#Mulan was indeed my favorite disney princess
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To all my trans brothers out there:
Who was your favorite Disney princess?
Why was it Mulan?
And are you a man now?
#transmasc#trans memes#I have been listening to that song on repeat since i was a kid#I'm almost a man!#I'll get there!#trans#transgender#I really need a gym buddy so i can make Shang proud of me#full disclosure#Mulan was indeed my favorite disney princess#this joke just happened to clock me SO HARD#lol
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8, 9, 20, 29
8. do you change into specific clothes for the house when you get home?
I do. My go to at home outfit (unless it’s too hot for this in which case I’m hating life lol) is some sort of lounge pants, pj pants, or sweats, and then a tank top of some kind, and a zip up hoodie over that. Peak comfort! 👌
9. do you have a skincare routine (and how many steps is it)?
I do indeed. In the morning (including the gentle face cleanse in the shower) there’s 3-4 steps. And at night there’s 4 steps. I’m way more into skincare in my late 30s than I ever was before. 🧖♀️
20. favorite disney princess movie?
Sooo hard, and I don’t think I can pick just one. It’s a tie for me between Mulan and Tangled.
29. preferred pasta noodle?
That’s so hard cuz it totally depends on the type of dish. 🤔 but for something like a meat and marinara sauce I think I most often choose rigatoni or penne.
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And Cinderella is my favorite. And I can’t defend Prince Charming at all, although I think what I appreciate about their dynamic is that it follows this standard trope across history and stories of a man going on a hero’s journey to win the love of his woman. Did it give me unrealistic expectations? Yeah
// Cinderella was my favourite when I was very young, but I overplayed it and then got sick of it, so I played myself 😅 But I rewatched it recently and loved it again, so there you go
In fairness, in the animated Disney version, the prince doesn't go when they get all the women to try on the shoes, so that argument of 'but how doesn't he know what she looks like?' is invalid. Prince Charming doesn't have a whole lot going for him in the first film, but he does in the third film, cos he's not really the main character in the first film (he's just the love interest, and tbf, it's nice to see the roles reversed)
I feel like Disney gave everyone unrealistic expectations with love. It's hard not to get swept up that, especially when you're young and you don't know any better
It is indeed Monday for me, but by the time you read this ask, it'll likely be Monday for you too, so I hope you enjoy your Monday too
Honestly I feel like you can tell so much about someone based on their favorite princess. Like belle speaks to the more introverted bookish types a lot. I think Ariel speaks to those with an adventurous streak. For me it was Pocahontas, Cinderella and Mulan. I think Pocahontas connected to my Native American roots and I’ve always been spiritual, so the references to nature in that one connected with me. Mulan I connected to her strength and will power.
But Cinderella was always my favorite and I think it’s part of that feeling unloved and unseen but still being a good person and hoping that that’s enough. I think people who feel neglected a lot of times connect to Cinderella. And I think there is a part of me and others who like Cinderella who romanticize the idea of someone coming to save us from the pain one day.
Idk because I think for some people, love is like a Disney film. Maybe I’m just too hopeful but I do think the message in Cinderella is about how love can save us. And that’s true. Maybe it’s not the love of a prince, it’s the love of self, but love is what saves us. So much of unhappiness and pain can be rooted to a perceived lack of love. The energy of anti love.
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HLAW: Day 2 Post—“What I Love to Do”
Good evening and a very happy Hana Lee Appreciation Week! Getting this in literally a minute before midnight my time, but my first contribution for the week is a list of things Hana enjoys, both what she’s mentioned in the series as well as my own head canons.
Tagging @hanaleeappreciationweek and the amazing hosts @lizzybeth1986 and @sazanes!
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As highlighted by day 1 of HLAW, the piano is Hana’s passion and she shows a general love of music, particularly lullabies
She enjoys shopping trips particularly for clothing, as illustrated during her trip with MC in New York and her fond memories of shopping in Paris with her mother
Hana loves nature and flowers especially, and in the future I imagine she’d pick up a related hobby such as oshibana (pressed flower art)
Other future hobbies that seem befitting of her are photography, penjing, and poetry; the last is inspired by the amazing poem @lizzybeth1986 wrote for her day 2 post!
The library scene in TRR2 demonstrates how much Hana loves reading, with her favorite book being Pride and Prejudice (and Jane Bennet being one of her childhood role models)
Other titles/authors/genres she’s mentioned liking include Charlotte’s Web, Emily Dickinson, Wuthering Heights, sci-fi novels, manhua, and romance (the last not expressly mentioned yet is a certainty nonetheless given her romantic nature)
Additionally I believe she’d also enjoy the kishōtenketsu narrative style; this post here describes it as “plot without conflict,” the major element that would appeal to Hana
The Warmest Winter and Cassandra Leigh are her favorite movie and actress, and I head canon that after watching the Disney Princess movies, Rapunzel would be the favorite with Mulan as a very close second
Based on how Hana loves Portavira for having the best popcorn shrimp, I think she’s a fan of shrimp in general, and thus head canon that at her favorite restaurant in Shanghai, she always orders the wontons with shrimp filling
Dumplings are one of her comfort foods (with the burritos from the series being a decent substitute) along with chocolate milk shakes
Hana’s favorite skill is her ability to make hot chocolate, and she seems to enjoy baking as well; she also liked elements of dressage, which I’d wager would be the competitive aspect given how she didn’t like adhering to all the rules
She states that she used to consider herself more of a cat person but has never met an animal she didn’t like, yet I still say cats are her absolute favorite of them all and she definitely gets multiple in the future
Continuing with pets and also not having any toys, I imagine once Hana discovered Tamagotchis existing, she would become invested in collecting all the versions of the virtual pets
Even if she has no interest in modeling, she clearly enjoys fashion; indeed, I head canon that the grandmother she sewed her black cheongsam with was a former fashion designer and the one who fueled Hana’s passion
#playchoices#choices#the royal romance#trr#hana lee#hanaleeappreciationweek#hlaw#hlaw day 2#head canons#now time to reblog the other wonderful works that have been produced!
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Walt Disney Animated Pictures Studios from Worst to Best-Part Six: The Top Ten BEST Disney Fillms
Salutations, random people on the internet who certainly won’t read this! I am an Ordinary Schmuck! I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.
Here it is: The top ten BEST movies from Walt Disney Animated Pictures Studios. These are the films that are masterpieces, being films that you must see if you’re a true Disney fan. If you don’t like them…that’s fine. But trust me when I say that there are FAR worse movies to hate then these ten. They made it this for for a reason, and let’s find out where they fall, shall we?
#10. Moana-And now we have the movie that perfectly represents the modern age of Disney. It leans even more towards comedy, works harder to perfect CGI animation, and often pokes fun at Disney’s tropes while still embracing them. Sometimes it works, but other times…
…Yeah.
I will say, the biggest strength Moana has is its titular character. She’s still the princess–
“She’s not a princess.”
SHUT UP!
Anyways, she’s still the princess who wants more, but there’s a difference between her and other princesses: She actually does most of the work in saving the day. Sure, Maui (who is also a pretty great character) helps her along the way, but only to teach her the basics of wayfinding. When it comes to actually doing the mission, guess who does most of the heavy lifting. And you can argue all the logistics in calling Moana a Disney Princess, she’s at least the first one I can think of who actually governs her people and genuinely leads them. Can’t really say that about a lot of the other Disney Princesses, who just sit around and waiting. So, while some things…
…don’t work in the slightest, I can at least appreciate Moana for giving us a princess who gets s**t done rather than relying on a big, strong, handsome man to do most of the work for her.
