012 Anastasia - Rasputin, The Dork of the Night

The gang is back together for a full episode. This episode features a long discussion about the 1997 animated classic Anastasia. And where did the Nerdy Couch Discussion go, you may ask? Don't worry, this episode is a bit unconventional and the NCD is nestled in the middle of the main discussion. Highlights:

■ News: Maggie Simpsons 3D short, Pixar Disney California Cruise, A Cat in Paris released

■ Main Discussion: Don Bluth and Gary Goldman’s Anastasia

■ Gary Goldman: the forgotten part of the Bluth duo

■ Is Anastasia the pinnacle of Don and Gary’s career?

■ “My Fair Lady” plot?

■ Making-of featurettes hosted by...Aaliyah?

■ Mini Nerdy Couch Discussion: R&B songs over the credits in the 90s

■ Gangster Anastasia & greasy Dimitri 

■ Why do so many people think Anastasia is a Disney movie?

■ Dimitri: face doesn’t match the actor, best looking animated mantagonist?, “I don’t know what to tell you”

■ Anastasia: a witty romcom leading lady; grand duchess, not princess; first to elope,

■ Where would Anastasia rank among the Disney princesses?

■ Would there be an uprising by Disney or Bluth fans is Disney bought the rights to Anastasia? 

■ Rasputin: should we fear or pity him as the villain?, eternal leprosy

■ Mason’s 3 reasons why Rasputin is a pathetic villian

■ Bartok and Rasputin’s unhealthy relationship

■ Conspiracy time and villian metaphysics: no time in limbo aka the TIME VORTEX! 

■ Why do kings always keep the creepy advisors around?

■ Pooka: the REAL villain of the movie, throwaway character

■ Sophie: voice actress thought her character's design was too big

■ Vladamir: member of the royal court, quotes

■ Need to know Russian history to understand the film?

■ Songs: Disney playlist worthy, “people sing when they are too emotional to talk anymore”, is “Once Upon a December” or “Journey to the Past” the more memorable song

■ Lots o’ CGI: problems with objects, beautiful layouts, innovative, the pegasus

■ Live action reference or full on rotoscoping?

■ Clarification: we don’t think rotoscoping is the greatest thing ever

■ Best scenes: travel montage, glowing mystical sparkles, very Haunted Mansion-esque ghostly people 

■ Unanswered questions: Russia and Anastasia's memory, Dimitri and the music box, Mason’s enchanted palace theory

■ Morgan and Chelsea debate Anstasia’s changing hair length

■ Listener trivia question: How do you feel about Rasputin as a villain?

■ Let’s rate it!

■ “Art of Brave” contest new deadline: June 30. Enter now!

■ Bloopers: cool ringtone, Chelsea can’t speak today, Princess Tanya Runtime: 1:28:14, 41.4 MB

Where to Find Us:

■ Find us on the web: therotoscopers.com, twitter, facebook, YouTube, tumblr, hypable & Animated Views

■ Mason Smith: This Animated Life Blog, Twitter

■ Chelsea Robson: Facebook, Twitter

■ Morgan Stradling: Twitter, Instagram

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■ Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us an email at [email protected]

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