Latest news with #Mulan
Forbes
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Disney's ‘Mulan' Returns To Its All-Time Chart Peak
Disney took a major step in diversifying the representation seen in its animated films just before the new millennium with Mulan. The story, which centers around a young woman in ancient China who fights for her family and her country, was well received at the time and has since become a classic. The family film was bolstered by a beloved soundtrack featuring several original songs that stand as some of the best in Disney history, including 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' and 'Reflection.' Now, more than a quarter-century later, the music is still popular. After charming audiences globally when it was first released, the Mulan soundtrack is, surprisingly, back on the Billboard charts. Mulan Reenters the Kid Albums Ranking The Mulan soundtrack has found its way back to the Kid Albums chart, which ranks the most consumed musical projects in America aimed at a young audience. On that tally, Mulan reenters at No. 19. That position marks the title's all-time high on the list. A Rare Appearance for a Disney Favorite Despite being released more than 25 years ago, Mulan has only spent nine weeks on the Kid Albums chart. This frame marks just the ninth time it has appeared on the roster. Mulan is the only title on the 25-spot ranking that wasn't present last time around. There isn't much dramatic movement on the list this week, which is common for the relatively quiet chart. An Oscar Nomination, but No Win Mulan was only nominated for one Academy Award, in the category of Best Original Musical or Comedy Score – which speaks to how the music created for the film was recognized at the time. The nomination honored composer Jerry Goldsmith, as well as Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, who were behind the songs that power the soundtrack. That trio ultimately lost to Shakespeare in Love by Stephen Warbeck. At the time, the Oscars did not have a category for animated films, as that field was only introduced in 2001, when Shrek became the first winner.
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Country living a cut above for retailers
Operating a seven-day-a-week retail business for nearly three decades might sound like a slog. But as well-known Omarama retailers Craig and Glenys Dawson tell business editor Sally Rae, they found the secret sauce. It was back in 1999 when Craig and Glenys Dawson traded corporate life for country living. Both originally from Dunedin, they had been living in Oamaru and holidaying up the road in Omarama where they had bought a holiday home eight years earlier. Continually drawn to the Waitaki Valley township, they decided to make the move to permanent, acquiring the former Omarama Trading Post and embarking on a retail career. GlenCraig's Clothing quickly outgrew the tiny store which was rebuilt in 2001. In the early years, the business catered for the "top half" of the body, and later added the bottom. The Dawsons started with one very good sales representative who put them in front of other representatives and the business grew having significant turnover, which they were proud of. With their strongest trading years since Covid-19, the couple said they were "bowing out on a high" as they prepared to sell up. Now in their 60s, they wanted to do "more tripping around" although they had structured the business so both they and their staff had plenty of time off. When they started employing staff, they divided the work day into two shifts — from 8am to 1pm, and from 1pm to 5.30pm — so everyone could enjoy the lifestyle Omarama afforded. Weekends were the busiest days and, by being open seven days, potential customers always knew that they were open. One wintry Sunday in June, Mr Dawson had just $53 in the till at 2pm when a van-load of two families walked in and spent $2000 on clothing. With Omarama conveniently sited at the junction of State Highway 8 and 83 — "a blue ribbon route" — there was more traffic during the busy months than through State Highway 1 in Oamaru, Mr Dawson said. Although Omarama was a popular tourist stop, the couple had intentionally targeted the domestic market and that was something tourists liked. Omarama was a melting pot of visiting nationalities and their clientele was diverse; from Norwegian fishermen to hunters from the United States. They might sell socks to a passing truck driver, a pair of moleskin trousers to a farmer, a shawl to wear to a wedding and sandals for a Fiji holiday. There was strong support from both the local community and wider central South Island area. Notable visitors included American millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett, accompanied by former Nasa test pilot Einar Enevoldson, who spent time in Omarama attempting a gliding altitude record. There were also customers from the movies Mulan and Lord of the Rings which were filmed nearby. They had just finishing rebuilding the shop in 2001 when three very well-dressed men came in. As they left, the Dawsons realised one had a jersey over his arm which he had not paid for. When he started to run through the town, some locals clicked on and managed to apprehend him, returning him to the store until police arrived. It turned out he was wanted by Interpol and his two mates — who had driven off — were later apprehended while crossing Cook Strait. But the couple believed shoplifting was not a major problem because it was an intimate experience visiting the shop, and they and their staff engaged with customers. They had a fairly simple and positive approach to business and Mr Dawson did not get too bothered by the likes of business confidence surveys — he said the biggest secret was "keep your head down and keep going". They did not "sweat the small stuff". Their stock was practical and it was also the stuff they liked personally. From the outset, they wanted to stock good quality products at a slightly lower mark-up. Omarama lies within a significant fine wool growing area and the Dawsons were passionate supporters of the fibre, stocking many woollen items. They did not stock polypropylene thermals, saying helicopter pilots in the area could tell if people were wearing synthetic fibres — because of the smell. Recently, they replaced the 23-year-old wool carpet in the shop which, apart from in the main traffic areas, was still in good condition, with New Zealand-made