#9. Aladdin-...This is one of my favorite Disney movies. I love its animation with how fluid and expressive it can be, "One Jump Ahead," "Friend Like Me," and "Prince Ali" are some of my favorite Disney songs, and the characters are just so wonderful. Jasmine's probably not the best role model to have, but she still bounces well off of Aladdin for me to look past it. Jafar's motivation is basic, but his personality is so over-the-top that it more than makes up for it. Both Iago and Abu are solid sidekicks, with the late and great Gilbert Gottfried giving a few laughs as Iago. And do I even have to say anything about Robin Williams as the Genie?
But, by far, the best thing about Aladdin is, turns out, Aladdin himself. He's not only one of my favorite characters in the movie, nor my favorite character in a Disney property, but Aladdin is one of my favorite fictional characters. He's someone who gets out of a situation not with his might but with his wits. And I love a hero like that. One how outsmarts a villain rather than outfight them. That right there is a genuine role model to look up to, and I'm all for it.
Aladdin will always hold a special place in my heart. It might not be number one, but only because there's a difference between saying something's the best and something being my favorite. Still, it earns its spot.
#8. Mulan-“But you ranked Pocahontas so low because it was so historically inaccurate! Why is this different?”
THE HISTORICAL INACCURACIES WEREN’T THE PROBLEM AND YOU KNOW IT!
While Disney certainly took some creative liberties, they still remembered one important detail: Mulan is a hero.
Did the real Mulan kill dozens of Hun soldiers with an avalanche and single handedly save the emperor? Probably not. I don’t know jack about history. But, hey, at least the movie recognizes that she was an honorable soldier who did indeed earn the emperor’s favor only to deny the job he offered. Plus, Movie Mulan is an entertaining character even despite certain changes for the film. She worked hard to be a good soldier, was smart enough to outthink a general, and kind and respectable among her men. Now, is it weird that they gave Mushu a little too much influence on this version of Mulan’s journey? Yes. But do you want to know what’s a little less weird and a little more awesome? A “Disney Princess” wielding a sword. I mean, she rarely uses a sword, but it’s still awesome. On that note, it’s actually great how much this movie roots for “girl power” without trying too hard. Mulan isn’t this perfect warrior who wowed everyone the second she joined the army. It took time, effort, and a whole lot of training to do what she did, proving that any young girl could be like her. Everything else can be a bit inaccurate, but that little fact will always be true.
Also, if you’re worried about how China feels about this film, just know that they hate the 2020 remake more. So, you know…take that for what it is.
#7. Tangled-I always forget how funny this movie is. Almost every single moment has me cackling from the great comedic timing, slapstick, expressions, and delivery from…basically every single character in the movie. Everyone has their own comedic quirks that make them hilarious and add so much fun to the film…Except for the King and Queen, who have the most heartbreaking scene that is perfectly illustrated without a single word.
This brings me to another part of Tangled that’s great: the drama. Despite the great humor, there are still some tense and emotional scenes that succeed in getting the right reaction out of me. Mother Gothal, specifically, sells it as being a realistic manipulative kidnapper, who gives me goosebumps with how accurately she deals with Rapunzel like many real life kidnappers would. It makes her a decent threat, while still being well-balanced by her cynical humor. And that’s another thing about Tangled: The comedy and drama are both equally balanced, with neither feeling like they take away from the other. If there’s anything to complain about with Tangled, it’s that the animation is starting to show its age despite it being made in–2010?!
This movie came out in 2010?! I remember seeing it in theaters with my parents and sister! Is this what feeling old feels like?! Am I old now?! F**K!
Ok, well, anyways, this movie’s great. It’s funny and emotional in all the right ways even if the animation isn’t as great as it once was.
Also, yes, I’ve seen the show…it’s not my thing. NEXT!
#6. Wreck It Ralph-The comedy in this movie is hit or miss. There are some good jokes every now and again, but there are many more that just gets me rolling my eyes. But that’s fine because the comedy isn’t what makes the movie special. It’s the characters.
Ralph’s motivation is understandable, even if he does make some pretty risky decisions and a handful of mistakes. He still manages to put things right and, eventually, his heart is in the right place when dealing with Vanellope. Speaking of which, Ralph and Vanellope’s relationship is all kinds of wholesome, making it heartwarming seeing them bond and even heartbreaking seeing them…go through some stuff. They’re a great dynamic duo, and are much more entertaining than Felix and Sergeant Calhoun, who…could have had a relationship that was funny but was overall just…meh. But do you want to know what wasn’t ‘meh?’ The villain. I won’t give away who it is, but Wreck It Ralph is the only case where a Disney Twist Villain was done right. You see hints of who they are and what they’re planning scattered through the movie, to the point that if you paid close attention, the big reveal wouldn’t have been that surprising. Plus, the villain’s pretty funny to boot, both in what they say and how they move.
Overall, Wreck It Ralph is solid. The comedy was a little weak, but the foundations that the characters lay make for a great, standalone movie…That never had a sequel. Shut up.
#5. Lilo and Stitch-Yet another childhood favorite of mine. And, dang it, I can’t name a better movie that fills me with greater joy than Lilo and Stitch. Particularly because of, well, Lilo and Stitch. Both are well-written and well-directed characters that make this movie what it is. Lilo is one of the most accurate child characters in fiction, feeling authentic in her behavior and desires. She wants friends and people to like her, it’s just that, unfortunately, no one understands the things that Lilo likes or just how her mind operates. The only person who understands is Nani, who, despite some frustrations, genuinely cares about Lilo, wanting to do anything and everything to keep her around. Their relationship together not only brings forth some heartwarming moments, but even some compelling drama that hits me where it hurts.
And then there’s Stitch. A character that is equal parts adorable and disgusting, crafty and insane, and even hilarious and heartbreaking. Stitch is the whole package, and the slow build of his loyalty to Lilo is as believable as it is endearing. And with Stitch comes Jumba and Pleakley, who add most of the humor through their failures to capture him as well as dealing with Earth. Some say they take away from the drama with Nani and Lilo, but personally I don’t see it. I’m still invested with what Nani and Lilo are going through despite some cartoonish sci-fi nonsense. If anything, they add more humor, which I’m not going to knock. Not with how much both of them get a chuckle out of me.
I might be biased because this is one of those movies I’ve watched a dozen times as a kid…but I don’t care. I felt nothing but happiness when watching every minute of it, and if a movie can still do that to me all these years later, who am I to complain?
#4. The Lion King-This movie is best described as grandiose. The animation is larger than life, there are some epic set-pieces that are both musical and action packed, and the score is a wonder to the ears. It’s incredible to watch…even though there are some problems to be had. For one, there’s the characters. None of them are bad by any means, but there are a few that get to me a bit. The main source of my issues is Scarr. He was an engaging and terrifying villain with a silver tongue that got him everything he ever wanted, but once he actually gets what he wants, he becomes a wuss AND a bully somehow. Then there’s Timone and Pumba, who are funny…to a point. There are times when they get annoying and you can actually see how they influenced some of the more aggravating comedic animal sidekicks in the worst possible way. Finally, there’s the message, which is a well-intentioned one. It’s good to teach kids that they need to learn from the mistakes they’ve made in the past rather than put those mistakes behind them. The problem is that the lesson falls a little short when Simba doesn’t really make that big of a mistake to own up to. Scarr killed Mufasa. Not Simba. So he really has nothing to own up to other than leaving, which wasn’t really his fault either. It feels weird to rank The Lion King higher than others films, as I’ve seen past and even future Disney movies that have better characters and well executed morals. Yet, with how much work that went into making The Lion King the spectacle that it is, I can’t help but rank it higher. Other films did things better than it, but, eh. Hakuna Mattata, is what I say.
#3. Frozen-”NO!”
Hear me out!
“NO!”
Hear! Me! Out!
