January 30th, 2004
'The Miracle'
Starring: Kurt Russell, Eddie Cahill, Patricia Clarkson, Patrick O'Brien Dempsey, Noah Emmerich, Eric-Peter Kaiser, Michael Mantenuto, Kenneth Mitchell, Nathan West
Storyline: This is the true story of coach Herb Brooks (Russell), who in 1980 had the distinction of having been the last player cut from the U.S. hockey team the last time the team won the Gold at the Olympics (in 1960). Brooks got his chance at being part of a medal-winning team, however, when he led the U.S. hockey team to victory over the Soviets (who had won the medal the last four times: 1976, 1972, 1968, and 1964 since that 1960 U.S. win) at the 1980 Winter Olympics (at Lake Placid) despite overwhelming odds. For a country still entangled in a decades-long "Cold War" with the U.S.S.R., the sports victory was seen as patriotic and symbollic of "our side" beating "their side".
February 6th, 2004
'Teacher's Pet: The Movie'
Starring: (voices of) Nathan Lane, Shaun Flemming, Rob Paulsen, Debra Jo Rupp, Wallace Shawn, David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Stiller
Storyline: This is the story of a dog, Spot (Lane), that is so curious about the world that he has taught himself how to read, and sneaks to school with his master, Leonard (Flemming), where he poses as a human, Scott, so he can expand his awareness and education. Other than that, not much is currently known about this feature film version of the TV show, except that it will be song-heavy, many of which will spoof songs from other Disney feature films. David Ogden Stiers provides the voice of Leonard's cat; Stiller provides the voice of a bird. One rumored premise is that the film may take place during summer vacation, and involve a vacation trip to Florida (possibly Walt Disney World?).
Unknown 2004
'Emporer Zehnder'
Starring: Richard Gere (he's the only known cast member yet)
Storyline: Set in Antarctica, this epic romance tells the story of Bruno P. Zehnder (Gere), a restless photographer of penguins who struggled with the pressures of expressing his art within the most strenuous of circumstances, along with a personal battle to keep Antarctica free and pure.
NOTE: The true story of photographer Bruno P. Zehnder (1945-1997), based upon a 17 page article, "Death Among the Emperors", by Ned Zeman, in Vanity Fair (January, 2000). The "P" stands for "Penguin" (the title refers to emperor penguins). Zehnder died during his 22nd expedition to Antarctica, during a blizzard, doing what he loved best... photographing penguins.
November 5th, 2004
'The Incredibles'
Starring: (the voices believe it or not, have not been released yet even though a trailer has!)
Storyline: This film's story revolves around the dysfunctional family problems that come up when everyone works together as a superteam called the Incredibles. Specifically, the Incredibles are a family of superheroes trying to live a quiet life in the suburbs (placed there by the Witness Protection program to hide them from one of their supervillains) who find themselves called into action to save the world, led by the pater familias, Mr. Incredible, whose better days as a superhero appear to be behind him.
NOTE: The trailer from Finding Nemo is Online at Pixar's Website supposedly. Here's a link for the Quicktime movie:
http://bvim-qt.vitalstream.com/TheIncre ... n_1500.mov
And here's a link to a Site:
http://www.pixar.com/theater/trailers/i ... r_480.html
Unknown 2004 (summer)
'Home On The Range'
Starring: (voices of) Judi Dench, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Jessica Parker, Randy Quaid, David Burnham, Ja'Net DuBois, Gregory Jbara.
Storyline: Set in the wild west, this is the story of a herd of cows who, um, herd together to save the farm/ranch. This is the story of a family farm inhabited by a widow (Parker), her young daughter, and various and sundry farm animals. The widow owes 1000.00 mortgage on the farm and has no way to pay for it, and the cows get wind of the trouble. Fearing that they'll be sold to the local meat- packing plant, the cows, led by Dame Judi Dench (!) seek to find a way to earn the money. Enter the family horse, played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. He used to belong to a bounty hunter, and knows a great way to save the farm. You see, he's heard that in the nearby town, there's a bandit afoot (Randy Quaid), with a 1000.00 bounty on his head.
NOTE: Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Aladdin) is returning to write all the songs. This will be a full-blown musical. One where the characters sing and everything. I don't think disney characters have broken into song sing Mulan.
FURTHER NOTE: Disney Plans on Revamping Frontierland and incorporating attractions based on this film it it!
That's all for now, my fingers are getting tired. (whew!)
