The Family Reviews Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Describe it in 25 words or less.

Pete: The true story of Helen Goff (AKA P.L. Travers) and her dealings with Walt Disney in adapting Mary Poppins from book to film.

Brigette: A dramatization of the making of the Disney film Mary Poppins.

Morgan: The story behind the Disney film adaptation of “Mary Poppins”.

Gable: The history of Mary Poppins, the author’s refusal and all the trouble Walt Disney went through to make it work.

Genre:

Pete: Biography

Brigette: Drama/Biopic

Morgan: Drama/Family/Comedy

What did you think of the poster and/or credit art?

Pete: I love the poster with the morphed shadows.

Brigette: The end credits were very well done.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pete: Ralph because of his charm.

Brigette: Aunt Ellie because she always knew what to do.

Morgan: Walt Disney because he always looked on the bright side and was simply awesome.

Gable: Walt Disney because he was positive, witty, and wise. Who doesn’t love Walt Disney?

Who was your least favorite character and why?

Pete: In the end I failed to find one.

Brigette: P.L. Travers because she allowed her past to turn her into a person so unhappy that she made everyone around her unhappy as well.

Morgan: Mrs. Travers because she was so disagreeable and stubborn.

Gable: P. L. Travers because, even though she had good sides, she was a bit too stubborn for my liking.

How was the casting?

Pete: Brilliant, I especially loved Paul Giamatti’s role.

Did it grab you immediately or did it take a while?

Pete: It did grab me immediately and the cinematography and storyline sequencing kept it very interesting throughout.

Brigette: I was intrigued even before seeing it and it did not disappoint.

Morgan: The fact that it said “Australia” on the opening scene caught my attention right away!

Gable: It was somewhat interesting at the beginning but it turned out to have so much more feeling and humor than I expected it to have.

Favorite quote:

Pete: “You can stay there until you learn the art of subtly.” – Pamela Travers

Brigette: “Young man, if it is your ambition to handle ladies garments, may I suggest you take employment at a launderette?” – Mrs. P.L. Travers

Morgan: “Stop saying money! It’s a filthy, disgusting word.” – Mrs. Travers

Gable: “You think the female of the species has some sort of psychic insight when it comes to others of her kind? We don’t.” – Tommie

How was the soundtrack?

Pete: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Brigette: Thomas Newman does an excellent job and delivers all of the Mary Poppins favorites. Listen to it on YouTube here.

How was the ending?

Pete: Cathartic and I’ll admit that I cried.

Brigette: Incredibly sad.

Morgan: It got me a bit choked up.

Gable: It was a sweet and touching ending and it took all my might not to cry.

What was the moral of the story?

Pete: Tell your story and let it go.

Brigette: If you can’t heal the past, you need to re-imagine it in order to move on.

Morgan: Get over the problems in your past to enjoy the present.

Gable: Just doing one thing and getting it over and done with is sometimes not enough to get it all out. Sometimes you need to make a big deal out of it and then let it go.

Did you learn anything?

Pete: A lot about P.L. Travers and a little about Walt Disney.

Gable: A few tidbits about Walt Disney, P.L. Travers, and the making of Mary Poppins and what it all really meant to the author.

Who would you recommend it to?

Pete: Anyone who has ever seen Mary Poppins or read any of P.L. Travers’ books.

Brigette: People who think their past traumas don’t affect them.

Morgan: Those who need a good cry, those interested in the making of “Mary Poppins” or those who have problems from their childhood that are yet to be overcome.

Gable: People who love Mary Poppins and Disneyland.

Won’t Eat Their Cereal Opportunity: Emma Thompson Won’t Eat Her Cereal

Recipe: Learn how to make the perfect cup of tea.

Beer pairing: (Pete’s specialty) Any of the beers from Banks’s Brewing.

Artwork:

(source)

Color Palette: (Morgan’s specialty)

Favorite Architectural Detail: (Pete’s other specialty)
The first Goff family home in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia

How much do you want to know about the personal life of your favorite author?

The Family Reviews Treasure Planet

Treasure Planet

Describe it in 25 words or less.

Pete: A young man goes in search of a mysterious treasure in order to save his home.

Brigette: A steampunked Treasure Island.

Morgan: A story of a young man who goes in search of a planet called Treasure Planet.

Gable: A teenage boy gets on a boat in the sky with a band of pirates and a female captain in search of endless treasure.

Genre:

Pete: Family/Adventure

Brigette: Animated/Family/Adventure

Morgan: Action/Family/Disney

Gable: Adventure/Animated/Family

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pete: Captain Amelia because of her confidence.

Brigette: B.E.N. because he liked a good hug.

Morgan: Long John Silver because he cared about Jim.

Gable: Morph because it (yes, that’s right. It was an it not a she or a he) was cute.

Who was your least favorite character and why?

Pete: Scroop because he was scary.

Brigette: Scroop because he was evil mean.

Morgan: Scroop because he was creepy.

Gable: Scroop because he was evil. Really evil!

Did it grab you immediately or did it take a while?

Pete: It grabbed me immediately and it was exciting to watch throughout.

Brigette: It grabbed me immediately and was exciting and interesting enough to make it enjoyable throughout.

Morgan: Had me immediately and had me the whole way through!

Gable: Immediately.

Favorite quote:

Pete: “You give up a few things chasing a dream.” – John Silver

Brigette: “I’m an astronomer, not a doctor! I mean, I am a doctor but not that kind of doctor! I have a doctorate; it’s not the same thing. You can’t help people with a doctorate, you just sit there and you’re useless!” – Doctor Doppler

Morgan & Gable: “You’ve got the makins of greatness in ya but you gotta take the helm and chart your own course; stick to it no matter the squalls. And when the time comes you take the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you’re made of. Well, I hope I’m there catchin’ some of the light comin’ off you that day.” – Long John Silver

How was the soundtrack?

Brigette: If you’re a Johnny Rzeznik fan, then you’ll enjoy the songs below.
Always Know Who You Are
I’m Still Here (Jim’s Theme)

How was the ending?

Pete: Rewarding, but predictable.

Brigette: Very happy.

Morgan: Classic but perfect!

Gable: I cried at the end. It was very heart-warming and bittersweet. A little unexpected, too, but also a little expected because it’s a Disney film.

What was the moral of the story?

Pete: Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams.

Brigette: Everyone deserves a second chance.

Morgan: To believe in yourself.

Who would you recommend it to?

Pete: Anyone with a dream or a love of treasure.

Brigette: Steampunk fans and people who like classic literature reinterpreted as only Disney can.

Morgan: Disney fans or people who like high-action films where pirates, outer space and Disney are combined.

Gable: People who are interested in pirates, people who love Disney movies, little boys, kids of divorce, or teenagers who feel like they mean nothing to everyone they know.

Beer pairing: (Pete’s specialty)

Anything with Galaxy hops or Anchorage Brewing’s Galaxy White IPA.

Favorite Architectural Detail: (Pete’s other specialty)
Moon Space Port

What is the biggest thing you’ve had to give up in order to chase a dream?