Deconstructing Disney

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel discuss Pixar’s first princess movie, Brave (2012), debating whether protagonist Merida is a feminist icon or just another subjugated female character. Of course, no trip to these fictional Scottish highlands would be complete without mentions of ableism and heterosexism. 

Episode Bibliography

Andrews, M., & Chapman, B. (Directors). (2012). Brave [Film]. Pixar Animation Studios. 

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Brave Director Brenda Chapman Responds to Merida Coronation. (2013, May 13). Woman and Hollywood. https://womenandhollywood.com/brave-director-brenda-chapman-responds-to-merida-coronation/

Brave | Pixar Wiki | Fandom. (n.d.). Pixar Wiki. https://pixar.fandom.com/wiki/Brave

Brenda Chapman. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Chapman

Brigante, R. (2013, April 29). Merida To Become 11th Disney Princess In Royal Coronation Ceremony At Walt Disney World On May 11. Inside the Magic. https://insidethemagic.net/2013/04/merida-to-become-11th-disney-princess-with-new-look-for-royal-coronation-ceremony-at-walt-disney-world-on-may-11/

Brigante, R. (2013, May 15). Exclusive: Disney bravely responds to Merida makeover outrage, says 2D new look was for “limited” use only. Inside the Magic. https://insidethemagic.net/2013/05/exclusive-disney-bravely-responds-to-merida-makeover-outrage-says-2d-new-look-was-for-limited-use-only/

Chapman, B. (2012, August 14). Stand Up for Yourself, and Mentor Others. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/14/how-can-women-gain-influence-in-hollywood/stand-up-for-yourself-and-mentor-others

Danckaert, C. (2013, May 10). Say No to the Merida Makeover and Keep Our Hero Brave! A Mighty Girl. https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=3253

Debruge, P. (2012, June 10). Brave. Variety. https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/brave-1117947728/

Dundes, L. (2020). The upshot on princess Merida in Disney/Pixar’s Brave: Why the tomboy trajectory is off target. Humanities, 9(3), 83. Doi: 10.3390/h9030083

Ebert, R. (2012, June 12). The story of a plucky honorary boy movie review. Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/brave-2012

Friedman, J. (2012, June 26). From Snow White to Brave: the evolution of the Action Princess | Jaclyn Friedman. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/26/snow-white-brave-evolution-action-princess

Giardina, C. (2013, February 8). Pixar's Braintrust on the Making of 'Brave' and the Studio's First Princess. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pixars-braintrust-making-brave-studios-419511/

Griffin, A. (2011, December 8). Brenda Chapman Interview Part II: Brave. Pixar Portal. https://www.pixarportal.com/blog/brenda-chapman-interview-part-two-brave

Griffin, A. (2012, August 6). Brenda Chapman Leaves Pixar for Lucasfilm. Pixar Portal. https://www.pixarportal.com/blog.php?id=brenda-chapman-leaves-pixar-for-lucasfilm

Harrison, M. (2016, April 22). Mark Andrews and Katherine Sarafian interview: on making Brave. Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/mark-andrews-and-katherine-sarafian-interview-on-making-brave/

Hine, B., England, D., Lopreore, K., Horgan, E. S., & Hartwell, L.  (2018). The rise of the androgynous princess: Examining representations of gender in prince and princess characters of Disney movies released 2009–2016. Social Sciences, 7, 245-268. doi: 10.3390/socsci7120245

Kapurch, K. (2016). Something Else Besides a Daughter? Maternal Melodrama Meets Postfeminist Girlhood in Tangled and Brave. The Lion and the Unicorn, 40, 39-61.

Koehler, D.S. (2015, June 15). Off to the highlands: Pixar’s Brave and the allure of Scotland to the American imagination [Blog Post]. Of Myths and (Hu)Men: Myth and Ritual of our Time. https://mythicbliss.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/off-to-the-highlands-pixars-brave-and-the-allure-of-scotland-to-the-american-imagination/

Leader, C. F. (2018). Magical manes and untamable tresses: (en)coding computer-animated hair for the post-feminist Disney princess. Feminist Media Studies, 18(6), 1086-1101. doi: 10.1080/14680777.2017.1390688

Lussier, G. (2012, April 13). Exclusive: Katherine Sarafian, Producer Of Pixar's 'Brave,' Talks Director Controversy, Pixar's Reaction To The Chilly 'Cars 2' Reception And More. SlashFilm. https://www.slashfilm.com/520674/film-interview-katherine-sarafian-producer-pixars-brave-talks-controversy-marketing-cars-2-reactions/

Lussier, G. (2012, May 16). /Film Interview: Mark Andrews, Director Of Pixar's 'Brave'. SlashFilm. https://www.slashfilm.com/520673/film-interview-mark-andrews-director-pixars-brave/

Maltin, L. (2012, June 22). Brave—movie review. Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy. https://web.archive.org/web/20130915031854/http://blogs.indiewire.com/leonardmaltin/bravemovie-review

Marcotte, A. (2012, July 3). The Shocking Radicalism of “Brave”. The American Prospect. https://prospect.org/2012/07/03/shocking-radicalism-brave/

McCarthy, T. (2012, June 10). Brave: Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/brave-film-review-335633/

Ness, M. (2018, February 1). Pixar and a Disney Princess: Brave. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/pixar-and-a-disney-princess-brave/

Papamichali, O., Kalachanis, K., Dimitrijević, M.S. (2022). The bear mythology: An enduring archetypical tale of feminine empowerment, adulthood and motherhood. Graeco-Latina Brunensia, 27(2), 101-111. doi: 10.5817/GLB2022-2-7 

Paraschaki, L. (n.d.). Will-o’-the-wisp. Folklore Scotland. https://folklorescotland.com/will-o-the-wisp/

PR Newswire. (2012, May 21). Sounds Of The Highlands; Disney-Pixar's "Brave" Transports Moviegoers to Ancient Scotland with Oscar®-Nominated Composer Patrick Doyle, Plus Performers Julie Fowlis and Birdy [with Mumford & Sons]. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sounds-of-the-highlands-disney-pixars-brave-transports-moviegoers-to-ancient-scotland-with-oscar-nominated-composer-patrick-doyle-plus-performers-julie-fowlis-and-birdy-with-mumford--sons-152256415.html

Radulovic, P. (2018, December 17). Prince of Egypt director Brenda Chapman: ‘We wanted to do something that reached more adults’. Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/17/18131286/the-prince-of-egypt-director-brenda-chapman-dreamworks/

Reynolds, S. (2012, April 4). 'Brave' preview: Mark Andrews on Pixar's Scotland-set fantasy tale. Digital Spy. https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a374625/brave-preview-mark-andrews-on-pixars-scotland-set-fantasy-tale/

Rosin, H. (2012, June 20). Critics Are Missing What’s Radical in Brave. Slate. Retrieved September 5, 2026, from https://slate.com/human-interest/2012/06/pixar-s-brave-a-princess-with-raw-physical-power.html

Savitz, E. (2012, April 25). Disney/Pixar's Brave First Film With Dolby Atmos Audio. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/04/25/disneypixars-brave-first-film-with-dolby-atmos-audio/

Scottish Register of Tartans criticised after approving Disney designs. (2013, January 3). deadline. https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2013/01/03/scottish-register-of-tartans-criticised-over-approving-disney-designs/

Smolcic, C. (2018, June 27). Pixar’s Sexist Boys Club And My #MeToo Call For Radical Change. Medium. https://medium.com/life-tips/pixars-sexist-boys-club-9d621567fdc9

Sperling, N. (2011, May 25). When the glass ceiling crashed on Brenda Chapman. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-may-25-la-et-women-animation-sidebar-20110525-story.html

Steve Jobs. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs

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THR Staff. (2012, June 22). ‘Brave’: What the Critics are Saying. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/brave-what-critics-are-saying-341198/

Watson, T. (2012, July 6). 'Brave' Is Actually Quite Brave: Pixar's Fantastic Feminist Document. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomwatson/2012/07/06/brave-is-actually-quite-brave-pixars-fantastic-feminist-document/

Winkle, C. (2014, May 16). The origins of Brave, Tangled, and Frozen: How these three animated flicks made it to the big screen. Mythcreants. https://mythcreants.com/blog/the-origins-of-brave-tangled-and-frozen/

WonderLand. (2020, October 31). Brave 2012 Behind The Scenes. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf0z7lB-79o

Zahed, R. (2013, May 12). Chapman Responds to Misguided Merida Makeover. Animation Magazine. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2013/05/chapman-responds-to-misguided-merida-makeover/

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel return to the Hundred Acre Wood for Winnie the Pooh (2011), the sequel to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977). Although it’s stuffed with as much fluff as its protagonist, nostalgia and a 69-minute run time make this benign film pleasantly watchable. 

Episode Bibliography

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Anderson, S. & Hall, D. (Directors). (2011). Winnie the Pooh [Film]. Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Armstrong, J. (2011, July 25). Winnie The Pooh's Directors Stephen Anderson and Don Hall: Back to the Hundred Acre Wood – Animated Views. Animated Views. https://animatedviews.com/2011/winnie-the-pooh%E2%80%99s-directors-stephen-anderson-and-don-hall-back-to-the-hundred-acre-wood/

Chang, J. (2011, April 1). Winnie the Pooh. Variety. https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/winnie-the-pooh-1117944948/

Chen, T. (2016, September 16). People On Tumblr Are Obsessed With This Guy Who Gets Coffee On Movie Sets. BuzzFeed News. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tanyachen/people-on-tumblr-are-obsessed-with-carlos-the-coffee-guy

Culture Editor. (2011, April 18). Review: Winnie the Pooh. Platform. https://web.archive.org/web/20161229101056/http://platform-online.net/2011/04/review-winnie-the-pooh/

Denham, J. (2016, September 19). The guy that makes Disney animators coffee has been getting 'caffeination' credits for years. The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-guy-that-makes-disney-animators-coffess-has-been-getting-caffeination-credits-for-years-a7316541.html

Desowitz, B. (2011, July 15). Reinventing 'Winnie the Pooh'. Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/animationworld/reinventing-winnie-pooh

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Goldstein, G. (2011, July 15). Movie Review: ‘Winnie the Pooh’. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-15-la-et-winnie-the-pooh-20110715-story.html

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King, S. (2011, July 13). New ‘Winnie the Pooh’ movie goes back to its Hundred Acre Wood roots. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-jul-13-la-et-winnie-the-pooh-20110713-story.html

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Ness, M. (2016, December 1). Hunting for Honey in the Franchise: Disney's Winnie the Pooh (2011). Reactor. https://reactormag.com/hunting-for-honey-in-the-franchise-disneys-winnie-the-pooh-2011/

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Zahed, R. (2011, July 10). Back to the Days of Christopher Robin & Pooh. Animation Magazine. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2011/07/back-to-the-days-of-christopher-robin-pooh/

Zooey Deschanel Performs Three Songs for Winnie the Pooh. (2011, March 31). ComingSoon.net. https://web.archive.org/web/20110826070731/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=75804

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel follow Lightning McQueen and Mater around the globe in this discussion of Cars 2, a spy-themed sequel with a convoluted plot and disappointing politics. 

Episode Bibliography

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Abg 13. (2021, February 27). Cars 2: Making Lemon-Aides (Subs Included). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WnBgTtuILU&list=PLkVBJymkFErmVjGA_sJvZwr7CFirexCaa&index=12

Barnes, B. (2011, October 17). John Lasseter of Pixar Defends ‘Cars 2’. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/18/movies/john-lasseter-of-pixar-defends-cars-2.html

Bastoli, M. (2011, March 21). Screenwriter claims Cars was his idea, sues Pixar. The PIXAR Blog. https://web.archive.org/web/20111006214337/http://pixarblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/screenwriter-claims-cars-was-his-idea.html

Bastoli, M. (2011, July 28). Victory for Disney/Pixar in Cars lawsuit. Big Screen Animation. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314153029/http://www.bigscreenanimation.com/2011/07/victory-for-disneypixar-in-cars-lawsuit.html

Bastoli, M. (2011, July 28). Victory for Disney/Pixar in Cars lawsuit. Big Screen Animation. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314153029/http://www.bigscreenanimation.com/2011/07/victory-for-disneypixar-in-cars-lawsuit.html

Billington, A. (2008, September 25). Pixar's Cars 2 Pushed Up to Summer of 2011. FirstShowing. https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/pixars-cars-2-pushed-up-to-summer-of-2011/

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Brew, S. (2011, July 24). Denise Ream interview: Eraser, Cars 2, stop motion animation, Star Wars and Pixar. Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/denise-ream-interview-eraser-cars-2-stop-motion-animation-star-wars-and-pixar/

