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 ■ Visit our sponsors: Netflix, Audible, Amazon ■ Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us an email at [email protected] ■ Send us a voicemail at therotoscopers.com/voicemail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices