Magic by Design

Ken and Gar delve into the world of Victor Hugo's Paris this week when they watched Disney's adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). The brothers discuss how Disney strayed from the source material in their telling of this classic tale and the pitfalls of succumbing to ones urges. WARNING: We kept it as clean as possible but some adult themes are discussed so listener discretion is advised!

Featuring a gorgeous rendition of 'God Help the Outcasts' performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh.

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

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Ken and Gar attempt to watch with their hearts and paint with all the colours of the wind this week as they review Pocahontas (1995), a film that was once planned to be the jewel in the crown of the Disney Renaissance but for a number of reasons, fell well short. The brothers talk about this interesting, yet flawed film and try to put their finger on the factors that derailed the studio's lofty goals for their take on one of the most interesting historical figures in American history.

Featuring a cover of 'Colours of the Wind' performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh.

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

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Ken and Gar take their place in the "circle of life" this week as they review Disney's 32nd animated feature film, The Lion King (1994). 

Featuring a medley of songs from The Lion King performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

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Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
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You ain’t never heard a review like this as Ken and Gar look back on Disney’s 31st animated feature film, Aladdin (1991). The brothers pay tribute to the late, great, Robin Williams, whose tour de force performance as the Genie, elevated this standard princess love story to the stuff of Disney legend!

Featuring a medley of tunes from Aladdin performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

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Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
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Ken and Gar want you to be their guest this week as they review Disney’s 30th animated feature film, Beauty and the Beast (1991). Hear all about the turbulent making of this classic adaptation of the well known fairy tale and why it's the studio's first true masterpiece since Sleeping Beauty nearly thirty years earlier.

Featuring a gorgeous cover of the title track from Beauty and the Beast performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicByDesignPod
Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
Instagram: @magicbydesignpod

Ken and Gar took a trip to a land down under where women glow and men plunder this week when we watched Disney’s 29th animated feature film, The Rescuers Down Under (1990). The brothers attempt to review this follow up to 1977's The Rescuers but get distracted by rabbit hole topics including VR technology and the future of art before circling back the the film to assess the merits of the first sequel in Disney animated feature history.

Featuring a reprise performance of "Someone's Waiting For You" from the original movie performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

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Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
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Ken and Gar dive deep under the sea and break out their steel drums this week for Disney's 28th animated feature, The Little Mermaid (1989). The brothers talk why this musical masterpiece may have the best songs of any Disney animated film to date and how the story's themes have aged over the last three decades.

Featuring a musical theater treat with a performance of "Part of your World" from the movie performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

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Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
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Ken and Gar hit the sidewalks of New York City this week to brush up on their "street savoir faire" when they watched Disney's 27th animated feature, Oliver & Company (1988).

Featuring a rocking rendition, "Why Should I Worry" from the movie performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

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Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
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Ken and Gar investigate the disappearance of a long lost gem in the Disney animated film canon this week when they watched The Great Mouse Detective (1986). The brothers talk about why this may be one of the most under appreciated films in Disney history and among other things, discuss the merits of a monarchy in 2020

Featuring a rousing rendition of the controversial, "Let Me Be Good to You" from the movie performed by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicByDesignPod
Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
Instagram: @magicbydesignpod

Ken and Gar watched watched Disney’s 25th animated feature this week, The Black Cauldron (1981). The brothers dissect this forgotten entry in the Disney cinematic canon in order to find out why the studio is so keen to bury this adaptation of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain book series in the vaults forever. 

Featuring fun facts about the music of the Black Cauldron by Musical Correspondent, Nicole McDonagh

Follow Nicole @NicoleMcD_PR on Twitter and @n.mcdonagh on Instagram for more magical musical content

Watch along on Disney Plus and join the conversation on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicByDesignPod
Twitter: @MagicDesignPod
Instagram: @magicbydesignpod