American Pop, released in 1981, has got to be one of the best showcase films of Bakshi’s unique animation storytelling style. Not only is the soundtrack great, but the film follows a family through 4 generations of pursuing the American dream, armed with only talent and perseverance. While the definition of American pop music changes with each generation, the general theme of chasing the dream using whatever tools you find at your disposal is constant. underlying struggles against poverty and political strife, pitfalls of addiction and relationship struggles in those landscapes are a constant theme. This continuity is the secret, more than the music itself, to captivating the audience, who all on some level are chasing their own American dream.

Bakshi has a realism in his creations that comes from more than the overlay of animations on real actors. He doesn’t look for the fairy tale ending but rather highlights the ongoing struggles of humanity, warts and all. He never shys from political strife and war, he shows struggles with poverty like someone who has experienced it first hand, and he doesn’t even judge the seedier lifestyle that so many of his characters (at least in this movie) find themselves while trying to eek out a living with the hand their were dealt.

Treat yourself to some Vintage Vinyl Records

American Pop begins with a Jewish widow fleeing war-torn Russia in the 1890s with her young son. They wind up in America where, still a boy, he finds work helping the music director of a Burlesque theater/brothel. Music from Gershwin, Louis Prima and Herbie Hancock cover the early piano and jazz styles. The Mamas and the Papas, and Bob Dylan give way to the Lynard Skynyrd as folk music developed a harder edge and American Pop music became synonymous with rock’n’roll. . But you’ll have to watch the movie to really appreciate this anthem to the American dream.

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Wizards is the work of the great animator and story teller Ralph Bakshi. (He did the animated version of the Lord of the Rings). Like his other cartoons, the intended audience for Wizards is not children. Just take one look at the voluptuous fairy folk or consider the violent themes and you will understand why. Set in a post-apocalyptic world this is the story of good versus evil; magic, love and devotion versus technology , greed and servitude. It’s a dark story, with fantasy characters, but it’s purpose is to show humanity’s pitfalls and how despite repeating the same mistakes over and over, their is always hope.

A combination of Mad Max and Lord of the Rings

Wizards is focused on twin brothers, as opposite in nature as night and day, both capable of great feats of magic. The dark wizard is cruel and alone in his psychotic existence, he uses old tech to attract an army of warriors, who are less than loyal without the proper motivation. The good Wizard has a community that respects him. But watching it I couldn’t help but see the peace and love hippy guru archetype versus the greedy capitalist, who must own and control everything. Of course not all capitalists want world domination and not all peace lovers are unproductive dreamers…but these archetypes frame Bakshi’s concept of good and evil.

Take a peek at Woo Who Vintage

It is often said that magic is simply what science cannot yet explain. In Wizards, science based technology IS dark magic. But where these forces of light and dark are furthest apart is in their adherent’s loyalty. Loyalty born out of love is undaunted, while allegiance born out of fear or greed is fleeting. The evil Wizard Blackwolf has a constant problem keeping his soldiers motivated, so he uses his technology to make himself robots. Perhaps it’s in seeking the perfection of God like power, that one invite’s his creation to become cogniscient and eventually choose its own path. Either way, one of Blackwolf’s robots renames himself Peace, and joins the forces of the good wizard Avatar to help stop the never ending war-machine.

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