carpet tiles from Wools of New Zealand, sourced from an Omarama carpet business. Mr Dawson said having previously worked in the insurance industry, he could walk into a house after a fire and tell immediately what sort of carpet was in it. If it was nylon, then "everything was black and charred and foul", but if it was wool — with its fire-retardant properties — then it was only singed. With both coming from the corporate sector, it was so nice to be able to "call our own tunes" and it had been a wonderful lifestyle. "It's not really a time to be sad, it's just the next part of our life. If I look back, I wouldn't do anything different. It's just been a fun journey," Mr Dawson said. Both have been heavily involved in the Omarama community — feeling it was important to give back — and Mr Dawson has had two stints as a councillor on the Waitaki District Council and he has also been chairman of the Ahuriri Community Board. Much of the progress in the town had come through businesses and it was a strong community with everyone making a contribution, Mrs Dawson said. For them, everything was at the back door and they did a lot of swimming in the lake, enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle and the "beautiful" air. After five minutes out on Lake Benmore on the boat, it felt like they were on holiday, even if it was just for the afternoon, Mrs Dawson said. "We think it's the most beautiful spot in the world," her husband added. Already, there had been interest expressed in the business and both acknowledged they would miss it when they walked out the door for the final time. Their corgi Lizzie — named after the late Queen Elizabeth — was also likely to miss it. With the Dawsons living only five minutes from the shop, 8 and-a-half-year-old Lizzie was very familiar with the route and, when let off the lead, would run through the door. "She's probably going to keep coming," Mrs Dawson said.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Donny Osmond belts out Disney favourite before hospital procedure
Donny Osmond, 67, posted a video of himself undergoing an unspecified medical procedure on Wednesday, 9 July. Before the surgery, Osmond sang "Make a Man Out Of You" from Disney 's Mulan, a song he originally performed as the singing voice for Captain Shang. He continued singing the song after the procedure, though visibly weaker and with less enthusiasm. Osmond shared the clip with his 212,000 followers, saying he felt "all better now" and that the song helped him "power through" the procedure. Watch the video in full above.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Donny Osmond sings his classic Disney hit as he prepares for hospital procedure
Watch as Donny Osmond sings his classic Disney hit as he undergoes a medical procedure. The 67-year-old singer posted a video of himself lying in a hospital bed both before and after an unspecified surgery on Wednesday (9 July). Before the procedure, the singer begins belting out 'Make a Man Out Of You' from the Disney 1998 hit Mulan, where he provided the singing voice to the title character's love interest Captain Shang. Later in the clip following the surgery, Osmond continues singing the song, though visibly weak and with much less enthusiasm. Sharing the clip to his 212,000 followers, he said: 'What better way to power through a procedure than singing your alltime favorite rally song?! I'm feeling all better now!'
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Donny Osmond's Biggest Song Advances Yet Again
Donny Osmond's 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' from Mulan is now triple platinum, making it his ... More most-certified track, as it surpasses all his other solo hits combined. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 29: Entertainer Donny Osmond reacts onstage after the Las Vegas Raiders' 90th overall pick was announced during round three of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 29, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) After finding fame with his family, Donny Osmond enjoyed a hugely successful solo career in the music world beginning in the early 1970s and continuing for well over a decade. During those years, he scored more than a dozen hits on the Hot 100 and transitioned from a teen superstar into a respected singer and performer. Osmond isn't racking up smashes like he used to, but people are still listening to his catalog. Amazingly, his biggest commercial success in the United States when looking at certified units moved is a tune that some might not even realize he sang, as it wasn't his face that delivered the track to the public. 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' by Donny Osmond Osmond lent his vocals to the Disney film Mulan, where he voiced the character of Captain Li Shang — but only when singing. Actor BD Wong provided the character's speaking voice, while Osmond performed his tracks, most notably 'I'll Make a Man Out of You.' That cut has long stood as Osmond's highest-certified song by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), and it has added to its already impressive total yet again. Donny Osmond's Biggest Hit Song The RIAA has certified 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' triple platinum. The tune has now shifted three million equivalent units in the United States between sales and streaming activity. The song earns its first new certification in more than two years, as it was named double platinum in March 2023. Donny Osmond's Six Other Gold Records Under his solo name, Osmond has seen half a dozen other tracks earn certifications from the RIAA, but so far, all of them — 'The Twelfth of Never,' 'Hey Girl,' 'Puppy Love,' 'Go Away Little Girl,' 'Sweet and Innocent,' and 'I'm Leaving It (All Up to You)' with his sister Marie — have only been certified gold, which means they each moved 500,000 equivalent units. None of those tunes have snagged a certification from the music industry organization since the 1970s, which means they all sold half a million copies during their heyday. One Song Stands Out as Donny Osmond's Most Successful 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' has now moved as many equivalent units in the U.S. as all of Osmond's other hits combined. It is Osmond's only track that has added to its total this millennium, and the tune remains a standout from the Mulan soundtrack more than a quarter century after it was first released.
