The Three CommentEARS

"The Three CommentEARS" is a series of monthly audio commentaries in which a trio of Disney fans, composed of Albert "Escapay" Gutierrez, Kelvin "Disneykid" Cedeno, and Pedro "Pap" Hernandez, share their thoughts on various Disney films.

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Over 15 years since monsters and children relations changed for the better, Monsters, Inc. still remains one of the shining examples of the Pixar formula. Originally recorded in 2013, this commentary features hosts Albert “Put That Thing Back” Gutierrez, Pedro “Where It Came From” Hernandez, and Kelvin “Or So Help Me” Cedeño each sharing their own different perspective on this story and its character’s journeys. The track also has doors that lead to subjects such as the various scrapped story elements, the film’s theme park presence, the impact on a post-9/11 audience, and your hosts’ own experiences with monsters in the closet.

Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film:

http://www.threecommentears.com/2017/06/monsters-inc/

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Our very own Albert Gutierrez is a guest on Aaron Wallace's Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Pod! Be sure to check out their latest episode!

http://www.aaronwallaceonline.com/zaddp-79-beastly-kingdoms/

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Welcome to the first episode of our non-Disney commentary series, The Dreamers of Dreams! Much like its sister series, Dreamers of Dreams allows your CommentEARS to offer cultural analysis, personal stories, and production trivia on classic and contemporary films. And what better film to share with dreamers than the 2016 musical La La Land? The fools who dream with you during this commentary are Albert “It’s the Wine Talking” Gutierrez, Pedro “Here’s Another Compliment About Oscar-Winning Actress Emma Stone” Hernandez, and Zack “Tom Everett Scott” Paslay. Each one brings something unique to this track, with particular focus on film history, character analysis, and professional performance experience. Listen in as they reflect on how Sebastian and Mia’s dramatic moments mirror real life, the constant re-invention of classic musical tropes, and the potential future of movie musicals thanks to the film’s success. Regardless how one feels about the ending, the dream is alive for two glorious hours of unbridled passion for jazz, Oscar-winning performances, and debatable cuddle factors of the leads. Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film:

https://goo.gl/wVkOuw

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In this latest installment of “Something to Think About,” we examine the timelessness of the “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale in a variety of adaptations, most notably with Jean Cocteau’s 1946 fantasy classic, the hit 1987-90 television series, and Disney’s smash animated film from 1991. At the time of this episode’s recording, the 2017 Beauty and the Beast had yet to see release in theatres, with all the podcast participants – Albert, Pedro, Tony, Steven, and Kelvin – eagerly awaiting their first viewings of the film. In anticipation of the new film’s release, the quintet reflect on their early experiences with the fairy tale, analyze the success and fallbacks of various film and television adaptations, examine the characterizations of the Belles and their Beasts, and select their favorite song and score. To celebrate the newest tale as old as time, let’s take a look back at the various retellings through time.

Note that this episode begins with the overture to the 2017 remake in order to gradually ease listeners into the experience. You can skip this by jumping to 3:17.

http://www.threecommentears.com/2017/04/stta-beauty-and-the-beast/

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Join some happy-go-lucky fellows as The Three CommentEARS celebrate seventy years of Walt Disney’s Fun and Fancy Free! Your hosts for this double-feature include Albert “Where’s Bobby?” Gutierrez, Pedro “Bongo” Hernandez, and Kelvin “Nameless Harp” Cedeño. Listen in as the three examine why the film is so divisive among audiences, how each half was originally conceived before World War II, and later recreate a story meeting for “Mickey and the Beanstalk.” The trio also look back on era of the film’s production, including reflection on Walt Disney’s testimony before the House of Un-American Activities Committee, which overshadowed the film’s release at the time. Whether listeners favor “Bongo” or “Mickey and the Beanstalk,” there’s enough love and appreciation for both so long as you say it with a slap!

Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film:

http://www.threecommentears.com/2017/03/fun-and-fancy-free/

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Like a bolt out of the blue, The Three CommentEARS return for the new year with a commentary for Walt Disney’s Pinocchio, in honor of its recent Walt Disney Signature Collection release! Your hosts for this daring journey, Pedro “Geppetto” Hernandez, Tony “Pinocchio” Lopez, Brian “Jiminy Cricket” Slatky, and Jen “Blue Fairy” Seggio, analyze and discuss the many merits that have lead Pinocchio to be praised as not just one of the best Disney films in the animated canon, but as an achievement in the art of filmmaking. Some of these include the production staff that created its ambitious animation and effects through practical means, how Disney’s treatment of the original story lead to some significant character development changes in the final film, and its allegorical themes of faith, religion and morality.

Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film:

http://www.threecommentears.com/2017/02/pinocchio/

Both the film and commentary track run the same length. To maximize your enjoyment of this commentary, press play on both film and commentary together. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! You can also right-click here and select “Save As” to download our mp3 of this commentary for portable listening.

When you’re done, tell us what you think! Leave a comment below, or e-mail the CommentEARS by sending your thoughts to [email protected]

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65 years ago, a little girl took a tumble down a rabbit hole and ended up in a topsy turvy world where anything was possible. Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland began as a project Walt just couldn’t let go, ended up as a feature he didn’t particularly care for, and grew into a pop culture presence he could never foresee. Your mad hosts for this tea party are Kelvin “Mad Hatter” Cedeño and Pedro “March Hare” Hernandez. Together, the duo recount the many failed attempts at getting Alice off the ground, the tricky process of adapting Lewis Carroll’s rich text, and the life this animated feature has since found, particularly in Disney parks. Recorded for the film's 65th anniversary and released for its umpteenth unbirthday, this track celebrates the humor and creativity that only this animated film could dream up.

For instructions on syncing up this commentary with your copy of the film, click the link below!

http://www.threecommentears.com/2016/08/alice-in-wonderland/

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Whether one thinks it’s rotten to the core, R-I-D-I-CULOUS, or ask if it is just a dream, Descendants blended together heroes and villains of Disney’s animated classics, throwing viewers in for a loop as they were then introduced to a next generation of memorable characters: the young legacies of Maleficent, Evil Queen, Beauty and the Beast, Dopey, and more. In anticipation of the first anniversary of the film’s historic television broadcast, CommentEAR Albert “Mal” Gutierrez and special guest CommentEAR Steven “Jay” Johnson revisit the film to explore why they’ve embraced the film. Join the two as they muse upon the world-building and character development, analyze the strengths of the film, and enjoy their favorite characters and scenes. Rather than riff on the film, the pair examine why the film appeals to a whole legion of younger viewers, cite how director Kenny Ortega creates genuine cinematic moments, and speculate what next year’s sequel may bring.

For instructions on syncing up this commentary with your copy of the film, click the link below!

http://www.threecommentears.com/2016/07/descendants/

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On the 20th anniversary of one of Disney’s most mature and complex features, the Three CommentEARS share with you their 2013 commentary for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In it, Albert Gutierrez, Pedro Hernandez, and Kelvin Cedeño relay the film’s rich production history while also examining the various themes presented that were then unheard of in a Disney film. The trio also looks back on their memories of the release, including its grand marketing and merchandising campaigns.

Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film: http://www.threecommentears.com/2016/06/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame/

You can also right-click here and select “Save As” to download our mp3 of this commentary for portable listening. When you’re done, tell us what you think! Leave a comment below, or e-mail the CommentEARS by sending your thoughts to [email protected]

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It’s been thirteen years since the world went looking for Nemo, little fish lost. Now, in the weeks before we set forth on a similar quest to find Dory, the Three CommentEARS return to the original, heartwarming father/son story that captivated fans everywhere. Join Albert “Escapay” Gutierrez, Pedro “P. Sherman” Hernandez, and Kelvin “MINE!” Cedeño as they reminisce about the film’s original release, ruminate on why it so enthralled an entire generation of young viewers, discuss the film’s impact in theme parks and on the pet population, and examine the cinematic and personal legacies left in the film’s wake.

Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film:http://www.threecommentears.com/2016/05/finding-nemo/

When you’re done, tell us what you think! Leave a comment below, or e-mail the CommentEARS by sending your thoughts to [email protected]

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The world’s fallen in love with Zootopia, Disney’s smash hit that blends a fantastical mystery with race relations, but the studio’s taken us to animal-run communities before. Viewers may want to re-acquaint themselves with the forests of Nottingham in our 2013 commentary for Robin Hood, or they can venture forth with the CommentEARS into the small town of Oakey Oaks with this brand new commentary for 2005’s animated film, Chicken Little. The antics of these anthropomorphic animals continue to garner mixed reactions from its audience, newly-assessed and analyzed by Albert “Acorn” Gutierrez, Pedro “Tic Tac” Hernandez, and Kelvin “Lollipop” Cedeño. The CommentEARS set forth on a largely non-screen-specific discussion about the production of the film, contextualizing it within the Disney theatrical releases of 2005, and how it fits today within Disney’s own animated canon. In addition, they re-examine their own personal thoughts on the film in comparison to general consensus from both the film’s original release and in the present day, when time has allowed for thoughts to both mellow or strengthen.

