents know a pet means responsibility, but that doesn't mean an automatic know-how in specific breed behaviors.
Sure, those dalmations are really smart and wow...so well behaved in the movie.
Unfortunatly, parents don't always do this. They knows dogs require shots, and walking, and playtime, but not all breeds are suitable for all people. And even the usual top pics for family pets are the worst picks. Like labradors. High energy dogs, who can be destructive like the dalmations. Cockers are another popular family pet choice, many of them are very aggressive. I wish more movies would focus on the plights of shelter dogs and less on these purebreds that are shown to be perfect angels and very intelligent and the perfect family pet.

A friend of mine and I were talking about shelter dogs the other day. She knows how excited I am to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua so she forwarded me this article about an auction Disney did for premiere and after party tickets, the proceeds went to The Rescue Train. Granted it's an ongoing problem with no simple solution but I do think it demonstrates that Disney really does care about animals even if Chloe isn't from a shelter.

Conveniently they only care when they are coming out with some movie about dogs. Any other time...nothing. Disney isn't doing this out of the goodness of their heart, granted, I rather they do it now then never at all, but its for publicity. If Disney really cared about animals at the shelter they would donate all the time...not right when a movie about dogs is coming out.

I hate being this honest, but I have to say it.

Siren, I understand 100% why you suddenly spring the shelter animal topic on this thread and why you feel so strongly about it. I've seen your YouTube page and saw some of your animal cruelty/euthanasia videos. Believe when I say that I am sorry to hear you had to put some innocent animals down, but it makes me happy to hear you are working fiercely to prevent further deaths. It shows that you are a very caring and humane person, something we are lacking in this day and age.

However, as good as your intentions are, I honestly don't like how you used this thread to further fuel your beliefs and educate those unaware of the fact to the point where they feel guilty.

OK, I know I can't control what anyone says here or how to think. This IS a Disney related discussion forum and any discussion of the company, good or bad, is merited and its our right. Disney, as great as it may be, is first and foremost a company, and companies are run by humans. Which means that it isn't perfect and not 100% holy.

I'm not trying to censor your thoughts on the matter, Siren, as it is your right. What I condone, though, is the attitude you seem to have on the when discussing it. I know your heart is deep in the subject and you can't help but feel strongly about it, but shocking people and having a cynical attitude about it will not help your cause.

Again, its hard for me to say this because it sounds like I am censoring you or telling you what you can or can't post. But, it looks like you really want to push the topic onto the community and it feels awkward, especially since some people don't want to talk about it, much less on a thread about a movie. Not trying to offend you, but I am merely stating what MY eyes see and heart feels, and I am quick to admit that they might be wrong and don't necessarily reflect what everyone else thinks.

But anyways, you do what you think is right. I said my thoughts on the matter. Once again, I hope that you don't have to suffer while trying to give an animal a nice home. And once more, I hate to say this because it sounds like I am censoring you. But there are times where we have to be moderate about our thoughts and beliefs because sometimes people are not ready for them, or simply put, don't want to talk about it.

Its not like I am being off topic here. It IS my opinion that Disney is only doing this sudden, "We care about shelter animals" as publicity for the movie. It is NOT sincere of Disney to do it just when the movie is coming out and at no other time before then. How is my stance on Disney's sudden charity work any different then when people go into serious discussions about gays, love, traumatic childhood, etc in other Disney movie threads? You don't like the fact I am educating people about the reality of the impact movies like this have on dog overpopulation? It is a valid discussion and on topic with the movie. If I was going on about spaying/neutering, vet care, breeder info, etc, that would be off topic. I am discussion the connection between these types of movies being released coinciding with an explosion of backyard breeders taking up the breed, more people buying, and 6 months to a year later, those puppies, now adults being abandoned. It was well documented with the release of 101 and 102 Dalmatians. And I have no doubt this movie will have the same impact. My statements were about how Disney continually does this, and though not obligated to do so, should make an effort to help the audience be more respondsible and conscious when getting a pet. The charity work I feel, is just a publicity stunt.

I am not trying to shove my beliefs anywhere. People posted how Disney is doing charity work, so they must care, and I am putting up counterpoints. That is how a discussion works. I am just stating, as you are, what my eyes and heart sees. And my eyes and heart see Disney using their charity work as a way to fuel more publicity for the movie. Which mind you, Disney isn't the only one guilty of that. Other movie production companies and stars suddenly care when it is helping line their pocket. Very little of Hollywood is sincere these days with charity. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their $2 million to Ethiopia and Johnny Depp and a handful of other actors giving the money they all made on Heath Ledger's last movie to Heath's daughter is sincere. After years of making movies about purebred dogs and having pressure from rescues, PETA, ASPCA, SPCA, and letter writing campaigns doing charity right before another movie about a purebred dog I don't find sincere. Now if Disney keeps it up and donates again or continues to support rescues long after BHC is a distant memory, then more power to them and maybe they see the good it does. But I do not feel their current heart for rescues dogs is there just to help the dogs. More like, "Look, we're supporting rescues, now shut up."
Mind you, I have seen Disney insert messages other than the movies. For instance, I believe it was Movie Surfers about The Shaggy Dog, they said something about being sure to research a dog's breed before getting one. Kudos.

Mind you, Disney has made movies that were good publicity for some animals. For instance, Ratatouille. Ever since that movie came out, more people have requested and bought rats at the pet store I work for. Those rats were in feeder tanks, going to get sold as snake food. And more people came out and saved them. I know so many rats named Remy and Emille right now. It was one of the few movies made where rats are shown as gentle, social, clean, smart, and caring. Most make rats off as dirty and even evil. Pixar/Disney got a real rat's personality right on the money. That movie probably saved hundreds of rats lives all around the USA, if not the world. It was one of the few movies where you could actually use that as semi-research. One still needs to read some books though about rats all the same. The movie only covered their personalities, not caging requirements, food, etc. All their success at getting a rat's personality down well was because they took the advice of a famous rat owner/breeder.
Where as Finding Nemo, in an ironic twist, pushed the sale of saltwater tanks and clownfish to new heights. The movie showed the fish suffering from various mental defects because of being kept behind glass, Gill went on how they don't like it...and then a bunch of people went out and bought saltwater tanks and clownfish (and the other fish in the tank, who mind you, many of the fish in the dentists tank would kill eachother in real life). Actually, I could probably list 20 things about the dentist's tank that would cause real fish to die, but that is very off topic. So sometimes even when the message is clear as day, "Fish don't like living in tanks", people still went out and bought them anyways. Mind you, I have a fish tank. I'd do saltwater one day, but only captive bred. But it goes to show you even the best intentions can fall flat.

I don't want anyone to feel guilty. Seeing this movie is not going to hurt any dogs. Seeing this movie in no way, shape, or form supports backyard breeding, puppy mills, or pet abandonment. Seeing this movie and using it as "research" for the breed and buying it at a flea market would hurt the dogs. I plan to see this movie, only because my daughter wants to see it. Otherwise, I would have bought it on DVD just for sh**s and giggles.

So long as Disney and other movie companies continues to make 90 minute commercials about breeds, I will continue to speak my mind about the effect they have on those breeds in hopes that people will pick up a book and read about the breed before they impulse buy one.

If people don't want to talk/hear/read my opinions, my username and avatar are clear, they can skip over it.

Oh you're taking your daughter- I plan on taking my nieces to see it. They thought Chloe was so cute all dressed up. I figured since it's coming out so soon there should be some reviews floating around. I found this review - warning though, it does have some spoilers.

That was a good review. Made me feel a little better about seeing it story wise. It will probably be on par with Cats and Dogs. And it was nice to see the reviewer discuss what I have already mentioned here...

X

The Chihuahua Club Of America isn’t thrilled with the idea that Beverly Hills Chihuahua might encourage people to get themselves a little dog, dress it up and then abandon it when it proves to be a snarky little beast with a soft, squishy cranium - and one that’s fond of nipping strangers or digging holes in the carpet. And the film does get mileage out of its doggy fashion before repudiating such absurdities, both in Chloe’s character arc and Monty’s speech. There is some equivocation, though, in the denouement, and closing text pleads for potential pet owners to be responsible and informed. I’m not sure how much heft such an end-note has against the pester power of Chihuahua-crazed kids. Dog shelter managers will be able to settle the argument in about six months.

Glad to see Disney added a note at the end...though if it comes at the very end of the credits, few will see it. But if it comes before the credits, more parents may read it. Too bad they didn't use the above paragraph instead. It described chihuahuas to a T.

I don't know if anyone has seen this video, but:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CS3GiMoAkYA

PixarFan2006 wrote:I don't know if anyone has seen this video, but:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CS3GiMoAkYA

LMFAO! That was awesome, thanks!

I thought you guys might be happy to hear that the movie actually has several shelter dogs in the cast- notably Papi. I found this review which pointed out that the movie promotes adopting shelter dogs. Not to mention it applauds the movie for being entertaining for kids and adults. I think this is shaping up to be a surprise hit.

"But these orgs may want to know that one of the movie's messages is to take in strays, and it also generally advocates the benefits of pet adoption and obligations of pet ownership. Gosnell even used dogs from shelters for the movie - one of the lead Chihuahuas was found in a shelter one day away from being put to sleep - and the studio says it has found homes for them all."

katemonster wrote: "...one of the lead Chihuahuas was found in a shelter one day away from being put to sleep - and the studio says it has found homes for them all."

Awww, I'm really glad to hear they saved the dog and found homes for all of them. That in itself makes me want to see this movie more.

katemonster wrote:I thought you guys might be happy to hear that the movie actually has several shelter dogs in the cast- notably Papi. I found this review which pointed out that the movie promotes adopting shelter dogs. Not to mention it applauds the movie for being entertaining for kids and adults. I think this is shaping up to be a surprise hit.

"But these orgs may want to know that one of the movie's messages is to take in strays, and it also generally advocates the benefits of pet adoption and obligations of pet ownership. Gosnell even used dogs from shelters for the movie - one of the lead Chihuahuas was found in a shelter one day away from being put to sleep - and the studio says it has found homes for them all."

Glad to hear!

Hmm... maybe I'll have to see this after all. It really sounds good...

found even more cute clips of the film. I am not ashamed to admit that I already have plans to see it Friday afternoon!
This clip with Chloe sitting by the pool was my favorite! I love how she thinks Rachel is so irresponsible LOL

I KNEW all along that it wasn't going to be as bad as everyone made it seem. Disney does have a lot of experience making movie, you know. And the big name stars do have a choice as to what script they accept. I can't wait - we're seeing it on Saturday night.

I loved the review.

Considering the first trailer....DISNEY made it look terrible. The new trailers do make it look better and funnier. Disney knows how to make movies yes, but they have quite a few bombs under their belt too. Disney knows how to make blockbuster award winners and they know how to lay a rotten egg too. And just because well known stars sign on doesn't mean it is going to be a masterpiece. Case in point. Pearl Harbor and Waterworld.

My paper gave it a 4 out of 10. They said it was not as good as Babe (obivously) but said it was as good as Alvin and the Chipmunks, which I found laughable.

Delightful! even charming in some places. Some of the dog scenes are magnificent and well staged.

Saw it last night with niece and nephew in tow...It actually was quite enjoyable (its been playing for almost a week now in Australia ) Australian reviewers mostly enjoyed it ( they seemed surpried!) So far the reviews are in and even SOME hardened cynics are generally favorable towards it!

At the end of the day I still hope Disney attempts to re-enter the animal film genre without feeling the need to cartoonify real animals with CGI lipsynching and punctuate every vignette with pop culture and poop jokes.
Although not a comedy, EIGHT BELOW still stands out for me as the quintisential Disney dog movie in a long while.

I hate it when reviewers say "it could be worse". OF COURSE IT COULD BE WORSE!

EVERYTHING CAN BE WORSE!

Is it that hard to say "It could've been better" and then state how...

PixarFan2006 wrote:My paper gave it a 4 out of 10. They said it was not as good as Babe (obivously) but said it was as good as Alvin and the Chipmunks, which I found laughable.

Um...That reviewer has some issues.

Really, you never go into a movie expecting a masterpiece. Babe was the epic story of a pig braving the odds. It was meant to be a literally classic.

BHC is meant to be a fun, kooky, "turn off your brain before the feature" movie that never tries to be "Oscar worthy".

And I still say that BHC is more like the comedies Disney released during the 50s, 60s and 70s, like "Monkey's Uncle". I am sure people hated those movies back in the day, just like people are hating on BHC today.