Funny and heartwarming- It’s Noelle on Disney +, It’s Sunday night again!!

Noelle-Official Trailer — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBDnQkQUTGU

I just finished watching Noelle (2019) on Disney + with my mom. She just turned 91 in November. And as I teared up several times I gave a lotta thought to the message in this really fun and uplifting film. It’s actually a family comedy that deals with Kris Kringles daughter, Noelle(Anna Kendrick) as she is charged with keeping an eye out for her brother Nick(Bill Hader). He himself is set to be next in line to pick up the mantle of who? Aw you guessed it Santa.

The story really takes off after Noelle suggests to Nick after some very trying moments in his Santa training that maybe he should take a vacation , get away for a few days just like it says to do in all the magazines she reads. Noelle loves magazines(her way of staying “in touch” with what’s hip. Remember living in the North Pole isn’t exactly the”real” world.. walking in to a restaurant there you order something , you drink ,you get,leave…no check…

Below- Town Meeting discussing nicks “disappearance”

After her suggestion the “snow” really hits the fan. Noelle is in huge trouble because Nick really leaves and it’s only a few days before Christmas…like no Santa Claus. And where is a North Pollian to go. Phoenix -Arizona. Perpetual sunshine. It’s up to Noelle, Nanny Elf/Aunt Polly and a team of 8 “reindeer with Donner in the lead. Trying not to reveal where she is from and hiring a private detective, Jake Hapman (Kingsley Ben Adir) to help her find her brother seems as if it should all be in the bag. But trying to get by with no money and explaining a team of reindeer. Is a little stand outish. Even Noelle trying to kid Helen(Diana Maria Riva) who is the manager of Petco about her crush on a mall employee is hilarious.

What makes this such fun is the fish out of water theme and the pressure of doing something that is just expected of you or assumed that you will want to as in carry on the family tradition(s). There is also breaking gender assumed roles… And when it comes to presents.. best to get the gift that fits the person, sometimes it could be just as simple as showing up for dinner. The sets are sure to delight the young ones like myself.

And the cast is a joy like the season upon us is filled with. Anna Kendrick turns in an amazing performance who exuberates an upbeat, can do attitude with energy and joy. Something that is hard to maintain on a set and in between takes. As for Bill Hader, he turns a “in-self denial” heir to the Kringle legacy into a yoga loving “Santa” who finds himself thru meditation. Hader shines with roles like this.

Look for Shirley Maclaine(Polly) as a somewhat feisty nanny/aunt elf who is a little harsh on the outside but deep down has a heart of gold. Julie Hagerty(Airplane) as Mrs Claus, and Michael Gross(Family Ties TV /Tremors) as Elder Elve Abe in supporting roles. Directed by Marc Lawrence worked on Family Ties and has directed several films starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant including Two Weeks Notice, Music and Lyrics and Miss Congeniality.

I say make sure you check out this wonderful, smart film. It will have you laughing and bring a little tears to your eyes or at least put that lump in your throat that you get from feeling emotional at the holidays in a good way. This is an original movie produced for the Disney + streaming service.

Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmI7WKrAtqs

Hey while your there on Disney + make sure you take in all the rest of the incredible programming from originals like the new hit series The Mandalorian. A fresh new take on Star Wars . The show set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Remember it’s in a galaxy far far away in a long time ago…are you so sure. Maybe we are the remnants of that lost time-could be.

Above- pay special attention to the drawings behind Jeff-each one represents the theme to one of the episodes in the series. I personally can’t wait until we get to the one on coffee.

Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7aN9OkNl7U

There is The World According to Jeff Goldblum. The series is fun,quirky and extremely entertaining and you just might learn something about: sneakers, bbq, ice cream and the fascinating realm of jeans as in blue jeans. How many people a day where jeans? Well you’ll just have to watch to find out. It might amaze you as to the answer. No spoilers here.

How learning about the mouse as in Walt Disney his dreams and where the Disney Imagineering folks are headed,fi so and this is loaded with a plethora of behinds the scenes trivia and places where no one has gone before… and no we are not talking the 23rd century that’s another network… we are talking the world of theme parks…it’s all here in The Imagineering Story -a weekly series. Narrated by Angela Bassett and was produced by Leslie Iwerks who has won several awards in the documentary field..She is the daughter of Don Iwerks and granddaughter of Ub Iwerks-both are legendary in the entertainment and animation field. So get out your sketchbooks to draw and journals- it time to take some notes . Who knows maybe you’ll be a future WED designer. Lots of storyboards and models paved the way for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and beyond.

Disney + is also the home to the National Geographic, the Disney vault(Robin Hood, Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty) , classics -

Trailer- Mary Poppins(1964)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOfH7uEojKk

Mary Poppins, newly remastered in HD both 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Kirk Douglas and James Mason) & The Black Hole(Robert Forster).

-Japanese release poster-20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Trailer for Journey to — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmgJDlwmM_k

Also streaming for the first time titles from the recently acquired Fox movie library including Home Alone, The Sandlot, Journey to the Center of the Earth(1959),

the much beloved musical The Sound of Music(Julie Andrews) and Miracle on 34th Street 1947 (Maureen O’Hara and a young Natalie Woods).

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Not to mention Marvel(Avengers:Endgame, Ant Man, Doctor Strange) and vintage Disney and Disney Channel programming. They have also re-launched special editions of The Wonderful World of Disney- Christmas at Disney World — a live action/animated version showing of The Little Mermaid. with all this there is never a shortage of fantastic entertainment and the Disney magic…

Oh and if you want to relive those golden days spending the afternoon at the bijou,why not stream a a Disney short before the feature film… look for Tugboat Mickey and

The Hockey Champ starring Donald Duck and his nephews.

I am loving the service and there is so much more to come…who knows…Now if they can just get all those classic Wonderful World of Disney/Color episodes out of the archives/vault, The Amazing Spider Man (1967) animated series plus The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet- I will be ecstatic.

Link for Disney (+) Plus- https://www.disneyplus.com/-ask for the bundle package…

What’s coming in March 2020- https://d23.com/everything-new-you-can-stream-on-disney-plus-in-march-2020/

Later in 2020- Falcon and The Winter Soldier August, December WandaVision- and Loki 2021- trailer below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=62EB4JniuTc&feature=emb_logo

So “kids” see ya real soon. Why? because we like you…

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.