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Desowitz, B. (2011, April 19). Lasseter Talks 'Cars 2'. Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/animationworld/lasseter-talks-cars-2

Ebert, R. (2011, June 22). John Lasseter plays with his cars movie review. RogerEbert.com. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cars-2-2011

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human, fish, car, or toy. [Doctoral dissertation, University of Alabama]. ProQuest Dissertations & 

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Ness, M. (2018, January 4). Pixar's First Minor Roadblock: Cars 2. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/pixars-first-minor-roadblock-cars-2/

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Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel discuss Tangled (2010), the 50th animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios and one of Rachel’s favorites. Based on the fairytale of Rapunzel, this coming-of-age tale features songs from Disney veteran Alan Menken and impressive computer animation. Although Erin and Rachel disagree about the viability of the romantic plot, they agree that Mother Gothel is an effective villain and Pascal is a delightful sidekick.

Episode References

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Behrendt, M. (2022). “That’s how you know he’s your love”: The male singing voice and Disney’s (re)interpretation of the male romantic lead. Sound Stage Screen, 2(2), 5-32.

Brew, S. (2015, January 21). Exclusive: why Disney never made Tangled 2. Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/exclusive-why-disney-never-made-tangled-2/

Burlingame, J. (2010, November 10). Alan Menken: ‘Tangled’ up in cues. Variety. https://variety.com/2010/digital/news/alan-menken-tangled-up-in-cues-1118027102/

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Chang, J. (2010, November 7). Tangled. Variety. https://variety.com/2010/film/reviews/tangled-1117943999/

Culturesmash. (2011, March 27). Interview: ‘Tangled’ Directors Talk About Creating Disney’s 50th Animated Feature. Geeks of Doom. https://geeksofdoom.com/2011/03/27/interview-tangled-directors-talk-about-creating-disneys-50th-animated-feature

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Graham, B. (2010, November 22). Animation Director Glen Keane Exclusive Interview TANGLED. Collider. https://collider.com/glen-keane-interview-tangled/

Greno, N., & Howard, B. (Directors). (2010). Tangled [Film]. Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Hammond, P. (2010, September 9). Oscar's Animation Race Just Got 'Tangled'. Deadline. https://deadline.com/2010/09/oscars-animation-race-just-got-tangled-66061/

Hill, J. (2005, November 3). “Rapunzel Unbraided” gets retooled. Jim Hill Media. https://limegreen-loris-912771.hostingersite.com/rapunzel-unbraided-gets-retooled/

Kapurch, K. (2015). Rapunzel loves Merida: Melodramatic expressions of lesbian girlhood and teen romance in Tangled, Brave, and femslash. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 19(4), 436-453. doi: 10.1080/10894160.2015.1057079

Komaniecki, R. [@Komaniecki_R]. (2024, June 17). I've spent weeks listening to every single song from every single Disney animated musical… [Post]. X. https://x.com/Komaniecki_R/status/1802808419587616924

Kurtti, J. (2015). The Art of Tangled. Chronicle Books LLC.

The Late Late Show with James Corden. (2021, December 7). Zachary Levi Faked Being British To Land Disney Role. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrNmXftckMg

Markovitz, A. (2010, November 24). How did Rapunzel become 'Tangled'? Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard set the record straight. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2010/11/24/tangled-rapunzel-nathan-greno-byron-howard/

McCarthy, T. (2010, November 7). 'Tangled' – Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/tangled-film-review-42752/

Minow, N. (2013, January 10). Interview: Glen Keane of ‘Tangled’. Belief Net. https://web.archive.org/web/20130110021537/http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2010/11/interview-glen-keane-of-tangle.html

Miraudo, S. (2010, December 27). Interview: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard; directors of Tangled. Quickflix. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811035447/http://blog.quickflix.com.au/2010/12/27/interview-nathan-greno-and-byron-howard-directors-of-tangled/

Paluso, M. (2011, March 29). Once Upon a Time. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2011/03/onceupon/

Porluciernagas (2013, October 29). In brightest day: The emotional abuse of Tangled [Blogpost]. Lady Geek Girl and friends. https://ladygeekgirl.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/in-brightest-day-the-emotional-abuse-of-tangled/

Rockwood, M. (2023, April 24). Antisemitism in fantasy and fair tales. Rockwood Editing. https://www.rookwoodediting.com/post/antisemitism-in-fantasy-and-fairy-tales

Roundtable Interview with Glen Keane – March 17, 2011. (2011, March 17). DAPs Magic. https://web.archive.org/web/20120921063943/http://www.dapsmagic.com/geekscorner/geek-links/daps-magic-interviews/roundtable-interview-with-glen-keane-march-17-2011/

Scott, A. O. (2010, November 23). ‘Tangled,’ the New Old-Fashioned Disney - Review. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/movies/24tangled.html

Tujare, K. (2022). Rapunzel, Rapunzel, has finally let down her hair!: The feminist evolution of “Rapunzel” from the nineteenth century to the twenty-first century. Bookbird, 60(1), 77-85. doi: 10.1353/bkb.2022.0007

Full bibliography available here. 

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel discuss Toy Story 3 (2010), the third and allegedly final installment in the Toy Story franchise. Despite some minor misogyny and heteronormativity, the film manages to delight (and emotionally devastate) the hosts.  

Episode Bibliography

Bianculli, D. (2011, February 4). The People Behind Pixar's 'Toy Story 3'. NPR. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/133471041?storyId=133471041?storyId=133471041

Daly, S. (2007, February 19). A happy ending for ''Toy Story 3''? Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2007/02/19/happy-ending-toy-story-3/

Davidson Sorkin, A. (2010, July 20). Faith, hope, and Barbie. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/faith-hope-and-barbie

Disney Circle Seven Animation (partially lost production material of cancelled Pixar sequel films; 2004-2006). (2026). Lost Media Wiki. https://lostmediawiki.com/Disney_Circle_Seven_Animation_(partially_lost_production_material_of_cancelled_Pixar_sequel_films;_2004-2006)

Ebert, R. (2010, June 16). These toys may be traumatized for eternity movie review (2010). Roger Ebert. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/toy-story-3-2010

Finklea, B. W. (2014). Examining masculinities in Pixar’s feature films: What it means to be a boy, whether human, fish, car, or toy. [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Alabama]. 

