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The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Disney Animates a Classic Tale

The Hunchback of Notre Dame was premiered on June 22, 1996. It marked the 34th animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Inspired by Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the film varies considerably from the source material. This variance ensured the film received a G rating, but defenders and fans of the movie point out the fact that the it does address some rather mature themes, including lust, infanticide, religious hypocrisy, prejudice, and social injustice. Curiously, this is the first animated Disney movie to use the word “damn,” though it is used only in the spiritual sense.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame was the second Disney film directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, the directors of the incredibly successful Beauty and the Beast. The duo was eager to make Victor Hugo’s book more fitting for children. This included making the film’s heroes, Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Phoebus, kinder than in the novel (Phoebus, in fact, was a villain in the novel), adding three anthropomorphic stone gargoyles in the form of sidekicks, and keeping Quasimodo and Esmeralda alive at the end.

The plot of the film centers on four main characters: the Gypsy dancer, Esmeralda; Claude Frollo, a ruthless judge who lusts after her; Quasimodo, Notre Dame’s kind-hearted, but deformed, bell ringer; and Phoebus, the chivalrous, if irreverent, military captain, who holds affections for her. Quasimodo’s only friends are a trio of gargoyles that inhabit the bell tower. The filmmakers argue these gargoyles could only exist in Quasimodo’s head, acting as “pieces of his identity.” This supposition falls flat, however, when the viewer takes into account how Esmeralda’s goat, Djali, briefly sees the gargoyle named Hugo come to life. Indeed, in the film’s sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2, Madallaine, Quasimodo’s love interest, can see the gargoyles.

The response to the film was generally favorable, though critics, such as Arnaud Laster, a leading Victor Hugo scholar, accused Disney of simplifying, editing, and bowledrizing the novel in many aspects, including the personalities of the characters. In his review, Laster wrote that the animators “don’t have enough confidence in their own emotional feeling” and that the film “falls back on cliches.”

Regardless, in its opening weekend, the film opened in second place at the box office, grossing $21 million. The film, unfortunately, experienced a decline in subsequent weeks, finally grossing just over $100 million domestically and about $325 million worldwide. The Hunchback of Notre Dame failed to top its predecessors, like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Pocahontas, marking the end of the Disney renaissance launched by The Little Mermaid. The film only managed to earn one Academy Award nomination, for Best Original Score by Alan Menken. A direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2, was released in 2002.

July 13th, 2008 Posted by Steve Collins | Arts & Entertainment | no comments

Credit Cards: How to Capitalize Owning One?

Credit cards compete for your business by offering incentives such as low introductory interest rates or rewards to new customers like free flights and cash back. These rewards are generally based on how heavily you use your card. There’s a trick to these incentives and we’ll show you how to take advantage of these incentive programs.

Credit cards compete for your business by offering incentives such as low introductory interest rates or rewards to new customers like free flights and cash back. These rewards are generally based on how heavily you use your card. There’s a trick to these incentives and we’ll show you how to take advantage of these incentive programs.

Rewards cards: You should shop around for the best deal you can find if you decide to go with a card which comes with rewards. Find rewards which you will actually use; for example, free flights as a reward makes little sense if you don’t fly often or do not plan to charge a lot on this particular card - these cards often require a lot of spending to actually get the rewards.

Shop around a little and find a reward that works for you. Cash back rewards are very popular. Be sure to read the fine print before you apply for the card. Ask the rep if there is a limitation on the amount of rewards you can claim. Some card companies will only allow you to claim a specific amount and once you get there, the rewards disappear.

Additionally, ask if there is a time limit on the rewards - they will sometimes only be valid for a limited time and will expire if you don’t use them.

If a gas station reward card looks tempting to you, make sure that there is a participating gas station near you before you sign up.

Low introductory rates: This one has a lot of possibilities. For instance, let’s suppose that you have a credit card which has a 19% APR (annual percentage rate). You make a few small charges and have a balance which can be paid off easily within six months. Then you find a card with a one year 9.9% introductory APR for new customers. You could get this new card, transfer your old balance to it and pay it off much more quickly while saving a substantial amount of money. You could then either cancel the old card or save it in case you ever need it.

Remember to take advantage of the fierce competition between the credit card companies; it can really work out in your favor. Shop around and see what is out there, you might be surprised by what you find.

Always do your homework ahead of time. You can gain a lot by doing this. Don’t be in a hurry to sign up for the first credit card which waves a reward your way.

July 13th, 2008 Posted by Steven J. Talrechi | Finance | no comments

A nanny cam, for a better tomorrow for your children.

Look around and we are not living in a safe environment and we cannot just sit and not react to the changing world. There have been news episodes flooding the news industry about how children are among the first to be targeted. If we thought that our little ones are safe when entrusted in care of a nanny then we need to think twice. The child minder could be misusing the trust to play videos games and neglecting our child.

Now with a nanny cam you can keep a vigilant eye on your child minder and know her whereabouts. This idea may seem new to many, but it is worth the money to know and be less stressful that your child is in safe hands and is protected. My aunt Susanne is a gynaecologist and she has been bringing babies to life for quite a while now. She herself delivered a beautiful little girl Emma about six months ago.

My Uncle Sam is a physician and my aunt Rosanne is a gynaecologist herself, they had a beautiful daughter just about six months. After a six month maternity leave when she was planning to return back to their working schedules they were very concerned about the well being of their little one. They were in search of a practical and affordable option; the first thing that came into their mind was a nanny. They were quite apprehensive about handling their little toddler into hands of a stranger. Now with a nanny cam you can be rest assured.