Once upon a time, we all loved Frozen. And those who didn’t respectfully agreed that it is worth being loved. But then Disney kept shoving Frozen into our faces and our ears to the point where we all got so gosh dang sick of it, where even those who loved the movie started avoiding it like the plague. Suddenly, a movie that was originally flawless started being remembered more for it’s flaws. For one, Elsa is more of a plot device than an actual character. She isn’t bad, but it’s not a good thing that her big song feels a little empty when there was no real build up to her embracing her wild side. And the movie also has the most infamous Disney Twist Villain to date, having a character that comes with a well intentioned message of not trusting a pretty face, but is horribly executed with how the character acts pre and post the big reveal.
These flaws are brought up a lot…but I still wouldn’t call the movie bad. Because, to tell you the truth, there are more pros than cons to Frozen. The other characters, for example, are actually pretty decent. Anna is adorkably endearing, Kristoph gives a lot of laughs as the film’s straight man, and Olaf…is someone you either love or you hate. Yeah, even I’ll admit he’s the perfect balance of annoying and funny.
As for the story, it is also pretty decent. The best way to describe Frozen as a modernized Disney fairytale. There are still the usual tropes and themes, but also some friendly jabs and a few altercations to make the movie feel like an improvement. Like the running joke about how crazy it is to marry someone you just met or actually making Elsa the first Disney queen instead of a princess. Turns out, queens don’t have to be evil. That’s nice.
And the songs. The songs are all pretty great…except for “Fixer Upper.” It’s…below average. But even then, it’s still catchy enough where it isn’t awful. In fact, none of the songs are awful. Yes, even the one that makes you want to shove an ice pick into your ears. “Let It Go” is beautiful in the way that it’s orchestrated, sung, and sometimes even animated, getting a genuine smile on my face when I heard it. And, admit it: Before you heard it everywhere you went, there was a time when you replayed that song over and over again, just because you willingly wanted to hear it. Maybe the song is a little empty due to Elsa’s character, but it’s still wonderful to hear and a spectacle to see.
Which brings me to another reason why Frozen’s great: The spectacle. There was so much effort into making this movie the grand film that it is that I honestly can’t hate it. It’s the same with The Lion King. There are probably better written movies in Disney’s line up…but I can’t help but rank Frozen higher for how much it amazes me. It might be a bit weird, but do you want to know what I say to that? Let it go…
Though, admittingly, there’s one thing better than spectacle. And that’s spectacle with substance.
#2. Encanto-I believe there are three things we all love about Disney: The music, the animation, and the characters. With Encanto, it checks off every one of those boxes and THEN some.
This just might be Disney’s best musical to date. The songs are all incredible, having so much life within them, making each one really stand out as incredible and addicting. Most musicals, especially ones made by Disney, tend to have one, maybe two songs that’s a bit skippable, but that’s not really the case with Encanto. I can listen to and watch every song in the movie and still have a fun time with each one as they’re orchestrated, sung, and choreographed to perfection. It’s also the choreography that should get more attention, as everyone and everything moves to the beat of each song so well that it just makes me smile throughout all of it. The animators even had a whole dance number to use as a reference when animating “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” making it even more of a sight to see.
Speaking of, the animation is just gorgeous. This is a time when Disney really nailed the CGI animation, having fluid movements and wild expressions that makes Encanto a blast to watch. The character designs are also where the movie shines, as everyone in the main cast looks unique while still looking like a family. There are physical features that show how they’re all related, such as sharp chins and types of hair, but other features and clothing help illustrate who they are. Like Abuela Alma, who’s stiff stature and dark clothing help make her look like a stereotypical Disney villain, which not only works for her character but there’s also a good reason for it, making her seem more sympathetic than apathetic.
As for the characters themselves, they’re all really great. Most of them are mildly entertaining, while others have this vulnerability and tragedy to their characters, with Mirabel being the best example of it. She wants so badly to have this one thing. This one understandable, even relatable, desire that Mirabel so desperately goes about to obtain. And when she got it, I genuinely cried tears of joy. That’s right, Encanto is the first and only movie not to make me cry because I was sad, but because I was happy. And that’s because I felt such a connection to these characters that seeing them get what they want makes me so happy that I cry. That is powerful.
And that’s not even mentioning the great themes of generational trauma, the consequences of being considered gifted, and how you yourself are a miracle, a gift, and…GOSH DANGIT, watch this movie!
Study this movie!
Love this movie, because it really is something special. If I had to complain about anything, it’d be that I wish we had more time to spend with the rest of the family. But if the biggest problem with Encanto is that I want more of it, that’s hardly an issue. I love every aspect of it, and it’s easily Disney’s best film…Film, to be precise.
#1. Fantasia-You see, Fantasia isn’t a movie. It’s a work of art.
Do you want to know what my favorite thing to do on YouTube is? Look up fan-made animatics to songs and see what these many artists can come up with. That's basically Fantasia. Seeing artists listen to songs and offer the perfect visuals that go perfectly with them. And the results are glorious, with only one or two sections going on just a little too long. In the end, it still all comes down to a fantastic movie that shows why Disney is at the top of the animation industry. They do more than make wonderful movies and characters. They make art. Art that can be appreciated at any age, whether you're a child or an adult. There are slip-ups, here and there, don't get me wrong. But when the right people are behind the right film, you'll get what is undoubtedly a masterpiece.
And that’s why it’s so easy to hate Disney as a company. They focus more on making a successful business and less on making art. Why change the game when you can buy the things people love? That’s certainly the mindset nowadays, and it really is damaging the entertainment industry as a whole. But, every now and again, you’ll have someone who fought with every fiber of their being to make a movie that fits with the Disney that they remember. The studio where the goal was to break boundaries on animation and make something everyone can love. Not just a movie people can put on because there’s nothing better to watch. Hopefully, we’ll get more art that proves Disney hasn’t completely lost its magic just yet.
#walt disney animated pictures studios#worst to best disney#moana#aladdin#disney's mulan#tangeled#wreck it ralph#lilo and stitch#the lion king#frozen#encanto#fantasia
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So you have one for 1 or many? Also, 20.
1 - chipotle order? I do indeed have one single Chipotle order: burrito bowl, white rice, pinto beans, no meat, queso, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce. (I love that you asked this btw 💕)
20 - favorite disney princess movie? This is kind of legit hard, because my childhood was basically just shooting all the Disney animated movies straight into my veins over and over and over again. So all of them. But, when I was a small child, it was probably Little Mermaid. Now, I'd probably say Mulan.
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Doc, you like Doctor Who? I love Doctor Who! Who’s your favourite Doctor? My favourite is the Twelfth Doctor and the Fifth Doctor, but every Doctor is Valid 🥰
Are you going to post any more cut out art later? Have you ever done a Baby Yoda cut out?
What’s your favourite Disney film? Or Pixar? My favourite Disney film is Sleeping Beauty and my favourite Pixar film is either Inside Out or Ratatouille.
Favourite live action Disney Film? Mine’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Favourite Disney Princess? Mine’s Mulan.
How about Marvel? My favourite is either Thor Ragnarok or Black Panther.
What about your favourite DC film? Mine’s Shazam.
Who’s your favourite superhero? As always, I love Cable, but today I’m also feeling Captain America, Spider-Man (Peter) and Wonder Woman as my faves.
Do you have a favourite Muppet? I love either Rowlf the Dog, Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, Big Bird, Elmo or Cookie Monster.
Have you ever been to Disneyland? If so, what’s your favourite ride? Mine’s Jungle Cruise or Space Mountain.
Do you watch adult animation? If so, what’s your favourite? Mine’s Bob’s Burgers.
What’s your favourite anime? Mine’s My Hero Academia and Dragonball.