Gleiberman, O. (2010, June 21). Summer Entertainment Guide Jun 21 2010 02:58 PM ET Share Permalink ComMessage to men: Yes, it's okay to cry at 'Toy Story 3'. Entertainment Weekly. https://web.archive.org/web/20100624080328/http://movie-critics.ew.com/2010/06/21/its-okay-for-men-to-cry-at-toy-story-3/

Gleiberman, O. (2012, July 31). Toy Story 3. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2012/07/31/toy-story-3-5/

Hammond, P. (2010, November 17). OSCAR: Disney’s Rich Ross Says “We’re Going For The Best Picture Win” For ‘Toy Story 3′. Deadline. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223064924/http://m.deadline.com/2010/11/oscar-disneys-rich-ross-says-were-going-for-the-best-picture-win-for-toy-story-3/

Harrison, M. (2017, May 18). Toy Story 3 and Its Horror Movie Undertones. Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/toy-story-3-and-its-horror-movie-undertones/

Koelsch, D. (2010, December 28). Toy Story 3 Oscar Campaign Gets Noticed. Movieviral.com. https://movieviral.com/2010/12/28/toy-story-3-oscar-campaign-gets-noticed/

McLean, T. J. (2011, January 11). The Making of “Toy Story 3”. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/making-toy-story-3-69726/

Moore, R. (2010, June 16). Movie Review: Toy Story 3. Orlando Sentinel. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024002505/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2010/06/movie-review-toy-story-3.html

Ness, M. (2017, November 30). Facing the End: Toy Story 3. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/pixar-rewatch-toy-story-3/

Phillips, M. (2010, June 17). 'Toy Story 3' brims with style, confidence, Pixar magic. Chicago Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20100902204747/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sc-mov-0615-toy-story-3-20100617,0,7968852.column

Sampson, M. (2013). A look at the Toy Story 3 you didn't see... JoBlo. https://www.joblo.com/a-look-at-the-toy-story-3-you-didnt-see/

Slotek, J. (2010, June 17). 'Toy Story 3': After the Golden Age. Toronto Sun. https://web.archive.org/web/20100618032337/http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/movies/2010/06/11/14350796.html

TheCoolBrotherhood. (2012, January 6). The Making Of Toy Story 3. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hlw-SzNvyg

Toy Story 3. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Story_3

Toy Story 3 (2010). (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0435761/?ref_=bo_se_r_1

Toy Story 3 IRL. (2020, January 25). Toy Story 3 In Real Life | Full-length Fan Film. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfduDq5gLnE

ToyStoryFR. (2023, August 21). Toy Story 3 - Behind the scenes - Designing new toys. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJtXhfrCdcM

Toy Story's Randy Newman: 'I just don't like directors'. (2015, February 13). Classic FM. https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/film-tv/randy-newman-toy-story/

Unkrich, L. (Director). (2010). 

Toy Story 3 

[Film]. Pixar Animation Studios.

In this very special episode, Erin talks to Rachel and her research assistant, Grace, about a study they recently published about the portrayal of fat characters in Disney animated films. Spoiler alert: the depictions of fat characters are rife with harmful stereotypes, and the hosts have something to say about it! 

Rachel's and Grace's article "'You're Getting a Little Big for This': Fat Characters in Disney Animated Films" was published in peer-reviewed journal Fat Studies, and can be accessed via this link (or email [email protected] to request a PDF). 

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel hop on down to 1920’s New Orleans, where Disney’s first Black princess spends most of her time as a frog in the Louisiana bayou. The Princess and the Frog (2010) provided much needed representation, but leaves a lot to be desired in terms of its race, class, and gender politics. 

Episode Bibliography

The 82nd Academy Awards | 2010. (n.d.). Oscars. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2010/P?qt-honorees=1#block-quicktabs-honorees

Ayres, C. (2009, December 12). The Princess and the Frog: Disney’s black fairytale. The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-princess-and-the-frog-disneys-black-fairytale-lcpnw3pj3jc

Baker, E.D. (2002). The Frog Princess. Bloomsbury.

Barnes, B. (2009, May 29). Her Prince Has Come. Critics, Too. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/fashion/31disney.html

Breaux, R. M. (2010). After 75 years of magic: Disney answers its critics, rewrites African American history, and cashes in on its racist past. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 398-416. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9139-9

Chang, J. (2009, November 24). The Princess and the Frog. Variety. https://variety.com/2009/digital/features/the-princess-and-the-frog-1200477289/

Davis, A.M. (2014). Handsome heroes and vile villains: Men in Disney’s feature animation. John Libbey & Company. 

Debruge, P. (2016, November 22). Disney's Pixar Acquisition: Bob Iger, John Lasseter Reanimated Studio. Variety. https://variety.com/2016/film/features/disney-pixar-acquisition-bob-iger-john-lasseter-1201923719/

Disney Archives, The. (2025, January 14). The Princess and the Frog - Magic in the Bayou: The Making of a Princess. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Gfgey_Oc8

Disney Enterprises, Inc. (2009). The Princess and the Frog Production Notes. Oscars.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20100408202417/http://www.oscars.org/press/presskits/nominations/pdf/princess_and_the_frog.pdf

Ebert, R. (2009, December 9). At Disney, they still remember how to make movies like they used to movie review (2009). RogerEbert.com. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-princess-and-the-frog-2009

Firehouse Five Plus Two - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehouse_Five_Plus_Two

Foundas, S. (2009, December 10). The Princess and the Frog. Dallas Observer. https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/the-princess-and-the-frog-6405784/

Frog Prince, The. (2025, October 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frog_Prince

Gallo, P. (2006, February 28). Mouse inks music man. Variety. https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/mouse-inks-music-man-1117939042/

Gehlawat, A. (2010). The strange case of "The Princess and the Frog:" Passing and the elision of race. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 417-431. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9126-1

Gilchrist, T. (2009, October 23). Interview: 'Princess and the Frog' Directors Ron Clements and John Musker. Moviefone. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054004/http://news.moviefone.com/2009/10/23/interview-princess-and-the-frog-directors-ron-clements-and-jo/

Gregory, S. M. (2010). Disney’s second line: New Orleans, racial masquerade, and the reproduction of whiteness in The Princess and the Frog. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 432-449. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9138-x

Guerrero, E. (1993). The Black image in protective custody: Hollywood’s biracial buddy films of the eighties. In M. Diawara (Ed.), Black American cinema (pp. 237–246). Routledge.

