Stellaluna Review

All right, folks, we're going to review the 2004 made for video movie, "Stellaluna," based on the best-selling award winning children of the same name by Janell Cannon, who's responsible for making bats look like friendly creatures and making owls into dangerous species, which was all thanks to a suspenseful score by the great Jody Gray, who composed the music for Courage the Cowardly Dog. By the way, I'll will right now mention that Stellaluna, the best-selling book has turned the big 25 this year. And I think now's the right time to review this movie that has stuck with me ever since I bought it at Savers. So let's venture into the Sultry Forest to go see Stellaluna.

Janell Cannon's Stellaluna is in many ways a fabulous 1990's fairy tale. The book aired on the PBS series Reading Rainbow in 1994. On that episode, Anne Jackson narrated the story. It is featured in the 2001 movie I Am Sam. No, not Sam I am. Janell Cannon was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Burton H. and Nancy A. Cannon. She attended Burnsville High School, and graduated in 1975. After high school she moved to California, and from 1981 to 1993 she was a graphic artist for the Carlsbad Library, also, on that year, Janell Cannon began writing for the idea of Stellaluna. She spent most of the book by building up friendship with some satisfying payoffs. By the time Stellaluna was published on April of 1993, it caught the attention of children and parents and teachers everywhere and to this day, continues to be the most popular award-winning children's book. Back in 1998, Rankin/Bass' ever popular "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was turned into a 2D animated movie directed by William R. Kowalchuk. And when Stellaluna came along a few years later, the instant popularity of the book made a film version a no brainier. That means showing intelligence. But the book just couldn't be contained into a theatrical feature, so Scholastic and MGM offered to buy the rights from Janell, to make Stellaluna into a made-for-DVD movie, similar in format to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. When Scholastic producers Deborah Forte and Martha Atwater, everything was all set, with a script written by screenwriters Rachel Koretsky and Stephen Whitestone, who had previously wrote The Pebble and the Penguin, which was directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldmna. And then a filmmaker was hired, William R. Kowalchuk, a Canadian animator and director who originally made a name for himself as the production manager for MASK produced by DIC Entertainment. Kowalchuk went on to direct the highly underrated made-for-video movies such as Camelot: The Legend in 1998, and Ben Hur in 2003. Okay, enough behind the scenes talk, let's get on with the plot.

One night, as Stellaluna's mother followed the scent of ripe fruit, an owl spied her. On silent wings, the powerful bird swooped down upon the bats. Mother Bat tried to escape, but the owl struck again and again, knocking Stellaluna into the air. Her wings were as useless as wet paper, down down she went, faster and faster into the forest below. She lands in a bird's nest, and the three birds, Flitter, Pip, and Flap mistake her for a bird. Stellaluna tries to fit in, reluctantly trying to eat bugs without being disgusted by them. However, the Great White Owl is on the loose when Stellaluna accidentally wakes him up, he tries to seek vengeance on the bat he knocked down a few days before.

I highly doubt that Janell Cannon wasn't at least partly inspired by the infamous killer wolves in Beauty and the Beast when creating this vicious owl who abandoned Stellaluna from her mother.

The success of the made-for-DVD movie relied heavily on the casting of Stellaluna. The producers landed on Canadian voice actress, Chiara Zanni, who originally made a name for herself as the voice of Poky Little Puppy in the 1989 TV Special, Little Golden Book Land, and has spent her career doing usually tomboy related characters in roles like Alex from Camp Candy starring John Candy, Mimi Morton in What About Mimi?, Petunia in Baby Looney Tunes, and the colorful Daring Do on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. So, to me, Chiara Zanni will always be Stellaluna, it sounds like she's having a ball doing this energetic and cowardly character.

During the film's production, director William R. Kowalchuk impressively orchestrated two entirely separate group of actors. American actors and Canadian actors of a bunch, which is no easy task. Flitter, Pip, and Flap were played a group of virtual unknowns while the other characters were played by who's who of recognizable Canadian actors from film and production. Lee Tockar played Askari the Superhero Spider, he would later go on to voice George in 2007's version of George of the Jungle as well as the voice of Snips on Friendship is Magic. Scott McNeil portrays Horatio, a toucan who tries to make Stellaluna look like a real bird. McNeil was also part of the cast of Dragon Ball Z, Friendship is Magic, and Johnny Test, Brenda Crichlow who played the birds' mother, had other roles like an Office Co-Worker in Will Ferrell's Elf and Zecora in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and Kathleen Barr, who played Kasuku is a popular Canadian heartthrob for television, starring in shows like Ed, Edd n Eddy as Kevin and Marie Kanker, Dragon Tales as Wheezie, Kid vs. Kat as Millie, Littlest Pet Shop as Mrs. Twombly, and my personal favorite, Trixie from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Of course, the most recognizable voice among these guys is Blu Mankuma as the voice of the Great White Owl, Mankuma also starred in numerous movies and animated shows, as well as the voice of the red dragon in the Friendship is Magic episode, "Dragon Shy."