Lastly, Pepsi or Coke?
I hope these questions served as a good distraction 😊
my, that is a lot of questions... and indeed a very welcome source of distraction. Let’s see:
Oh yes, Doctor Who is fantastic. That was my Sunday night every week when I was a kid. Tune into PBS and watch Tom Baker. As such Baker is my favorite Doctor. Although I just loved David Tennat’s turn as the Doctor. He’s probably my fav of the contemporary Doctors. Also a fan of Jodie Whittaker.
I have dozens of cut-outs scheduled up in the queue. Mostly the product of being stuck inside throughout the quarantine. I haven’t done a lot of Mando cut-outs for some reason... but did make a quick Baby Yoda just as a doodle.
My favorite live action Disney Film is probably Condor Man. Although I’m also quite fond of The cat from Outer Space.
Favorite animated Disney Film is Peter Pan and favorite Pixar is Up! (with Big Hero Six a close second place).
Favorite Marvel movie Captain America 2: The Winter Solider; and Favorite DC Movie is Wonder Woman... unless we’re including eh previous DC Movies in which case it might be The Dark Knight.
When it comes to the Muppets I’m more a Sesame Street fan, and my favorite is Grover by a country mile.
Sadly I’ve never been to Disneyland or World... lol, woe is me
I haven’t seen a ton of adult animation, but the episodes of Bob’s Burger I did see were quite good. Bojack Horseman felt too much like work, but that show is good too. I guess my favorite is Futurama.
Picking a favorite anime is a tough one. Feature film anime is probably Howl’s Moving Castle; favorite short form anime is the original FLCL (Fooly Cooly) and favorite long-form anime is definitely Naruto.
I’m not sure I have an opinion on Pepsi versus Coke. They sell the non-corn syrup version of coke at the bodega near my house. Those are pretty good.
by the way, based on your own selection of favorites, you clearly have excellent taste. My compliments. And thanks for the pleasantly distracting ask :)
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Loyal, Brave & True
Based heavily on the song “Loyal Brave True” from the new Disney Live-Action Movie Mulan
This work is also posted to https://archiveofourown.org/works/26332522
Summary: When all is said and done, we all have the same question: am I enough?
It’s even harder when half of your life is behind a spotted mask
Disclaimer: All characters of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Chat Noir belong to Thomas Astruc and Jeremy Zag
🎵Who am I without my armor?
Standing in my father’s shoes
All I know is that it’s harder
To be loyal, brave, and true🎵
Loyal Brave True - Christina Aguilera
Marinette trudged up the stairs, the weight of the day heavy on her shoulders. She still couldn’t get over the fact that she had been expelled from school and reinstated all within the span of less than two days.
Standing in front of her full length mirror, she took in whom she perceived to be the slightly broken person that stood reflected before her. Her pallid complexion and the dark circles under her eyes revealing the heavy exhaustion pulling at her bones.
She was tired of keeping up the pretenses, of hiding behind her spotted armor, of the endless sleepless nights of being too stressed out by schoolwork and Lila’s threats and finding ways to stop Hawkmoth.
Of pretending that she was okay when she really wasn’t.
It just seemed like everyone believed every one of Lila’s lies! How could they believe that she threw that lying bitch down those stairs? That sneaky fox didn’t even try to pretend that she had hurt herself from her fall.
Where was the security footage? Why didn’t anyone insist on taking that Italian vixen to the nurse to get her checked over? Anyone with eyes could see that she was faking her injuries!
Looking past herself in the mirror, Marinette saw the pictures that she had tacked to the wall. Images of her with her parents, with the Girl Squad. With Alya and Nino.
With Adrien.
Feeling betrayed by those whom she thought had her back, she turned to her Kwami with tears in her eyes, desperate for validation. “Tikki?”
“Yes, Marinette?” The little red being asked from her spot on the desk, chocolate chip cookie in hand.
“Am I a good Ladybug?” The designer asked in a small voice.
“Oh, Marinette,” Tikki sighed, setting the cookie down. “Of course you’re a good Ladybug! You are one of my best wielders.”
“But am I, really? I mean, underneath the suit, without the spots... am I truly a good Ladybug?" Marinette asked pensively.
‘Oh,’ the Kwami thought, ‘this is one of those questions. She’s doubting herself again.’
"Marinette," she began, "how many times must I tell you this? There is no Ladybug without you." Tikki flew over to rest on her Chosen's shoulder. "There have been and there will be other holders of the Ladybug Miraculous," she continued in a contemplative voice, "but you are the only one who could be Ladybug. With and without the mask."
Suddenly a thump was heard on the balcony, and with a quick look conveying a mutual understanding that this conversation wasn’t finished, Tikki flew fast to hide in a desk drawer. Soon after, there was a knock heard on her skylight.
“Hello, Purrincess!” The cat themed hero greeted her as she let him in. “I wanted to check up on my favorite civilian. I heard that there was some excitement at your school recently?”
That show of kindness was the straw that broke the camel's back. The dam holding in her tears broke and Marinette collapsed, sobbing. With a startled “Whoa,” Chat Noir quickly caught her before she hit the ground, holding her tightly against him while trying to calm the crying girl in his arms.
When her sobs became hiccups, and her hiccups turned to sniffles, he was finally able to ask, “Princess, what happened?” with concern lacing his voice.
“It… it was awful Ch-chat N-noir. I... I was almost ak-kumatized yesterday,” she choked out.
“What?!” Chat exclaimed quietly, still holding the shaking girl in his embrace. Scooping her up carefully in a bridal hold, he settled them down comfortably on her chaise with her curled up tightly against him, her head tucked under his chin, similar to how his own mother would cradle him as a crying child. "Princess… Marinette, can you walk me through this? Please? I want to understand what happened.”
She slowly confided to him her worries. Well, almost all of them. The cat-themed hero growled low as he learned of the fake fox's promised threats, furious that Lila had the audacity to harm his cherished friend.
High-road be damned, no one hurts his Princess!
“And what really... made it worse… was that... everyone was writing my concerns off as … as jealousy,” Marinette choked out as her crying started back up. “I am NOT jealous of that … that … lying fox!”
Taking a deep breath to quell his rage, lest he become an Akuma himself, Chat gave
the dark-haired beauty in his arms a gentle squeeze to comfort her. "Losing is easy, winning takes bravery, and the kindest of whispers can seem cruel from those whom we consider our friends," he told her in a soft voice, kissing the top of her head to comfort her. Pulling back just a bit so that he could wipe away her tears with the back of his knuckles, careful not to scratch her with his claws, he stated, "You are one of the sweetest, kindest, and bravest people that I've ever known, Marinette."
"I don't feel very brave," she responded quietly with a pout, before burying her tear-stained face into his chest.
"But you are! You are so brave!" he cooed at her, gingerly running a clawed hand up and down her spine in an attempt to soothe. "Braver than I am, and I'm betting that you're even more brave than Ladybug."
That line earned him a snort.
Encouraged by that sound, Chat grinned as he continued to extoll her virtues. "I also have on very good authority that you are a very loyal and true friend. That is an extremely rare quality to have," he said as he gently pushed back her bangs, placing a feather-light kiss to her forehead.
Marinette shifted slightly in his hold, peeking up at him through her long, inky eyelashes. "Do you really think so?" she asked bashfully, a pink tinge highlighting the freckles that were scattered like stars across the bridge of her nose.
"I know so," he confirmed with a wry grin. "Didn't that Agreste kid call you an ‘Everyday Ladybug’ once?" he asked, his grin morphing into a smirk. "Trust me, there is no higher praise than that that I could think of."
'She really is adorable,' the errant thought swam across his stream of conscience.
His mind screeched to a halt.
‘Wait... what?’