A nanny cam is just like any other object that is right in front of you but has a camera installed in it. This high tech video camera can be placed in any part of your home. The options can range from your mundane furniture to a toy with which the baby plays with. You can find even nanny cams installed even in wall clocks at the www.my-spycam.com. Times have changed and technology has left its mark on every sphere of life. The most alluring benefit of this cameras are that they are so light weight and easy to place anywhere.

The internet shopping brings a whole new world right in the comfort of our home. The site is simple, hassle free and it is so easy and just a few mouse clicks away. I recommended my aunt to visit the online site too and she was so amazed at the options that were available. She has a very limited budget still she got a bargain with all the features she wanted. They both are so happy with the way things have fared up since then they just love what it is doing for them as a family. The greatest feeling that you get when you have purchased this asset is that peace of mind and you’re regaining the trust in child care. You can surely find one model that will fit your personnel and professional needs at www.my-spycam.com .

July 13th, 2008 Posted by Todd Martin | Home & Garden | no comments

Buying the Right Air Compressor for You

Are you in the market for an air compressor? Air compressors are an ideal piece of equipment for operating power tools and they are more efficient than other alternatives. There are many reputable brands to choose from including Copeland, Husky and Quincy. There are a number of factors to consider when determining which compressor is right for you. Here are some things to consider when purchasing an air compressor for your personal or professional use.

First off, you need to consider what tools you’ll be using the high pressure air compressor with. Some tools don’t need a high volume compressor so you can look into less expensive compressors that will satisfy your requirements. If, on the other hand you have tools that require a steady air flow such as drills and sanders then you’ll need a high volume compressor. Check the amount of power required for your power tools and make sure to purchase an air compressor that has more than enough horsepower and PSI (pounds per square inch) pressure.

There are two common types of pumps for air compressors and which one you choose depends on your usage. Direct drive pumps don’t take up too much room in your work area and no oil changes are required. However, they are ideal for only moderate use and will last up to 500 hours. For professional use (as well as personal) a belt drive pump will last for about 1500 hours but they take up more room and require an oil change every 500 hours.

Air compressors have different size tanks and the size depends on the amount of work you’ll be doing. The more you use your tools the larger the tank should be so you can get optimal usage from your equipment.

Your budget has a large factor in determining which compressor you decide on. Prices vary depending on features, power, and brand. You usually get what you pay for but you can find good deals on older models. You can also find good deals online but make sure you take into account the cost of shipping. Sometimes shipping is included in the price so as long as you’re willing to wait, buying a compressor online can save you some money.

If you’re on a tight budget or want more for your money then consider buying a used air compressor. Ask how much “life” the compressor has and make sure you test it out before paying. If you decide to buy a used machine online then make sure there is a return policy in case it doesn’t work properly.

Shop around before settling on one. Ask others for recommendations and check the internet for user reviews and ratings. Make sure you get a warranty for at least one year.

July 13th, 2008 Posted by Johnathan Bakers | Home & Family | no comments

Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance Explained

Many people in good health go in for mortgage payment protection insurance. This is a logical, intelligent step. There are many people who want to protect their family from suffering financially in case an illness prohibits them from attending work for some time. People end up buying a mortgage payment protection policy as insurance against this possibility. The threat of losing a home because of unforeseen problems in making the mortgage payment is a scary thought for almost everyone. So, mortgage payment protection insurance is a viable consideration for many scenarios.

Mortgage payment protection insurance is a type of insurance that ensures the repayment of a mortgage in the event that you cannot, due to unanticipated happenings. Such events may include the occurrence of a critical illness, incapacitating accident or unemployment. While such situations remain an everyday fact of life, having a mortgage payment protection insurance can be vital. However, the mortgage payment protection insurance has strict criteria. So, your claim would not be eligible if: you voluntarily become unemployed, do not seek for work after becoming unemployed or take part time work after losing your permanent job.

Furthermore, with mortgage payment protection insurance, benefits are not awarded immediately after making a claim. Basically, mortgage payment protection insurance may wait until 4 months. During or after this time period, if the mortgage payment protection policyholder is acceptable, then the insurance may start to supply monthly benefits. Also, mortgage payment protection insurance may ask for re-qualification on a monthly basis. With this said, the mortgage payment protection insurance may give forms that have to be filled to confirm eligibility. In addition to, mortgage payment protection insurance can award payments for a set period of time depending upon the policy that had been chosen. Some mortgage payment protection policies can provide benefits up to 24 months and payments are usually made one month in arrears.

There are many different types of mortgage protection plans. Mortgage payment protection plan preferences differ depending on your personal situation. As with any insurance, no matter how justified your claim is, you may have to work to get it paid. While this can seem like a big hassle, it is still better than not having any resources at all to turn to when it comes to paying your mortgage. This way, your family doesn’t have to worry about anything except you getting back to better health, and you can concentrate on getting well instead of worrying about your mortgage payment.

Mortgage payment protection insurance can even be obtained while borrowing the mortgage. However, this can be a very expensive way to buy such a cover. On the other hand, you may obtain more affordable mortgage payment protection schemes from independent providers. By doing this, you may then be able to make considerable savings on premiums while enjoying from a sound mortgage payment protection insurance.

July 13th, 2008 Posted by Rob Fisher | Finance | no comments