Hill, J. (2006, November 12). Monday Mouse Watch: Why a change of composers on “The Frog Princess” caused lots of WDFA staffers to lose their composure. Jim Hill Media. https://limegreen-loris-912771.hostingersite.com/monday-mouse-watch-why-a-change-of-composers-on-the-frog-princess-caused-lots-of-wdfa-staffers-to-lose-their-composure/

Holt, K. (2006, June 23). Rhett Wickham: It's Baaack! Laughing Place. https://www.laughingplace.com/news-id510530.asp

Honeycutt, K. (2009, November 24). The Princess and the Frog — Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/princess-frog-film-review-93780/

Kayembe, B. (2021, March 9). Why are we still depicting Black women as 'Mammies'? Shado Mag. https://shado-mag.com/articles/opinion/why-are-we-still-depicting-black-women-as-mammies/

Killer Reviews Staff. (2009). The Princess and the Frog Filmmakers Interview. Killer Reviews. https://web.archive.org/web/20100829054531/http://www.killerreviews.com/dispinterview.php?intid=1859

King, C.R., Bloodsworth-Lugo, M.K., & Lugo-Lugo, C.R. (2010). Animated representations of Blackness. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 395-397. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9141-2

King, S. (2009, November 22). Q & A with ‘Princess and the Frog’ animators. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-22-la-ca-princess22-2009nov22-story.html

Leah Chase. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leah_Chase

Leap of Faith: The Princess and the Frog. (2010, January 17). The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/features/leap-of-faith-the-princess-and-the-frog-1870801.html

Lester, N. A. (2010). Disney’s The Princess and the Frog: The pride, the pressure, and the politics of being a first. The Journal of American Culture, 33(4), 294-307. 

Malkin, M. (2007, February 5). Alicia Keys into Next Movie Role. E! Online. https://web.archive.org/web/20070210054735/http://www.eonline.com/gossip/planetgossip/blog/index.jsp?uuid=d21d0e39-9f0d-4b01-b81d-3989932f34ab

McGee, A.M. (2012). Haitian vodou and voodoo: Imagined religion and popular culture. Studies in Religion, 41(2). doi: 10.1177/0008429812441311

Misick, B. (2020, October 29). Controversy Over 'The Princess and the Frog'. Essence Magazine. https://www.essence.com/news/critics-dispute-princess-and-the-frog/

Moffitt, K. R. (2019). Scripting the way for the 21st-century Disney princess in The Princess and the Frog. Women's Studies in Communication, 42(4), 471-489. doi: 10.1080/07491409.2019.1669757

Moffitt, K. R., & Harris, H. E. (2014). Of negation, princesses, beauty, and work: Black mothers reflect on Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Howard Journal of Communications, 25(1), 56–76. doi:10.1080/10646175.2014.865354

Myrlados, A. (2021, January 18). The Princess and The Frog: A case in cultural revisionism. The Enlightenment. https://lifeisgoodblog.com/2021/01/18/princess-and-frog-cultural-revisionism/

Ness, M. (2016, June 2). The End of an Era: Disney's The Princess and the Frog. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/the-end-of-an-era-disneys-the-princess-and-the-frog/

New Orleans Voodoo. (2025). New Orleans. https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/traditions/voodoo/

Noyer, J. (2010, June 1). The Princess And The Frog's Directors John Musker and Ron Clements take us to “the other side” of animation! Animated Views. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://animatedviews.com/2010/the-princess-and-the-frog-directors-john-musker-and-ron-clements-take-us-to-the-other-side-of-animation/

Panaram, S., Rogers, H., & Stoddard, T. (n.d.). The Princess and the Frog: Rewriting Jazz Age History and Culture. The Black Atlantic. https://sites.duke.edu/blackatlantic/sample-page/contemporary-film-and-black-atlantic/history/disneyfied-histories-disneys-intentional-inaccuracy-historical-films-and-the-black-atlantic/the-princess-and-the-frog-and-rewriting-jazz-age-history-and-culture/

Parasecoli, F. (2010). A taste of Louisiana: Mainstreaming Blackness through food in The Princess and the Frog. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 450-468. doi:  10.1007/s12111-010-9137-y

Pérez, E. (2021). “I got voodoo, I got hoodoo”: Ethnography and its objects in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Material Religion, 17(1), 56-80. doi: 10.1080/17432200.2021.1977954

Pinsky, M. I. (2010, January 7). What Walt Wrought. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703580904574638143338424878

The Princess and the Frog. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3916137985/

Robertson, B. (2010, January). The Tradition Lives On. Computer Graphics World. https://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2010/Volume-33-Issue-1-Jan-2010-/The-Tradition-Lives-On.aspx

Roush, G. (2009, October 21). Interview: Princess And The Frog Directors John Musker And Ron Clements. Plus 7 Brand New Images! LatinoReview.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20091022114309/http://www.latinoreview.com/news/interview-princess-and-the-frog-directors-john-musker-and-ron-clements-plus-7-brand-new-images-8310

Schwarzbaum, L. (2009, December 18). The Princess and the Frog. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2009/12/18/princess-and-frog-2/

Sciretta, P. (2009, 28 February). WonderCon: The Princess And The Frog And The Future Of 2D Animation At Disney. Slash Film. https://www.slashfilm.com/502703/wondercon-the-princess-and-the-frog-and-the-future-of-2d-aniamtion-at-disney/

Scott, M. (2009, November 22). New Orleans setting for 'Princess and the Frog' is a Disney dream come true for one man. NOLA.com. https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/new-orleans-setting-for-princess-and-the-frog-is-a-disney-dream-come-true-for/article_c84036c3-ff1c-5fcd-94e3-9f7e916b774e.html

Scott, N. (2009, December 12). For 'Princess and the Frog,' Disney animators go back to the drawing board. NOLA.com. https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/for-princess-and-the-frog-disney-animators-go-back-to-the-drawing-board/article_70787df8-b6ee-575d-9a0e-f1648f40cced.html

Sharkey, B. (2009, November 25). Review: 'The Princess and the Frog'. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-25-la-et-princess25-2009nov25-story.html

Taylar. (2022, November 12). The Firehouse Five Plus Two - Disney's Jazz Band. The Disney Classics. https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/firehouse-five-plus-two

Tejada, A. (2020, July 14). Representation Without Transformation: Can Hollywood Stop Changing Cartoon Characters of Color? Reactor. https://reactormag.com/representation-without-transformation-can-hollywood-stop-changing-cartoon-characters-of-color/

Terry, E.J. (2010). Rural as racialized plantation vs rural as modern reconnection: Blackness and agency in Disney’s Song of the South and The Princess and the Frog. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 469-481. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9132-3

Turner, S.E. (2013). Blackness, bayous and gumbo: Encoding and decoding race in a colorblind world. In Cheu, J. (Ed.), Diversity in Disney films: Critical essays on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and disability (pp. 83-98). McFarland & Company.

