Well, we’re finally here: the season 7 finale of The Black Case Diaries. We’d like to thank every person that joined us over the last few months! We could not and would not do this without you. So, to give you an extra special treat this Halloween, we’ve decided to cover not one, but TWO Halloween classics in one episode! That’s right, it’s the first-ever BCD Double Feature! We reached into our trick-or-treat bag and pulled out two very, very different movies. One was released in theaters, while the other was made for TV. One has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, while the other sits at a dismal 17%. One of these films is live-action and the other is a classically animated masterpiece. However, these two pieces of spooky media hold a special place in our hearts. They are: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie, Brown! And Ernest Scared Stupid.
Welcome ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and whoever else has stumbled upon our show! This is our annual (Brief) Case Around the Campfire! Come laugh (and shiver) with us as we tell some spooky tales about our home state of Ohio.
We’ve seen movies based on books, comic books, fairy tales, myths, and even songs. But this week, we’re looking into another Disney film that was based on a theme park ride! Last year, we did an episode on The Hollywood Tower of Terror, a 1997 made-for-TV film based on an iconic ride at Walt Disney World (the one at Walt Disney Land is no more.) Since Tower of Terror made its debut, Disney has produced several films based on some of its most popular theme park attractions, the most successful being Pirates of the Caribbean. In the Fall of 2003, Disney released a live-action film based on its spookiest ride: The Haunted Mansion.
Everyone knows that Tim Burton is one of the spookiest men in Hollywood (in the best way). His films are known for their signature mix of offbeat comedy and creepy visuals. Even when he makes a film that isn’t necessarily frightening, he still finds a way for it to match his strange aesthetic.
This film is just the thing to get you into the Halloween holiday spirit. So, hold onto your rings and don’t make any vows that you don’t intend to keep, it’s time to fall in love with The Corpse Bride!
The summer light is fading, and the cool air of Autumn is in our midst. Stores are placing swimsuits on clearance racks, Spirit Halloween has already set up shop in empty retail spaces, and the evening air smells like wood smoke. So, as we prepare ourselves for the spookiest time of the year, let’s take a look at one of America’s first ghost stories: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
So, this week we are taking a look at this staple in American literature, and all the ways that the story has been adapted over the years! So, turn out the lights and gather close by the fireplace, it’s time to hear about the Legend(s) of Sleepy Hollow!
Based on the novel by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic is an endearing story about love and sisterhood, with a dash of homicide and a pinch of demonic possession. With striking 90s fashion and two irresistible leading ladies, it’s everything you could possibly want from a film about small-town witchcraft.
So, gather some ingredients and light some candles, it’s time to cast some spells with The Owens Sisters in Practical Magic.
Summer is winding down which can only mean one thing…It’s almost time for FALL. We love getting spooky here at the BCD, so we’ve decided to get a jumpstart on the season with an episode about the creepiest, cookiest family around: The Addams Family!
Whether it was in a sitcom, cartoon series, movie, or comic strip, chances are you have seen The Addams Family. This strange and loving group of weirdos has managed to remain in mainstream pop culture for well over a half-century appearing in several adaptations. This week, we’re learning where this fascinating family came from and why we’re still talking about them today.
So grab your most hideous clothes and let’s get positively ghoulish with The Addams Family.
They knew that if Walt thought it was possible, then they better find a way to make it happen.
The result was, of course, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; the film that launched countless others. Snow White is not only one of the most important animated films ever made, it’s one of the most important films in cinema history. It made an indelible mark on cinema, and set a standard for animation to which films today still aspire. So, as we continue on in August, get ready to sing, dance, and fall in love with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
In the Spring of 1987, director Stephen Hereck and the rest of the production team fought to get their film finished. It was a time-traveling buddy comedy with off-beat jokes called Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Facing all sorts of problems, the movie almost never came to be. But, not only did it make it to the big screen, it achieved cult classic status as one of the most beloved time travel films of all time!
So, hop in the phone booth with us as we regale you with the most bodacious history of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure!
Time Bandits is, as its creators say, “intelligent enough for children and exciting enough for adults.” It presents a warped, childlike view of history with strange and fascinating characters; like thugs that spit every two seconds and can rip off limbs in a single tug, or a main antagonist that goes by the name “Evil.” It emphasizes the importance of imagination and the dangers of technology, especially in the wrong hands.
So, come join us on a trip through the ages as we follow the travels of the Time Bandits!
Almost 100 years after Wells’ concept was put into print, writer and producer Bob Gale was visiting his parents when he came across his father’s yearbook. Flipping through the pages of his parents’ past made him wonder if he would have been friends with his dad in high school–and then he wondered, what would it be like to find out? With a screenplay idea in mind, Gale spoke to his friend Robert Zemeckis. The two had already been working on a concept for a time travel movie with an eccentric professor character, but they couldn’t make the story work. With this new idea, the two started writing one of the most iconic films of the 20th century: Back to the Future.
So, let’s hop on our skateboards and swing back to Hill Valley in 1985 (and 1955) and learn what it takes to get back to the future.
Dinosaurs are now a mainstream staple thanks to many depictions over the years: comics, novels, films, and more. There is one film, however, that stands above the rest that truly put dinosaurs on the map. Not only did this movie inspire a love of dinosaurs across generations of fans, but it also changed filmmaking forever. You all know what movie that is.
Hold onto your butts. Welcome to the case of Jurassic Park!
How to Train Your Dragon is considered by many to be the best film that Dreamworks Animation has in its collection. In fact, Rotten Tomatoes ranks it as their highest-rated film from the studio out of 42 features. It’s a beautiful story about friendship, filled with humor and absolutely breathtaking music. And, of course, this movie has a LOT of dragons.
So come ride with us to the Land of Berk, as we learn about How to Train Your Dragon.
Our original idea for this episode was to talk about one of the first animes to gain success with American audiences: Speed Racer. But, as we had difficulty finding information on the show, we decided to make our topic a little broader. So, instead of focusing on just one TV show or movie, this week we are covering the history of Anime’s rise to popularity in The United States!
In the summer of 2016, writer and director Makoto Shinkai introduced the world to one of the most beloved anime films of the decade. With several beautiful and successful films under his belt, the animator was already a well-known voice in animation. However, this film would surpass them all commercially, becoming one of the highest-grossing anime films of all time.
Well, last week we outlined the first half of our Top 10 Studio Ghibli movies! This week, AniMAY continues with the second half, as we count down our top five choices for our favorite Studio G movies. So, let’s just jump right into it with number five!
Well, Animation April is over, but that doesn’t mean that we have to stop talking about animation! This year, we decided to extend our animation discussion into the next month and celebrate aniMAY!
Every year during Animation April, we like to highlight the work of a different animation studio. Last year, we talked about the short-lived Amblimation, Steven Spielberg’s defunct animation studio that pre-dated Dreamworks. This year, we’re covering another defunct studio that was responsible for several animation classics over the course of 20 years.
So far this month we’ve talked about the classical animation of Don Bluth, and the computer-generated animation from Blue Sky Studios. But today, we’re covering one of the most interesting and (and possibly creepiest) animation types out there: Motion Capture!
It's April once again, which means it's time to talk about animation. We're thrilled to say that our season premiere is actually in response to a fan request! Yvette Morales suggested that we cover this film, so THANK YOU, Yvette!