Here's a fun fact:  This version was panned by some fans of the original book as "truly unfaithful" and received mixed to negative reviews. Now despite what the critics say, I love this film, but I won't deny that nostalgia is a major factor. While I have read the book before I saw this, I appreciate the movie was able to accomplish, given it's a made-for-DVD. While I will admit that the film is not without its flaws. Specifically the addition of Askari the Spider and the bigger role of the Great White Owl, and the cheesy songs, even though I do like Stellaluna's song before Askari comes onto the screen. I think the filmmakers did all they could with the resources they had, for me though, I've seen this film a lot of times that it doesn't even matter.

It's seems like when it goes for the small scares, it goes really well, like the Owl dodging at the herd of bats, many of these scenes contribute to the film's atmosphere, as does the highly underrated musical score composed by Courage the Cowardly Dog composer, Jody Gray. Gray's compositions give the film an appropriate African tone right from the opening credits. The entire score is exciting, gloomy, and emotional, and you know the Great White Owl is lurking right around the corner, when it starts to become cold, wet, and heavily filled with bass drums and strings. I constant criticism I've noticed suggests that for such a blood-thirsty owl, he doesn't too much out of hooting and laughing at the bats and birds. Scholastic's standards didn't allow the filmmakers to be too severe with showing child birds in danger, which is ironic giving the source material. But they found away to dance around that rule. The Great White Owl corners, hoots, and threatens some of the main characters, but rarely goes in for the kill. This forced the filmmakers to be extra creative with the film's exciting, and some of what they ended up doing was pretty exciting stuff. Sure, the movie is practically "The Goonies" or "Courage the Cowardly Dog" compared to child friendly nature of the original book, but I kind of like it for that.

Over the years, Stellaluna has become the made-for-DVD movie that could. It might not be as well received as other adaptations like Arthur, The Magic School Bus, or Franklin, but from what I've seen, it's a movie that I love despite all the flaws it had. I even put The Great White Owl right up there with the others like the Killer Wolves from Beauty and the Beast, Him from The Powerpuff Girls, and Queen Chrysalis from Friendship is Magic. At the end of the day, the DVD of Janell Cannon's Stellaluna is a great but flawed release of a great but flawed film, and is deserving of a 4 out of 5 stars recommendation, buy it if you run across it.

Character Analysis: The Great and Powerful Trixie

Welcome to a new portion of this blog I would like to call, "Character Analysis." You see, every once in a while, I often think of my favorite characters from my favorite TV shows, and I decided why not expose my thoughts to the world by making a new portion of the blog, simply known as "Character Analysis."

For our first entry, let's take a look at my favorite MLP character, The Great and Powerful Trixie! Or Trixie Lulamoon, or Trixie for short.


So, what can I say about her?




Character Purpose

She originally served as the antagonist of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, serving as somewhat of a show-off who boasts way too much and speaks third-person too much. In her first appearance "Boast Busters," she lied to the audience that she had conquered an Ursa Major, when in reality, I originally thought I didn't like this character because of her villainous role. She came back in "Magic Duel" for another showdown with Twilight Sparkle after Twilight defeated the Ursa Minor oh so long ago. And, with the help of the zebra who goes by the name of Zacura, Twilight wins the magic duel and Trixie loses the battle, serving the proof that seeking revenge is not a good thing and you're better off as a regular magician.

She disappeared for a least two seasons, Seasons 4 and 5. It wasn't until Season 6 when she came back to Ponyville, probably to stay, with a new leaf, and along the way, she befriends Starlight Glimmer down at the Ponyville salon, while Twilight isn't too sure about their friendship, she tries to give Starlight a chance while and at the same time, try to give Starlight other friends, it wasn't until she realizes that she needs to give Starlight the same freedom that Princess Celestia gave her when she made friends to Starlight, and near the end, Starlight Glimmer helped Trixie out with her latest magic act that had something to do with a lion, that episode, "No Second Prances," this made me decide she is indeed my favorite character on Friendship is Magic, next to Spike.