Update: Princess Anika and the Frog. (n.d.). E! News. https://www.eonline.com/news/59173/update-princess-anika-and-the-frog

Whelan, B. (2012). Power to the princess: Disney and the creation of the 20th century princess narrative. Interdisciplinary Humanities, 29(1), 21–34.

Wloszczyna, S. (n.d.). Enchanting return to 2-D: Disney animation conjures magical kingdom of yore. USA Today. https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20070503/d_cover03.art.htm

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel wallow through an elderly man’s grief journey with Pixar’s critically acclaimed Up (2009). They argue the beautiful art and cute sidekicks aren’t enough to redeem this (admittedly beloved) film, especially since the (admittedly moving) love story invokes the classic “dead wife” trope. We’ll keep sailing our balloon house onto the next one, please and thank you. 

Episode Bibliography

Adler, S. (2008, August 7). 'Up' And Coming: 3-D Pixar Movie Tells A 'Coming Of Old Age' Story, Director Says. MTV. https://web.archive.org/web/20100318060539/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1592302/story.jhtml

The Associated Press. (2009, May 12). Q&A: Pete Docter. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qampa-pete-docter-83783/

Berardinelli, J. (2009, May 26). Up (United States, 2009). ReelViews. https://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/up

Block, A. B. (2009, November 17). Anatomy of a Contender: ‘Up’. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/anatomy-contender-91440/

Brooks, X. (2009, March 19). Curtain will go Up on this year's Cannes with 3-D yarn | Cannes 2009. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/19/up-first-animation-to-open-cannes-film-festival

Chen, D. (2009, May 28). Marketing Up's Asian-American Lead Character. SlashFilm. https://www.slashfilm.com/503927/marketing-ups-asian-american-lead-character/

Coconut Press. (2023, August 16). The Making of Up: Pixar Travels to Venezuela 4k. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXCHlcrMgLY

Corliss, R. (2009, May 7). Going Up. TIME. https://web.archive.org/web/20090513203932/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1896685-1,00.html

Corliss, R. (2009, May 28). Up, Up and Away: Another New High for Pixar. Time Magazine. https://time.com/archive/6688401/up-up-and-away-another-new-high-for-pixar/

Docter, P. (Director). (2009). Up [Film]. Pixar Animation Studios.

DVDFilmBonus. (2023, July 16). Up 2009 ( Pixar ) Making of & Behind the Scenes. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPQuzPm73fo

Erikson E.H., & Erikson, J.M. (1982). Life cycle completed. W.W. Norton & Company

Freer, I. (2009, October 3). Up. Empire Online. https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/movie-2-review/

Hartlaub, P. (2009, May 27). Oakland's Fentons Creamery in Pixar film 'Up'. SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Oakland-s-Fentons-Creamery-in-Pixar-film-Up-3297072.php

Hauser, T. (2016). The Art of Up. Chronicle Books LLC.

Hogan, R. (2009, June 1). Pixar’s Up review. Den of Geek. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pixars-up-review-2/

Horn, J. (2009, May 10). up, up and away. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-10-ca-up10-story.html

Hornaday, A. (2009, May 29). Up. The Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20091027073954/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/up,1156226.html

Khoo, I. (2015, July 13). Pregnancy Loss: The Surprising Movie That Understands Miscarriage. HuffPost Canada. https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/pregnancy-loss-the-surprising-movie-that-understands-miscarriag_n_7786224

King, S. (2009, May 28). Jordan Nagai, 'Up'. Los Angeles Times. https://web.archive.org/web/20121106123435/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/28/entertainment/et-jordanpete28

The Korean Face of Pixar's Latest Star. (2009, June 3). The Chosun Daily. https://www.chosun.com/english/people-en/2009/06/03/NXQOOEMZNUTRQNAZ7NTDTTGBUU/

Ksieh, K. (2009, May 29). Jordan Nagai as Russell in UP. Channel APA. https://web.archive.org/web/20121110102130/http://www.channelapa.com/2009/05/jordan-nagai-as-russell-in-up.html

Media Action Network for Asian Americans. (2009, September 2). ASIAN AMERICAN MEDIA WATCHDOG GROUP PRAISES DISNEY/PIXAR'S "UP" FOR CREATING ASIAN AMERICAN PROTAGONIST. MANAA. https://web.archive.org/web/20090902105114/http://www.manaa.org/up_press_release.html

Meinel, D. (2014). Empire is out there!?: The spirit of imperialism in the Pixar animated film ‘Up’. Traces. NECSUS. https://necsus-ejms.org/empire-spirit-imperialism-pixar-animated-film/#_edn12

Meinel, D. (2016). Pixar’s America. Palgrave MacMillan. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-31634-5_7

Morgenstern, J. (2009, May 14). Reaching for the Sky, 'Up' Fails to Soar - WSJ. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124226358415817813

Piane, C. (2010, April 9). EWP Honors Pixar Films And Jordan Nagai At 44th Anniversary Visionary Awards 4/19. Broadway World. https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/EWP-Honors-Pixar-Films-And-Jordan-Nagai-At-44th-Anniversary-Visionary-Awards-419-20100409

Press Release. (2009, November 8). Interview: Pete Doctor on Disney/Pixar’s UP. Major Spoilers. https://web.archive.org/web/20100208140509/http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/27376.htm/

Rechtshaffen, M. (2009, May 12). Up - Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20120315171219/http://www1.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/up-film-review-1003972156.story

Schilling, V. (2019, September 15). Boy Scouts ‘have been one of the worst culprits’ of cultural appropriation. ICT. https://ictnews.org/news/boy-scouts-have-been-one-of-the-worst-culprits-of-cultural-appropriation/

Tell Me More Staff. (2013, September 9). Angry Asian Man Not So Angry : Code Switch. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/09/09/219725276/angry-asian-man-not-so-angry

Up (2009 film). (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(2009_film)

Wooden, S.R., & Gillam, K. (2014). Pixar’s boy stories: Masculinity in a postmodern age. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 

Young, S. (2020, January 16). Exploring the dead wives in family movies trope. Nerdist. https://nerdist.com/article/dead-wives-family-movies-dolittle/

Zacharek, S. (2009, May 29). Up. Salon. https://www.salon.com/2009/05/29/up_review/

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel discuss Bolt (2008), a lesser known film about a dog who thinks he’s a super hero. Under new leadership, Disney Animation Studios starts to come out of their slump with this film that some people found boring (Erin) and others found heartwarming (Rachel). 

