Episode 4: Encanto and Grace vs. Works

Disney's Wish didn't get a very warm welcome from critics or audiences when it came out in theaters last year, but does it have any redeeming qualities that might make it worth seeing now that it's out on streaming and blu-ray? In this bonus "First Impressions" episode, host Tracy and daughter Darcy (age 8) give their initial thoughts on Disney's newest musical fairy tale film and whether it might just be worth watching after all.

In this episode of Toon My Heart podcast, host Tracy Herold is talking about Bruno-- and the entire amazing Madrigal family! Disney's Encanto worked its way into the hearts of streaming viewers across the world when it landed on Disney+ on Christmas Eve 2021, with its relatable characters, way too catchy tunes, and unique setting and story. But is there something deeper behind this animated film's popularity? Tracy talks about the Biblical symbolism she sees in the movie, and explores how the theme of grace vs. works plays out as the story of Mirabel and her magical family unfolds.

Mentioned in this episode: 

Jared Bush's Twitter/X account:
https://twitter.com/thejaredbush
(Note: In the podcast, one Tweet attributed to Byron Howard was actually from Jared Bush.)

"'Encanto is Disney's first Latino musical. How the filmmakers got Colombia right" by Tracy Brown (LA Times):
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-11-29/encanto-explained-disney-colombia-consultants

"'Encanto's' Luisa Is Way Too Beefy For A Woman" by Jeff Wright (The Federalist):
https://thefederalist.com/2022/02/04/encantos-luisa-is-way-too-beefy-for-a-woman-and-its-wrong

Charles Spurgeon quote:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/me/view.cfm?Date=02/03&body

Music by REDProductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

One is the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time. The other is one of Jesus Christ's best known and most beloved parables. In this episode of Toon My Heart podcast, find out what Disney's The Lion King and the Bible's prodigal son parable have in common, and what both stories can teach us about guilt, identity, responsibility, and redemption. Join host Tracy Herold as she dives into the history behind one of Disney's most unexpectedly successful movies, shares what Bible verse always reminds her of Scar, contemplates whether Christians should follow "Hakuna Matata," and examines the journey of Simba on the Circle of Life to see what faith-related lessons we can learn along the way.

Mentioned in this episode:

"Was 'The Lion King' Copied From A Japanese Cartoon? Here's the Real Story": https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lion-king-kimba_n_6272316 

Japanamerica: How Japanese Culture Has Invaded the U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/Japanamerica-Japanese-Culture-Invaded-U-S/dp/140398476X

"The Circle of Life" (Biblical Geek, archived): https://web.archive.org/web/20190708064503/http://www.biblicalgeek.com/blog/2018/7/3/the-circle-of-life

Music by REDProductions, Sourced from Pixabay.com

Is Disney's Tangled just a swash-buckling fairy tale romance movie, or can we look past the surface to find something deeper? Listen in to find out what Disney Animation's first CGI 3D princess, Rapunzel, along with Flynn Rider/Eugene Fitzherbert, a group of dreaming pub thugs, a feisty chameleon, and an intense horse can teach us about our need for community, our innate desire to know and be known, and the challenges we face in connecting with others. Of course, we'll also talk about what the Bible has to say about these topics, and we'll also hear wisdom from two lovers of both fairy tales and God, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein.

Mentioned in this episode:
"Tangled" entry in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangled
"Eucatastrophe" entry in Tolkein Gateway: https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Eucatastrophe

Music by REDproductions, sourced from Pixabay.com

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Welcome to the very first episode of Toon My Heart, in which we'll examine some of your favorite animated films in search of themes relevant to the Christian faith and traces of eternal truth. In this episode: What can Disney's classic animated movie Beauty and the Beast teach us about the perils of pride and the redemptive power of love? We'll talk about what the Bible has to say about both pride and love, and see how these attributes are reflected in the characters of the Beast, Belle, and Gaston.

Referenced in this episode:
"Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)" Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_(1991_film)
"Beauty and the Beast: True Love or Stockholm Syndrome": https://snowwhitewrites.com/beauty-and-the-beast-stockholm
"Glen Keane on Beauty and the Beast transformation sequence" on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wrc8DCk520

Music by REDProductions, sourced from Pixabay.com