What Do I Like About the Character

What I like about Trixie is that ever since the events of "No Second Prances," Trixie has become a semi-regular on Friendship is Magic, no longer a villain, but a friendly somewhat comical magician, kind of like The Amazing Mumford from Sesame Street, that and the fact that she's voiced by one of my favorite Canadian voice actresses, Kathleen Barr, known more famously for doing the voice of Marie Kanker on Ed, Edd n Eddy. She also toned-down on speaking third-person for quite a bit, mostly speaking first-person like how the other characters do. I even like her line in "All Bottled Up," "Doin' the Spell!" which I think is her magic words, which kind of reminds me of The Amazing Mumford's magic words, "A La Peanut Butter Sandwiches!"

Why Do We Need This Character?

The answer is quite simple. She is a comical magician, and a good friend to Starlight Glimmer. She serves to be a comical magician who can't seem to get her magic tricks right like the Amazing Mumford, she doesn't give up though, you what they say, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again. My favorite appearances she was in for the series were "No Second Prances," "Guitar Centered," and "Uncommon Bond."

I personally like the fact that the writers decided to make her a more nice character more than pure evil after "Magic Duel." And while you do question if that change was necessary, I have to say, yes, it was.

It's also worth mentioning that Trixie appeared in the movie in the background but didn't have any lines for really no reason that make sense to me. I would've been perfectly fine with it, if it weren't that they added her into the background? Would've hurt to give Trixie at least a few lines here or there or just making an introduction to Songbird Serenade or something? Not that it really matters too much, but she IS an element of the show, and it does feel weird to have her in the movie without at least saying one line or so.

Well, that's all the time we have for Character Analysis. Join me sometime later this week for another review, bye.

Ed, Edd n Eddy - "Run for Your Ed"

Now, let's review the episode that came on after "A Case of Ed," and surprisingly, aired the exact same month of February in 2004. It's called, "Run for Your Ed," A take on the old saying "Run for your life!" You can run, but you can't hide from this review.

 Late at night, The Kanker Sisters noticed that someone has broken into their kitchen, and not only that, but they also took their family air loom, the ship in a bottle. Without bothering to call the police, the Kankers decide the next day to wreak havoc on the innocent people of the cul-de-sac of Peach Creek, causing Rolf to hide in his cellar. Meanwhile, Ed has the ship in the bottle stuck on his finger after his sleepwalking stroll. And yes, Ed was the one behind the damage of the Kankers' kitchen, but the trio doesn't have time to worry about that, they have to try to get the bottle of of Ed's swollen finger, while the Kankers terrorize the city. How will this be resolved? Watch and find out.

One thing I should mention is that the Ed Edd n Eddy wiki refers to it as the Destruction of Rethink Avenue. I would also like to point out that this episode kind of reminds me of the 9/11 terrorist attacks from 2001, and strangely enough, this episode came on a few years after that happened. Strange, isn't it? Also, I would like to point out that Kevin never bothered to even beat up the Eds once in this episode, I guess he was still grounded for reasons unknown in "A Case of Ed," but both these episodes are episodic and they belong in their own separate category. At least, the city has been evacuated. I would have to think that the damages would've cost hundreds and thousands of dollars to repair.

Overall, this episode has all of the characters intact, and they all get something to do, and even Sarah knows how to stop the attacks, simply by telling the Kankers where the ship in the bottle is. You know, for a spoiled brat, she knows how to handle situations like this. But either way, this episode is pretty funny, Lee and Marie's lines in the kitchen are quite hilarious as well as their reaction to their ship in a bottle being stolen. The only people who never got injured during their rampage were the three Eds and Rolf who was stuck in the cellar.

All in all, the Kankers did get their ship in a bottle back, and three days had passed, and Rolf still hasn't come out of the cellar.

Watch it if you run across it.

Ed, Edd n Eddy - "A Case of Ed"

Remember when I reviewed Monkey Business? Well, I'm reviewing an Ed, Edd n Eddy episode that is quite similar to this. This is called, "A Case of Ed."