Episode Bibliography

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Bolt. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1531348481/

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Desowitz, B. (2008, December 4). The Digital Eye: How 'Bolt' Got Painterly. Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/digital-eye-how-bolt-got-painterly

Donofrio, E. C. (2013). The wonderful world of gender roles: A look at recent Disney children’s films [Honors thesis, Boston College]. https://core.ac.uk/reader/151481530

DVD Deleted Scenes. (2024, October 7). Bolt (2008) | Behind the Scenes + Deleted Scenes. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsEyzc4FVZE

Evry, M. (2020, February 13). Exclusive: Kiskaloo Movie Could Be Next for Chris Sanders! ComingSoon.net. https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1122952-exclusive-kiskaloo-movie-could-be-next-for-chris-sanders

Fleming, M. (2002, November 18). ‘Lilo’ scribes stitch Disney package. Variety. https://variety.com/2002/scene/markets-festivals/lilo-scribes-stitch-disney-package-1117876239/

Fritz, B. (2006, December 1). Disney lays off animators. Variety. https://variety.com/2006/digital/features/disney-lays-off-animators-1117954931/

Fritz, B. (2007, March 27). Sanders joins DreamWorks. Variety. https://variety.com/2007/digital/markets-festivals/sanders-joins-dreamworks-1117961927/

From the creator of LILO & STITCH our first look at AMERICAN DOG!!!! (2004, August 16). Ain't It Cool News. https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/18156

Hedrick, D. (2010). King Lear or Bolt: The entertainment unconscious from CalArts to Disney. Shakespeare Studies, 38, 37-47. 

Hill, J. (2007, February 12). Toon Tuesday : How Disney is fixing “American Dog”. Jim Hill Media. https://jimhillmedia.com/toon-tuesday-how-disney-is-fixing-american-dog/

Howard, B., & Williams, C. (Directors). (2008). Bolt [Film]. Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Hurt, L.S. (2014). Fuzzy toys and fuzzy feelings: How the “Disney” culture provides the necessary psychological link to improving animal welfare. Journal of Animal & Natural Resource Law, 10, 253-272.

McCarthy, T. (2008, November 13). Bolt. Variety. https://variety.com/2008/digital/awards/bolt-3-1200472217/

Ness, M. (2016, November 17). An Adorable Dog in an Unbelievable Premise: Disney's Bolt. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/an-adorable-dog-in-an-unbelievable-premise-disneys-bolt/

Porter, P. (2009). Journeys toward an authentic self. Society and Animals, 17, 368-375. DOI: 10.1163106311109X12474622855345

Rechtshaffen, M. (2008, November 13). Film Review: Bolt. The Hollywood Reporter. https://web.archive.org/web/20081216015641/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?JSESSIONID=prd6JhJJnvQL9cYrfRKSHVQjP6dRnLhLH4SZ1KQht3tfhVLxmjqn!-591095386&&rid=11956

Robinson, T. (2008, November 20). Bolt. AV Club. https://www.avclub.com/bolt-1798205268

Scott, A. O. (2008, November 20). Canine TV Action Star Discovers that Life is the Best Reality Show. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/movies/21bolt.html

Seibert, P. (2008). Bolt: Review. TV Guide. https://web.archive.org/web/20120212213609/http://movies.tvguide.com/bolt/review/294809

Springy. (2023, October 11). American Dog: everything I found in one neat thread. forums.lostmediawiki.com. https://forums.lostmediawiki.com/thread/12742/american-dog-neat-thread

Turan, K. (2008, November 21). ‘Bolt’ spices up Disney with a dash of Pixar. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-nov-21-et-bolt21-story.html

Wang, T. (2021). Bolt (2008): Journey to the authentic self. In S. M. Alegre (Ed.), Gender in 21st century animated children’s cinema (pp. 86-87). https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/llibres/2021/236285/gen21cen_a2021.pdf

Wolff, E. (2009, February 5). Animated Oscar noms took long road. Variety. https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/animated-oscar-noms-took-long-road-1117999618/

Episode Summary

Erin and Rachel travel 700 years into the future to discuss WALL-E (2008), Pixar’s robot romance with an unintentionally anti-capitalist message. Fatphobia and misogyny make this dystopian tale unwatchable despite its endearing protagonist, striking animation, and moments of nostalgia. 

Episode Bibliography

The 81st Academy Awards | 2009. (2009, February 22). Oscars.org. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2009

Akers, D. (2008, June 9). Wall-E: A Movie With a Full Heart, or A Tribute to Justin. Spectrum. https://spectrummagazine.org/news/wall-e-movie-full-heart-or-tribute-justin/

Allen, C. (2008, July 13). Wall-E doesn’t say anything. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/la-op-allen13-2008jul13-story.html

Anderson, C.T. (2012). Post-apocalyptic nostalgia: WALL-E, garbage, and American ambivalence toward manufactured goods. Literature Interpretation Theory, 23(3), 267-282, DOI: 10.1080/10436928.2012.703598

Ball, S. (2009, January 23). Mr. Oscar, Tear Down This Wall! Andrew Stanton on How Animated Films are Pigeonholed -- and How Wall-E is Every Man. Newsweek. https://web.archive.org/web/20090204034311/http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/popvox/archive/2009/01/23/breaking-out-of-the-box-wall-e-director-andrew-stanton-on-the-oscars-the-blurring-of-the-line-between-animation-and-film-and-writing-strong-female-character

Bandyk, M. (2009, January 22). Academy Awards Controversy: Wall-E Gets Snubbed For Best Picture Oscar. USNews. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717180938/http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/risky-business/2009/01/22/academy-awards-controversy-wall-e-gets-snubbed-for-best-picture-oscar

Barbagallo, R. (2009). Design With a Purpose, an interview with Ralph Eggleston. Animation Art Conservation. https://www.animationartconservation.com/design-with-a-purpose%2c-an-interview-with-ralph-eggleston.html

Beck, B. (2009). Don't make me laugh: People are funny in WALL-E and Tropic Thunder.  Multicultural Perspectives, 11(2), 90-93. DOI: 10.1080/15210960903028768

Bold, K. (2008, July 23). ‘WALL-E’ and the professor. Today@UCI. https://web.archive.org/web/20080726230400/http://today.uci.edu/Features/profile_detail.asp?key=369

Bose, M. (2017). Immaterial thoughts: Brand value, environmental sustainability, and WALL-E. Criticism, 59(2), 247-277. DOI: 10.13110/criticism.59.2.0247

Caraway, K., & Caraway, B.R. (2020). Representing ecological crises in children’s media: An analysis of The Lorax and Wall-E. Environmental Communication, 14(5), 686-697, DOI: 10.1080/17524032.2019.1710226

Coconut Press. (2022, July 1). The Making of WALL-E: The Imperfect Lens (Disney Pixar video). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8tlVs4r7zg

Desowitz, B. (2009). Hello, WALL•E!: Pixar Reaches for the Stars. Animation World Magazine. https://web.archive.org/web/20090720073659/http://mag.awn.com/article_view.php?id=3682&page=all

Disney Enterprises, Inc./Pixar. (2008, June 12). WALL-E Press Kit. Disney. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711103245/http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/wall-e/media/downloads/WALLEProductionNotes.pdf

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Flaig, P. (2016). Slapstick after Fordism: WALL-E, automatism and Pixar’s fun factory. Animation: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 11(1), 59-74. DOI: 10.1177/1746847715625017

Frick, A. (2008, July 1). Right-Wing Apoplectic Over Pixar’s WALL-E: ‘Malthusian Fear Mongering,’ ‘Fascistic Elements’. Think Progress. https://archive.thinkprogress.org/right-wing-apoplectic-over-pixars-wall-e-malthusian-fear-mongering-fascistic-elements-92e1523a8a6e/

Gaffey, A.J. (2018). Flip the switch: Virtue, programming, and the prospect of automatic agency in Wall-E. Southern Communication Journal, 83(1), 41-56. DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2017.1399434

Glint, J.M.S., & Bhuvaneswari, G. (2025). Memory, Social Identity and Technology at Odds: The Implication on Physical Well‑Being in Wall‑E. Human Arenas. DOI: 10.1007/s42087-024-00471-w

Hill, J. (2008, June 17). When it comes to the retail world, Speed Racer whomps WALL-E. Jim Hill Media. https://jimhillmedia.com/when-it-comes-to-the-retail-world-speed-racer-whomps-wall-e/

Hobbes, M., & Gordon, A. [Hosts]. (2022, May 31). MP Watch Part: Wall-E and Spy [Audio podcast episode]. In Maintenance Phase. https://www.maintenancephase.com/

Horn, S., & Moro, E. (2008, April 7). Wall•E Preview. IGN. https://web.archive.org/web/20080411234805/http://movies.ign.com/articles/865/865021p4.html

Huxley, T. (2008, November 13). Q&A With WALL•E's Ben Burtt. Pixar Planet. https://pixarplanet.com/blog/qa-with-walles-ben-burtt/

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Korfiatis, K., Photiou, M., & Petrou, S. (2020). Effects of ecoanimations on nine and twelve year old children’s environmental conceptions: How WALL-E changed young spectators’ views of earth and environmental protection. The Journal of Environmental Education, 51(5), 381-394. DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2020.1747965 

Lloyd, A. (2023, December 1). Counteracting Bone and Muscle Loss in Microgravity. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/counteracting-bone-and-muscle-loss-in-microgravity/

Mattie, S. (2014). WALL-E on the problem of technology. Perspectives on Political Science, 43(1), 12-20. DOI: 10.1080/10457097.2013.784576

Murray, R.L., & Heumann, J.K. (2011). That’s all folks? Ecocritical readings of American animated features. University of Nebraska Press. 

Ness, M. (2017, September 28). Robots in Love: WALL-E. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/robots-in-love-wall-e/

Pixar. (2016a, October 16). Robo-Everything | WALL•E | Disney•Pixar. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqquKFkH-iI&list=PLLhVNqe2jAb8X9ocSkynckJmcP5y0B4Vc&index=9

Pixar. (2016b, October 19). Captain's Log | WALL•E | Disney•Pixar. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRUoIOkp9AU&list=PLLhVNqe2jAb8X9ocSkynckJmcP5y0B4Vc&index=5

Pixar. (2016c, October 19). Live Action | WALL•E | Disney•Pixar. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQh4z-j0ScI&list=PLLhVNqe2jAb8X9ocSkynckJmcP5y0B4Vc&index=15

Pixar. (2016d, October 19). Trash Planet | WALL•E | Disney•Pixar. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmnSYmqpIEY&list=PLLhVNqe2jAb8X9ocSkynckJmcP5y0B4Vc&index=14

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Potokar, S. (2017, March 8). Wall-E Animation Foley and Sound Design. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IPxIvbc_cs

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Stanton, A. (Director). (2008). WALL-E [Film]. Pixar Animation Studios.

Suellentrop, C. (2008, June 30). Another Brick in the ‘WALL-E’. The New York Times. https://archive.nytimes.com/opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/another-brick-in-the-wall-e/

Tranter, P., & Sharpe, S. (2012). Disney-Pixar to the rescue: Harnessing positive affect for enhancing children’s active mobility. Journal of Transport Geography, 20, 34-40. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.04.006

van Oosterwijk, I., & McCarthy, W. (2023). Once upon a dystopian time: The portrayal and perception of environmentalism in Pixar’s Finding Nemo and WALL-E. Quarterly Review of Film and Video, 40(7), 848-873. DOI: 10.1080/10509208.2022.2049181 

WALL-E. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WALL-E

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Willman, C. (2008, July 14). 'WALL-E': How he found 'Hello, Dolly!' Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2008/07/14/wall-e-how-he-found-hello-dolly/

Yates, M. (2015). Labor as “nature,” nature as labor. Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment, 22(3), 525-543.