Episode 237 - SHREK

Somebody once told us the world was gonna roll us, but that was before we found the irreverent inspiration of Shrek. Kevin Chu stops by our swamp to discuss how an ugly ogre underdog turned the tables on Disney-fied fairy tales and launched a massively popular animated franchise/meme factory. Hey now, you're an all-star, so cue this 'cast up and push play!

Shrek (2001)
Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
Written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman
Based on the book by William Steig
Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Vincent Cassel, and John Lithgow

Episode 174 - MULAN

Let's get down to business as we flap our gums about Mulan, the mold-breaking animated classic that loaded the Disney canon with its strongest questioning of gender roles at the time. In several ways, it transmuted the traditional formula that sustained the studio's modern resurgence, while still remaining a reflection of deeply internalized storytelling (and brand) values. The result: a rousing and memorable film that's true to its complex heart.

Kevin Chu brings honor to our pod as we dig into some of the catchiest tunes in the Disney discography, discuss the movie's depictions of Asian culture, and show Mushu a little love. This episode will surely make a man/woman/person out of you!

Mulan (1998)
Directed by Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft
Written by Rita Hsiao, Philip LaZebnik, Chris Sanders, Eugenia Bostwick-Singer, and Raymond Singer
Starring Ming-Na Wen, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer, James Hong, Jerry Tondo, Gedde Watanabe, Harvey Fierstein, Soon-Tek Oh, Pat Morita, George Takei, June Foray, and Eddie Murphy

Episode 141 - MATILDA

Precocious young viewers saw a bit of themselves in Matilda, a dark power fantasy for gifted kids that's softened with eccentric humor and a kind-hearted Mara Wilson performance. It's a movie that delights in the comeuppance of several crooked and cruel authority figures. But the one that really grabs us by our pigtails is Agatha Trunchbull, an iconic villain determined to make sure that you never look at chocolate cake the same way again.

Kevin Chu returns to send us on our way to the golden age of Roald Dahl adaptations. Remember to return your library books, and don't miss this (tele)kinetic episode!

Matilda (1996)
Directed by Danny DeVito
Produced by Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, and Lucy Dahl
Written by Nicholas Kazan and Robin Swicord
Based on Matilda by Roald Dahl
Starring Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Pam Ferris, Embeth Davidtz, Kiami Davael, Tracey Walter, and Paul Reubens

Episode 108 - AIR BUD

For a film about a basketball-playing dog, Air Bud features a shockingly small amount of basketball, instead focusing on disgruntled clowns, mourning families, dissembling janitors, and exasperated judges. It's an exercise in patience as the movie's twin goals of responsible pet ownership and youth sports supremacy inch along in parallel, before finally entangling in a glorious climax that reveals, once and for all, the basketball rulebook's lack of provisions against canine participation.

Kevin Chu, host of the Slurp podcast, makes his WWWW debut to help us identify the maddening yet effective tropes at the heart of this textbook example of family entertainment.

Air Bud (1997)
Directed by Charles Martin Smith
Produced by Robert Vince and William Vince
Written by Paul Tamasay and Aaron Mendelsohn
Starring Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena, Michael Jeter, Eric Christmas, Brendan Fletcher, Bill Cobbs, and "Air Buddy"