The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

Let’s go over the rainbow to the wonderful world of Oz and follow the tale of Dorothy Gale as she goes on a quest to find the Wizard of Oz, who can take her back to her beloved Kansas after being picked up by a twister.

This movie truly is full of some of my favorite songs, most of which can only be improved by a ukulele. The movie is great; there is no denying that, I don’t even mind the fact that Dorothy is slightly naive and gullible.

But there is something that does get on my nerves about Dorothy, and that is her relationship with Toto. He seems like a lovely dog and I understand just as much as anyone that the love for a pet can be incredibly strong. But in the beginning of the movie, Toto bit someone. That isn't really okay and Dorothy even admits that it is her fault Toto bit Miss Gulch yet goes unpunished. And, her love for the dog seems to be such a strong driving force that she runs away from home.

Unfortunately I have never had a dog of my own so I find it hard to relate to this love, but there is one thing in this movie I find very relatable, Munchkins!

Way Out West.

Way Out West.

One in a long line of Laurel and Hardy films, we find the comedy duo on an adventure in the Wild West. The two gullible business men find themselves entrusted with the task of bestowing the deed of a wealthy gold mine to one Miss. Mary Roberts, it’s just a shame that there are schemers about.

I honestly didn't know what to expect from this movie, other than a black and white slapstick comedy.  After all it’s the sort of comedy that gets funnier the more of the genre you watch. As far as I'm aware Laurel and Hardy have a lot of reoccurring jokes that span across their many films, most of which I sure have gone over my head since this is the first of their films I've seen. But that doesn't mean it isn't still very funny as a standalone piece.

The story-line is very simple and I found myself wondering how on earth they managed to make a 65 minute film from simply trying to recover a stolen deed. Then it hit me.

Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs

"Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs" is a classic, not only for its animation but also most importantly DWARFS! DWARFS! The only thing that any film will ever need to be great.

I think it’s safe to assume that everyone knows the tale of Snow White, but just in case:  Evil Queen has a magic mirror, mirror tells the Queen she is not as beautiful as Snow White. The Queen orders a huntsman to kill her. The huntsman can’t bring himself to do it and lets her go. She finds herself in the company of seven dwarfs, but while they are at work the Evil Queen appears as an old hag.  She gives Snow an apple that puts her to sleep.  The Queen dies and the dwarfs mourn Snow. Sometime later a Prince appears and kisses her. She wakes up and lives happily ever after.

Dwarfs aside this was one of the first in a long line of full-length, coloured Disney films.  It is strange to think that my own grandmother went to see Snow White in the cinema when it was a NEW release, and that her father (my great grandfather) fell asleep half way through.  I imagine that this happened in the first 20 minutes or so as even I found it painfully boring. After all the first 20 minutes are dwarfless.

With the dwarfs nowhere in sight I found myself playing a new game I like to call Snow White Logic, it is simply a list of all the illogical nonsense that happened between the opening credits and her meeting the dwarfs, here we go:

Welcome to Woopsy Reviews!

Welcome to Woopsy Reviews!

100 of great films as determined by this fantastic book I was given by my Aunt many moons ago. 

Ever month I will take 10 films, of one genre and write a review right here on this brand new blog. Along side that I will be ending each month with a 10-15 minute video on my YouTube channel: November Storm

This month I am starting off gently with 10 great family films:
Snow White and Seven Dwarfs
Way out West
The Wizard of Oz
It's a Wonderful Life
Star Wars
E.T
Home Alone
The Lion King
Toy Story
The Lord of the Rings