After thinking it over for a moment, he came to the conclusion of ‘Well, it's true.’
The look of awe she gave him made him catch his breath. Her blue eyes seemed to grow larger, the color appearing to nearly glow. Her parted lips looked so soft too...
'Get a grip, Agreste!’ He admonished himself. ‘She’s your friend, and she’s hurting right now!'
He re-positioned her within his embrace, turning her until her back was against his chest, her head nestled against his left shoulder. He spied a black permanent marker within his reach and grabbed it, uncapping it with his teeth. Spitting out the cap, he reached for her right hand, softly asking, "May I?"
"What are you doing?" Marinette asked, placing it in his hand with trust in her gaze. Chat marveled at her bluebell stare for only a moment before returning his attention to the task at hand.
Nestling her delicate wrist within his large clawed hands like a treasured prize, he placed a soft kiss to the back of her knuckles, smiling fondly. "I just want to leave you a little reminder," he said as he turned the appendage, placing the marker's tip to the delicate skin of the inside of said wrist.
She struggled not to move, though she did flinch slightly at the cool feeling of the writing instrument’s ink against her skin. Her face burned slightly at the tenderness he was showing her, but that wasn’t what drew her attention.
It was the look on his face.
With his masked face twisted in concentration, the cat themed hero produced neat, careful hanzi on the designer's porcelain skin.
"There," he said with triumph and pride in his voice, drawing her attention to what he had been doing to begin with.
There, now decorating the once unmarked skin, were three simple but intricate Chinese characters
忠
勇
真
They were beautiful. And her silly, sweet, kind, destructive partner had put them there.
Chat Noir was indeed proud. It was his best try at the complicated writing system to date, so it only seemed fitting that it would look perfect against his friend’s gorgeous skin. "Now, whenever you feel down about everything you just told me about, I want you to look down at your wrist. For you are Loyal," he points at the first character, pausing for a moment before moving on to the next one. "Brave," he continued until he moved his clawed finger to the last of the three characters, "and True."
Tearing her gaze from the beautiful words now adorning her wrist, Marinette found herself drowning in gratitude and fondness for her partner. Turning her head slightly, she locked his peridot gaze with her azure, whispering, "Thank you, Chat Noir."
Feline eyes softened, and finding that his heart was beating just a tad harder for his dark haired friend, the boy beneath the mask replied just as quietly, "You're welcome, Marinette."
When it was time for him to leave, she followed him up to her balcony, bidding him goodnight. They shared one last hug before he leapt off of the balcony rail, performing some feat of aerial acrobatics to make her smile. Laughing at her partner’s antics, she leaned against the railing, taking in the balmy night air. Inhaling with the smile still on her face, she let her heart fill with gratitude once more to her partner. Letting out a long exhale, she found that her attention was once more drawn to the foreign words written along the inside of her wrist. She’d have to find a way to cover them up for tomorrow, but that was a problem for Future Marinette to worry about.
At this time, Tikki floated up out of hiding, making herself known to her holder before setting herself onto Marinette's shoulder. The Kwami took notice of the words now written on her chosen's appendage. "Well, that was a very nice thing that Chat Noir did for you, Marinette," she said approvingly.
"Yeah," Marinette replied, still staring down at the writing with a soft smile on her face. "It really... was..." she trailed off, the smile slowly slipping off of her face as she stared at her wrist more intently. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach as the actions of her partner finally registered. "Tikki?" she asked, her voice a little higher in pitch than normal.
"Yes, Marinette?" the kwami answered, confusion coloring her voice as she floated in front of her wielder’s face to gage her expression. She was surprised to see the beginnings of panic etching themselves onto the designer’s countenance. “Marinette, what’s wrong?” Tikki asked, worry coloring her tiny features.
On the verge of hyperventilating, Marinette looked up to her with eyes wide and asked, "Why did Chat Noir write those words on my wrist in Chinese?!"
Love reading/writing fanfics and enjoy making/looking at fanart? Come join https://discord.gg/mlfanworks The Miraculous Fanworks Discord Server and meet our amazing community! Hope to see you all soon!
#Val tries to write#write val write#my miraculous ladybug fanfiction#miraculous ladybug#marichat#tikki is so done#marinette dupain-cheng#Chat Noir#Supportive Chat Noir#loyal brave true
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Hey! 59 and 70 for elriel if that strikes your fancy 💞
59. “Is this okay?” and 70.“After everything we’ve been through, you still don’t think that I love you?” For Elriel, here we go! I’m sorry it took so long 💓 I feel like I was in a writing and reading slump since May 😀 Hope you enjoy it 💓
"You really didn’t have to do this, Az,” Elain said as Azriel took her hand in his, guiding her through the wide pink gate to the magic of Disneyland.
“I wanted to. Now I can be here without it seeming like it was my idea.” He looked at her, giving her one of his devilish grins, “Don’t tell Rhys and Cass, but I always wanted to come here, and you gave me the reason to.”
Elain smiled back shaking her head. Azriel was her best friend since high school; he was always there for her. He was there for her after she and Graysen broke up. Elain decided that she wanted to celebrate her next birthday with Graysen in Disneyland because she’d never been in one before. After the two broke up, Elain forgot about her plans, but Azriel remembered because he dragged her here himself. And she knew that he was doing it for her and her alone because when she first mentioned it a year ago, he wasn’t interested at all.
“Thank you.” Elain murmured still smiling. Azriel kissed her hair, pulling her closer to his side as he looked around, “We’re going to eat everything you want.”
“Really? Even candy?” Elain squeaked. A word sugar was simply not in Azriels dictionary. It’s been a long time since Elain saw Azriel holding a chocolate bar, “There are no benefits from sugar for your body.” he once told her, yet he never said a word about her obsession with sugar.
Now he nodded his head “Yeah even candy.” he didn’t exactly look pleased with the idea, but Elains grin widened.
The lines to the rides were enormous. After waiting for an hour and a half for a roller coaster, they decided that one ride was enough and they’ll stick with food and treats. Azriel was one of the most patient people she knew, and Elain believed that he could stand in the line for a whole day if need be. Elain, on the other hand, had no patients in that matter.
They found a burger place, waiting for their orders as Az said, “That prince over there can’t stop looking at you.” He tried to sound amused, but Elain could have sworn she saw a flicker of annoyance on his face.
She looked behind her where Azriels was staring. Indeed a guy whit a prince costume was looking at her, was he from Cinderella? Elain wasn’t sure. He blushed, but Elain turned back to Azriel.
“No thanks, I’m more of Li Shang kind of girl.”
Azriel looked confused, “Whos that?” Elain nodded in thanks for the waitress that sat their food on the table. “Are you kidding me? Mulan. One of the greatest Disney movie of all time.” Azriel smiled, shaking his head, “That’s what you say about all of them.”
“We have to watch it next. You’ll love it. If not at least you’ll be able to comment on their training routines.” Azriel looked at her “It doesn’t matter because it’s my turn to pick a movie, remember?”
“Fine, when it’s my turn we’re watching Mulan,” Elain said, taking a bite of her burger.
After a few moments of eating Elain added, “You have to admit that carbs are everything.” Azriel was halfway finished with his meal, still chewing he nodded. “What would your brothers say if they knew that you are eating a burger right now?” Elain mused.
“Cassian wouldn’t shut up, although Nesta told me about the time when he got her a box of chocolates and ate it all himself.”
“I don’t get it; you three already are in perfect shape, why can’t you just relax and eat everything you want?” It was true, as detectives Azriel, Rhys and Cassian had to be in perfect shape. But they already were, and Elain couldn’t think of bodies more perfect than those three. Azriel in particular.
“It’s not how it works; you have to maintain-” Elain cut him off, “I know, I know hard work and all. I should probably listen to you and start a healthy diet or something.”
Azriel shook his head, “You don’t need any diets, El. You’re perfect.” Elain flushed and looked at her plate.
The day went by like that; they ate and took pictures with princesses and princes. Azriel didn’t want to, but Elain made him take a picture with few movie characters. She laughed every time at discomfort on Azriels face when she looked at the picture of him and Ursula.
When Elains feet started to hurt, Azriel said he would be right back. It was her birthday, after all, and she wanted to look presentable, so she wore heels. It was ridiculous really because they weren’t even heels by Nestas standards, yet Elain felt her feet burning and couldn’t take it anymore. Nesta would be disappointed if she knew.
Five minutes later, Azriel returned with a happy grin and a bag. “I saw them selling these before, thought you might like them.” He took what looked like absurd size slippers and handed it to her. “You want me to wear this?” Azriel shrugged, “You have a better idea?” Elain loved the gesture but going around in clown size slippers didn’t feel appropriate until- until she put them on.
“These are so soft,” she almost moaned; on the other hand, who cares what people think.
She stood up and kissed Azriel on the cheek, “Thanks, Az, you’re a life saver.” He waved his hand as if to say ‘its nothing.’
“Where should we go now?” he asked, but he sounded unsettled.
They went to musical carousel the line there was the shortest. They sat in different chairs, but she could still touch Az if she reached for him. And she did, he took her hand in his, and the ride started. It played some of Elain favorite Disney songs. She hummed some of them and felt Azriel watching her.
Elain held his hand the whole time but did not glance back; it felt strangely intimate. Looking into Azriels eyes always did things to her, and the crush she had on him since the seventh-grade did not help. After she broke up with Grayson, Elain had to remind herself that she and Azriel were best friends. Only best friends, and nothing more. But she also had to admit that it was harder and harder to keep her feeling for herself.
And when Azriel was looking at her like that-
She couldn’t help it as she glanced at him meeting his stare.
It felt as the whole place went quiet, and there was only Azriel. She tried to smile, but he didn’t return the gesture. Azriel just looked at her in wonder, grip on her hand tightening. She couldn’t feel anything else but his hand holding hers, as Elain looked away first.
When the ride stopped, Elains heart was still beating frantically. Azriel was out in a second helping her, and when she reached the floor, her hand was in his again. They moved away from the noise around them, getting closer to the shore nearby.
Neither of them spoke. With a fear, Elain realized that tonight might be the perfect time to confess her feelings, but if that would ruin their friendship, would it be worth it? She honestly felt lost in her thoughts and didn’t even notice as they came to a stop.
The sunset painted the sky shades of orange, red, and yellow. Elain looked at the sky, at the water, anywhere but his face.
She felt Azriel lifting his other hand as he brought it to her face, and gently stroked a strand of hair from her eyes.
“You look so beautiful today,” he murmured.
Elain looked at him, and his gaze captured her completely. “I wanted to say that from the moment I saw you this morning.”
She closed her eyes as his thumb stroked her cheek “Why didn’t you?”
His other hand still holding hers lifted her palm, and he placed a tender kiss there, “I didn’t know if you wanted to hear it from me.”
Hoping- praying that she didn’t misread him, Elain slowly, so slowly lifted herself on her toes and brought her lips to his. It was barely a kiss, and she ached for more, but Elain had to make sure that she didn’t mess up.
“Is this okay?” she whispered.
Azriel let out a laugh of relief “After everything we’ve been through, you still don’t think that I love you?”
It was enough for Elain to capture his lips fully. He answered right back, gathering her in his arms. Somewhere in another world, Elain heard the music and fireworks.
Elriel tag list❤️: @illyriangarbage // @illyrian-bookworm // @nowheregirldk// @maastrash // @writer-reader-traveller // @ifangirlninja // @my-ships-will-never-be-sank // @alitzeldiaz // @liquifyme // @sydney-marlis // @whydoineedtowriteanamehere // @wolffrising // @ysitsohardtofindaname // @avenrebekah // @aurliel // @mae1919 // @hellas-himself // @feysand-rowaelin-worshiper /// @queen-of-wings-and-fire // @nightcourtstarlight // @abillionlittlepieces // @to-the-stars-who-wish // @welcometothespeaknowworldtour // @secret-lil-rendez-vous // @abimomeopectore // @dreamerforever-5 // @sleeping-and-books // @ttakeitbacknoww // @illyrianbats // @maficorral // @rhysanoodle // @court-of-fuck-me-daddy // @flowerspringsea // @sezkins79
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Top 5: Movies with Swords
A Top 5 filled with adventure and swashbuckling - this list considers Movies with Swords. A few qualifications, the swords must be made of metal (thus disqualifying laser swords from a certain space opera fantasy) and must be central to the plot. Just because a movie has a scene with a sword fight doesn’t earn its place on the list; rather, the sword must be integral to the story, advance the plot, or play a role in the main character’s journey. Come with me to fantastical times and consider the best films that feature swords.
Gibelwho Productions Presents Movies with Swords:
5. The Mask of Zorro
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
3. The Princess Bride
2. Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Hero
The Mask of Zorro (1998): During the first training session with his adopted protege, the original Zorro, played by Anthony Hopkins, asks a scruffy Antonio Banderas who is holding a sword - “Do you know how to use that thing?” Banderas, who is hoping to become the new Zorro, responds “The pointy end goes into the other man.” Hopkins takes a moment to internalize how far Banderas is from the swashbuckling hero with the famed prowess for fencing; indeed, the young Banderas’ showy swinging of the sword is easily lobbed away by one swift stroke of Hopkins steady and controlled blade. Luckily a few training sequences transforms Banderas into a Zorro reborn, and when Banderas emerges in the full Zorro regalia, fighting his enemies with the true form of a warrior, we are ready to exult in his fencing skills. While the fight between Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones doesn't hold up through today’s lens of gender dynamics, the overall comedy, drama, and athleticism of the action scenes all featuring sword choreography is pure fun to watch.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): The film’s hero Will Turner is an aspiring blacksmith with a talent for making exceptionally crafted swords and the knowledge of how to use them. The opening action sequence features Orlando Bloom’s Turner and Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow sparring in the blacksmith’s workspace - a converted barn with streaks of light illuminating the open space. The sequence opens with Sparrow threatening Turner with his trusty sword, only to have the aspiring blacksmith grab one of his completed swords to parry back. They cross blades, the music matching punctuating beats with sword clashes, and Sparrow begins to analyze the form and footwork of his opponent; Turner then displays his true abilities by throwing his sword accurately and with enough strength to lock the poor Captain inside the barn. The rest of the fight features clever stunts and humorous blocking, with each party grabbing from the voluminous store of swords to spar back and forth. The fight culminates when Captain Jack Sparrow pulls out a pistol to match Turner’s sword, leading to the blacksmith’s protest of “you cheated!” to which Sparrow reminds him - “Pirate.”