Instructions on Syncing Up This Commentary with Your Copy of the Film: http://www.threecommentears.com/2016/04/chicken-little/ When you’re done, tell us what you think! Leave a comment below, or e-mail the CommentEARS by sending your thoughts to [email protected]

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In this latest installment of “Something to Think About,” listeners can enjoy a spoiler-free assessment about Disney’s latest animated feature, Zootopia. The film continues to wow critics and audiences alike, with a box-office intake that is still smashing records, and an unparalleled, positive critical appraisal. At the time of this episode’s recording, Zootopia had only been in American theatres for one day, but had already impressed all four commentators: Albert Gutierrez, Pedro Hernandez, Kelvin Cedeño, and Tony Lopez. Fresh from their first viewings, the quartet share their thoughts on why the film’s such a resounding success, analyze the strength of both its script and vocal performers, and muse on the film’s timely allegory regarding race relations in the modern world.

http://goo.gl/YUenjA

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Originally recorded for Valentine’s Day, we wrap the week with the second of our two Pocahontas commentaries, this time matched to the theatrical version of the film. In this track, Albert Gutierrez, Pedro Hernandez, and Kelvin Cedeño focus on history of all sorts with not only the differing accounts on the real Pocahontas, but also the time period in which Disney’s film was created and the legacy it left behind. Just around the riverbend lies a thorough story and character analysis that we hope helps listeners better appreciate this underrated classic. Note that this commentary is specifically matched to the original 1995 theatrical version. Both that cut and this track run the same length. To maximize your enjoyment of this commentary, please ensure that both your copy of the film and the mp3 begin at the same time. The film’s audio can be heard in the background of our track, acting as a guide in the syncing process. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! 

When you’re done, tell us what you think! Leave a comment below, or e-mail the CommentEARS by sending your thoughts to [email protected] http://goo.gl/lqu85q

[thethreecommentears]

Originally recorded for Valentine’s Day, we discuss one of the most passionate romances in the Disney canon: 1995’s Pocahontas. Because the film exists in two different cuts, we are presenting two different commentaries, each focusing on different subjects at hand. The first of these, matched to the 2005 extended version, features Albert Gutierrez,Antonio Lopez , and Jen Seggio. The trio look at the challenges faced by the production to make something strikingly realistic yet artistically bold, and comparisons are made between the animation and music of this feature and others in the Disney library. They also demonstrate how a musical number once deleted makes all the narrative difference when restored.

Note that this commentary is specifically matched to the 2005 extended version found on the 10th Anniversary DVD. Both that cut and this track run the same length. To maximize your enjoyment of this commentary, please ensure that both your copy of the film and the mp3 begin at the same time. The film’s audio can be heard in the background of our track, acting as a guide in the syncing process. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

http://goo.gl/yC9nOm

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In our third installment of “Something to Think About,” we examine the success of the newest Star Wars film and its effects on the audience and industry as a whole. For “Maz Kanata” (Pedro Hernandez), “General Hux” (Kelvin Cedeño), and “Captain Phasma” (Tony Lopez), the new film elicited very positive responses. “Poe Dameron” (Albert Gutierrez), however, had a few concerns for the film and franchise, which resulted in a less-than-enthusiastic viewing of the film. In addition, we look back on the legacy of the Star Wars franchise through its various stages, recalling how each of us entered the Star Wars fandom, and what the future may hold.

Click below to enjoy the show, then come back and offer your thoughts on the film and the future of the franchise in the hands of Disney:

http://goo.gl/e67SnS

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Hear ye, hear ye! The second of the Three CommentEARS’ Christmas gifts has arrived. Join Pedro Hernandez and Brian Slatky for the 1990 short The Prince and the Pauper. What may seem like an unlikely choice for a holiday commentary proves it has plenty of seasonal cheer to spread around. Along with touching upon the expected changes from the literary source, the pair examine the filmographies of the cast and how this short helped paved the way for more current iterations of these beloved characters.

For syncing instructions and more, click the link below! http://goo.gl/iLOz3D

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Oh, what a merry Christmas Day! As a special holiday treat, the Three CommentEARS are each sharing a commentary with a special guest for three Yuletide shorts. In the first of these, join Albert and Mariel Gutierrez as they look at Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Learn about the storyteller record origins of this short, what changed in the transition, and which voice actors made their character debuts here. The pair also reminisce about their childhood memories and the resonance the piece still carries today.

For syncing instructions and more, click the link below! http://goo.gl/Ap5R2S