While Kevin is grounded for reasons unknown, Ed and Eddy celebrate his imprisonment. Double D returns from the library after buying some books that were on sale, including the plot important book in question, The Encyclopedia of Obscure Diseases. And Double D finds an interesting one, the Lack-a-Daisy-Cathro Disease, the name obviously has the last name of the show's editor, Ken Cathro. The symptoms are as follows, Rationalising of mundane circumstances, Habitual cleanliness, Abnormal fixation to headwear, and Weakness in lower extremities. Once Double D notices he has all the symptoms, he's convinced he has Lack-a-Daisy Cathro Disease, and Ed and Eddy tease him even more by adding even more symptoms like confusion, spontaneous difference in shoe size, and kicking people. And no, Eddy, rage is not a symptom.

Unlike "Monkey Business," Double D believes all this going on within him due to Ed and Eddy just teasing him, while simultaneously insulting Kevin who is still grounded. Double D could've been more suspicious to realize that this disease's symptoms are just common ailments, ailment means a minor sickness. However, right after Double D does get convinced he has this sort of disease, Eddy at first didn't quite care saying things like "Give it up, Double D, you're about as sick as Ed is." Obviously, if Eddy just tells Double D to go see an actual doctor instead of actually teasing him, then it would've been good enough.

On the plus side, Nazz does cheer Double D up knowing this is all a joke, and I like how Ed uses his toes as puppets in front of Kevin's window, and says to himself "I should be in show business." And once again, the fourth wall is broken in this installment, where Ed looks at the camera and audience and says, "That's some good TV right there." And when a howling sound effect appears out of nowhere, Ed says "I'm turning into a werewolf, Eddy." I wish I could say I felt bad for Eddy and Ed when they got beat up by Kevin near the end, but I can't because they deserved it for all the tricks they've pulled on Double D throughout this episode, which even goes so far as to take Eddy's key to his house and they get a beat down from Kevin and Double D refers to it as Kevin's Pummel Disorder. I still have one question, WHY was Kevin grounded in the first place? Did he call the three Eds dorks too much? Did he bully someone? Did he do something illegal in Peach Creek? Okay, that's all just nitpicking, it's a meh episode.

If you wanna see this plot done better, go read my "Monkey Business" review. Please?

http://vbrunoreviews.blogspot.com/2017/12/hey-arnold-monkey-business.html

Ed, Edd n Eddy - "Momma's Little Ed"

Yep, I wanted to review an Ed, Edd n Eddy episode sooner or later. And that's what I'm going to do right now. Today, I'm reviewing this one, it's called "Momma's Little Ed." A little background, this first aired on April 6, 2001, the same the second Fairly OddParents episode aired, as well as the Invader ZIM episode, "NanoZim." The reason I say this is because both Ed, Edd n Eddy and The Fairly OddParents were both animated by Yeson Animation Studios. Now, with that off my chest, let's begin.

While waiting for Double D to finish his chores to go with Ed and Eddy on their play date, Eddy and Ed decide to sabotage this by making fake notes using Double D's parents' handwriting. For those who don't know, Double D's house is filled with sticky notes, even going so far as to put labels all over his bedroom. It goes up from a disgusting broom lint, to dressing up Rolf's pig, Wilfred in s tuxedo, and even up to the point of asking for a cup of sugar from the Kankers. Double D, now frightened and exhausted from all these ridiculous requests decides to stay with Eddy, much to Eddy's disappointment, and the episode ends on a happy note.

Much like its predecessor, Wish You Were Ed, this plot is all over the place, but in a good way, but unlike Wish You Were Ed, this one doesn't even bother to bring up a scam, not every episode needs a scam you know. The fourth wall is broken once again in this episode stating that Kevin was not even in this episode, which is true, and besides I'm not a fan of that character that Kathleen Barr voiced. But I am a fan of her other character she voiced, Marie Kanker, she would later use that voice for my favorite character from MLP: Friendship is Magic, The Great and Powerful Trixie. The reason I say she's my favorite is because since Season 6, Trixie has become a semi-regular of some sorts.

Okay, back on track. The final verdict? This episode is really funny! Especially with the ridiculous requests Ed and Eddy pull on Double D, and even Rolf and the Kankers' appearances were well timed as well. Eddy also regrets kicking Double D out of his own house, mostly because it was mostly Ed's fault for destroying his mirror ball, and speaking of which, as always, Ed is enjoyably stupid and funny, at least he never got flanderized. Know why? Because Danny Antonucci, the creator and director of the show never created the character to make him more stupid, Ed is just a slightly dim-witted person. Overall, this episode has a nice moral, don't leave behind your friends, even if you were the one tricking them. Eddy had to learn that out the hard way.