The Princess Bride (1987): Not including this classic on the list?! Inconceivable! Although this film benefits from a dose of nostalgia, it truly has one of the best sword fight scenes in the history of cinema, the sparring between Mandy Patinkin and Cary Elwes. There is no villain in the scene and the viewer’s loyalties are divided between both parties; to the untrained eye, the actors are doing great work, good form and footwork, and the banter between the two men brings a levity to the fight. Elwes, with his calm and confident form, matches Patinkin’s boyish flair; and they fight with both hands, starting off left-handed and then swapping to their right - just fun and delightful! Elwes’ final sword fight is won via a battle of words, followed by a threatening pose with his sword drawn, just enough strength left before he collapses after the villain has been restrained. Patinkin, however, does finally get his revenge with the fight that made the phrase famous - “Hello. My name is Inego Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003): In college I went to a double screening of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 - shown as Quentin Tarantino intended in one installment. My inclination at the time was a preference for the second film; the first volume focused more on the action and fighting set pieces and less on the narrative, while the second gave more insight into the Bride’s character and motivations. For this list, however, the first film fits the...bill. The Bride travels to Japan to convince a retired master swordsmith to forge one more weapon so she can extract her revenge on Bill and Tarantino spends an entire scene where the master lovingly presents his work of deadly art to the Bride. She then takes his masterpiece to fight an elite group of fighters known as the Crazy 88 in an outrageous and fantastic fight scene. Uma Thurman, clad in her famous yellow tracksuit, methodically takes out various groups of fighters and Tarantino employs different cinematic techniques to highlight the different groups, including in black and white, as silhouette against a blue background, wire work fighting on a bannister, and an epic final battle in the snow. In each segment, Tarantino focuses on the sword as a beloved weapon, having his fighters pose menacingly with swords drawn, closeups framing their face next to a raised hilt. While it would actually be impossible for one woman with a single blade to defeat the overwhelming numbers of the clan, Tarantino puts in enough quick cuts, whip and clang sound effects, wildly spurting blood makeup, and shots of Uma swinging her sword dramatically to give the scene thrills. Tarantino’s reverence for the Japanese sword and Uma’s convincing pose while wielding her Hattori Hanzo ranks this flick so high on the list.
Hero (2002): This tale, fashioned in the style of Rashomon, is framed around an assassin who has infiltrated the king’s palace with intent to kill, but who has a conversation with the man first, almost as a form of psychological warfare. The stories they tell are used as set pieces for the sword fighting that is highlighted in the film and each scene is a creative masterpiece in filmmaking - combining choreography, set design, costumes, editing, and color pallet to achieve striking sequences. There are too many incredible segments to highlight here, (each scene deserves individual analysis), but let us choose just one to discuss. In a flashback sequence, two assassins are shown fighting their way into the guarded palace, their intensity just plowing down the opposing army, swinging their swords with swift and relentless fury; they are clad in green robes that are in stark contrast to the black and white uniforms of the mass guards they are pushing through. When one assassin reaches the interior palace, bedecked with flowing green decorative fabric, and faces the king himself in combat, the intricate choreography begins. Each set piece is unique, but all employ the use of wire work, enabling the actors to soar, spin, and strike while in motion through the air, almost like a deadly dance. The flowing robes also add a lyrical quality to the fighting, yet there is a relentless ferocity that shows the actor’s skill in actual combat, proven by the use of long takes that pause long enough for the view to actually absorb the intense moves. As much as there are dreamlike sequences with fantastical movements, there are also really intentional clashes of blades that convey the weight and intensity of the combatants. In the end, the calligraphy of the character for the word ‘sword’ sparks the king’s final poetic speech that appeals to the assassins true understanding of an ideal warrior - which is the desire to not kill. The assassin makes his final choice and, with a shot of his sword clanging to the floor, paves the way for a united China.
Honorable Mentions:
Hook (1991): An extension of the Peter Pan story, this film tells the tale of a Peter who has grown up and forgotten his past self, who must re-discover his inner child and save his own kids from the nefarious Captain Hook. When a reluctant Peter has returned to Neverland and incites an imaginary food fight, he finally reclaims the mantle of Peter Pan when one of the Lost Boys presents him his old sword - lifting it up into the air in triumph cements his transformation back to his true self. He then takes that sword and rallies the Lost Boys to fight the pirates and rescue his children, going sword to hook with the Captain himself.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993): Another Mel Brooks classic starring Cary Elwes, this time as Robin Hood in a parody of the gang in Sherwood Forest. The ultimate fight between the Sheriff of Rottingham and Robin of Loxley is high in a tower in front of the locked up (in more ways than one) Maid Marian - and the fight is a microcosm of this roaring flick - the Sheriff is outrageously evil, Robin engages in cool banter delivered with witty charm, and Marion is over the top with her nasally simpering. Another highlight of the fight is Robin’s blind companion Blinkin having a daring sword fight with a statue. Also, Patrick Stewart makes an appearance at the end as King John, with the full knight regalia that includes an awesome broad sword that he uses to bestow the Knighthood upon Robin of Loxley!
Mulan (1998): The Disney telling of the Chinese tale of a woman taking the place of her father in the army to fight the Huns was always a favorite of mine. As a child of the Nineties, it reinforced the girl power message, had awesome music, and great action. The sword plays a pivotal role at the beginning of the movie, symbolizing Mulan’s decision to abandon her traditional role in the family, save her father, and begin her journey to discover her true self. In the middle of a stormy night, Mulan draws her father’s sword, a determined face reflected in the steel, and cuts cleanly through her long hair to begin her transformation. It is a powerful moment of sacrifice for her family, as well as slicing off her old identity, one that didn’t quite fit her perfectly, and she leaves in the night to protect her family and China.
The Three Musketeers (1993): Another Disney film on the list, this time a live action adaptation of Alexander Dumas’ famous novel, one that prioritizes campy dialogue, fun action sequences, and power ballads over substance. But dang, when all four (spoiler alert) of those Musketeers are facing a collection of opponents, with their fancy blue cloaks and drawing their swords in unison, it’s just so fun! The swords here are some of most beautifully designed, with elaborate silver hilts that come with the prestige of the position being in the king’s guard. There is plenty of fencing in the film, among the musketeers themselves, between the evil cardinal’s guard, and the villainous Rochefort - and the climax of the film finds just the valiant three Musketeers facing a cadre of red clocked villains, when their fellow Musketeers, who had been disbanded by the evil cardinal, reveal themselves to stand aside them in battle. When in victory, the men hold their swords high, crossed together to show their unity (while the power ballad soars) - All for One and One for All!
Upcoming
Mulan (2020): Disney has been getting around to re-making all of their animated classics, with Mulan next up on the list. This re-make, however, is not solely based on the film from the late Nineties, although one can hear melodies from the score in the new film’s trailer, but the filmmakers have gone back to the original epic poem that inspired the animated tale. While that means an excise of Mushu (most likely for the better), it may also mean more of a focus on Fa Mulan’s journey and her fighting prowess. In the trailer, the Huns are seen galloping toward a town, doublefisting a sword and a curved scythe in their hands, overwhelmingly a dangerous threat. To face the enemy, China puts forth a call for warriors from each family, but Mulan’s family has only daughters to offer; their father takes up his sword, but knows he is incapable of carrying out his duty. Late at night, Mulan takes down the same sword, emblazoned with the characters for loyal, brave and true, and shows some skill with the blade as she makes her choice. It seems that in both the animated film and this live action re-telling, the sword plays a crucial role in Mulan’s decision to fight for her family in her father’s place. The trailer does show some glimpses of action sequences, with the sword as Mulan’s weapon of choice. Although with the release date now delayed by the spreading coronavirus, I am excited to see this film’s modern portrayal of Mulan taking up her true power and identify, with her steel by her side.
#the mask of zorro#pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl#the princess bride#kill bill: vol. 1#hero
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Tagged by @qserasera!
RULES: name 10 favorite female characters from 10 different fandoms and then tag 10 people if you’d like to pick this up feel free!
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1) Ryougi Shiki from Kara no Kyoukai/The Garden of Sinners (she’s always the first to come to my mind)
2) Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables series (from the moment she smashed her slate over Gilbert’s head when he made fun of her hair).
3) Ahiru from Princess Tutu (my favouritest magical... duck girl)
4) Violet Evergarden from Violet Evergarden (but mainly the light novel version. She is 200% more awesome and developed in the light novel versus the anime)
5) Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice ( "Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony. Which is why I will end up an old maid." Lizzie is a mood since page 1!!!)
6) Kino from Kino no Tabi/Kino’s Travel (Yes, sorry if this is a spoiler... Kino is indeed a girl)
7) Mara Jade from the Star Wars Expanded Universe/Legends (or whatever we’re calling them now)
8) Sophie Hatter from Howl’s Moving Castle (both the book and anime movie versions! I do love Ghibli!Sophie’s starlight hair though)
9) Mulan from Disney’s Mulan (I like a lot of the different depictions of Mulan in various mediums, but the 1998 movie was the formative one for me since I was a kid back then).
10) Kinomoto Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura (I love CLAMP’s angst boys a lot, but Sakura is always bright and positive and I love her for it)
#thanks as always for tagging me melly <3#this was harder than i expected because i like a lot of ladies but like#they're not my absolute fav because a lot of creators tend to prioritize male characters?#so a lot of my favs are the main protagonists of their franchise#and i like ladies from books more than movies/anime/tv series it seems#memes#*
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Dear Americans,
Please stop thinking you’re being clever when you mash up Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Snow White and Rose Red. You’re not. It’s annoying, actually. In the “didn’t even make an hour’s worth of research for your project” kind of way. In the “fuck the source material I’m adapting lol” kind of way.
Sincerely, a German
--
Seriously, I need Disney to just stop making their shitty, dumb live-action remakes, but I don’t that the news of any of them has made me as fundamentally exausted as this one - Lion King? Super unnecessary, but I just roll my eyes and will ignore its existence. Mulan? Making me actively angry about them erasing Shang. And sure, in retrospect Maleficent makes me the most viciously angry, but this is just... exhausting.
They’re making a live-action remake of Snow White. It will be called Rose Red.
They’re going to pull a Frozen on Snow White. Where Snow “has a sister” who is going to help break the curse. Snow. White. Does. Not. Have. A. Sister.
Americans love doing that. They think they’re being “clever” with that “pun”.
These are two separate fairy tales. They are two separate characters.
And no, your stupid little trick because “they have the same name” doesn’t work either, if you’d give even half a shit about the fact that your dubbed names are not actually the characters’ names. Snow White =/= Snow White.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Schneewittchen.
Snow White and Rose Red? Schneeweißchen.
It’s just that the limits of the English language doesn’t allow you an accurate translation to either of those names, so you vagued the shit outta them both to the point that they are identical. But that doesn’t make it so; if I decide to change names in the dubbed version of something and give two characters the same dubbed name doesn’t mean they suddenly become the same character.
Schneewittchen; a born royal, only daughter of a king and a queen, lives in a castle, being raised by her evil stepmother until she runs away and lives with seven (good) dwarves, gets poisoned until a prince comes along to break the curse and marry her, kills her stepmother in a rather cruel way during the wedding
Schneeweißchen: a peasant, has a sister (Rosenrot/Rose Red), lives in a cottage in the woods, being raised by her grandmother, gives shelter to a talking bear, semi-accidentally kills an (evil) dwarf with her sister which breaks the curse on the bear and turns him into a prince, marries the prince and thus becomes a princess
Their entire set-up couldn’t be any more different.
One’s a born princess, the other becomes a princess after marriage. The opposite approaches to being a Disney Princess. One is the passive character who needs to be saved, the other is an active hero who saves the prince in distress.
Interchanging them is like deciding that Belle and Aurora are the exact same character because Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast - basically, you could have dubbed both to be named Belle here, only that their entire stories clash so much that you can’t pretend they’re the same person.
Schneeweißchen is such a great character, her story is one of my absolute favorite fairy tales and I am just so very, very tired of Americans being completely unable to adapt it because as soon as they read “Snow White”, they only think about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Never have I seen the fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red be actually used. Usually, they just include the two characters. Like. They looked at the fairy tale title and decided that Schneewittchen now had a red-themed sister and that’s that, no need to actually read the damn story and use any of it.
And that’s pissing me off. Disney taking liberties with their adaptations is absolutely by far not anything new. But with this one you can practically smell that they think they’re being clever by “inverting the tropes” and making it sisterly love that breaks the curse... again. Listen, that actually was clever in Frozen, that’s the one thing I’ll give that movie. But it was already lame and just a rip-off of yourself when you did it again in Maleficent with the “it’s not the prince!”.
If you don’t want to tell a love story, then don’t pick stories that heavily center around a love story. There are fairy tales and other stories that entirely skip on the romance! You don’t have to twist and bend fairy tales that very explicitly focus on the love-story!
And Snow White and Rose Red is a very beautiful fairy tale that indeed does focus on a great sibling dynamic as it is! You could literally just cut the part where she marries the bear out, if you don’t want romance at all.
But to, instead of adapting this fairy tale, take the one that depends on True Love’s Kiss and a romance and bend it over backwards is... bullshit.
#snow white and rose red#Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)#snow white#disney#this is exhausting#and stupid#please just stop it
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BTS reacting to you being a hardcore Disney fan.
pairing: bts x reader fandom: bts warnings: / genre: fluff ; crack ; mentions of smut
a/n: truth be told, this might be one of my fav reactions I’ve written so far, simply bc I was able to use all my fav iconic lines hahaha. hope you like it ♥
ask box | masterlist | fandoms | faq | multifandom reader blog
kim seokjin
“What is this?” you looked at him with big eyes, almost hurt at what was on your plate, “I thought we were having McDonald's.”
“Jagi, I'm not letting you eat this stuff anymore, it's not healthy for you.”
You probably tried to look strong and tough when you got up, taking in a deep breath and puffing up, but Jin literally had to bite his tongue as to not to laugh. “Alright that's IT! DISHONOR! Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow..-”
“I don't have a cow, Jagi?”
Wow, honestly, just wow.
How could he not know where the line was from?
EVEN MORE DISHONOR.
min yoongi
You were having a Disney movie night, your favorite scene ever coming up as you were cuddled against Yoongi's side, his arm tightly wrapped around your body.
And in sync with Olaf you said: “Who's the funky looking donkey over there?”
Then you waited and a moment later you said: “Aha. And who's the reindeer?”
And even though he has heard you say these lines a million times, he still laughed every goddamn time. He told you he didn't care much about the movie, but he actually really liked the scene. And the fact that you could say these lines so perfectly only made it ten times funnier.
“Use that line on Tae and Yeontan once, okay?”
“I’m not THAT mean, Yoongi.”
jung hoseok
“Oh, oh, oh, it's coming up!”
“What is?” Hoseok laughed and watched you get up with excitement, before you ran out of his room.
He had no idea what was going on, but you came back with a fork.
That's when he understood what you wanted to do.
“No! (Y/N), no, don’t do it!”
But you already were doing it, just like Ariel was.
He thought he could keep a straight face, but he ended up laughing so hard, especially because the fork got stuck in your hair and you needed his help to get it out.
kim namjoon
This was the first time you were watching the Princess and the Frog together and he was surprised when you were able to recite the entire script.
But once it came to that.. certain part, he only watched you with raised eyebrows and wide eyes, when you continued saying: Big Daddy.
And when you were done and turned your head to look at him, you innocently asked: “What?”
“Big Daddy?”
“No, Namjoon, I won't call you big daddy, daddy is more than enough already.”
But he'd get you there.. eventually.
park jimin
You were always really awkward at family dinners with Jimin's family, mostly because you desperately tried to be funny.
And you know, sometimes that just didn't work.
So when his father asked you how work was going, the first thing that popped into your head was: “Weeell, it’s just fine. You know.. a little dark, a little gloomy and full of dead people. What're you gonna do,” you shrugged and laughed, really thinking they understood that reference.
But from the way his mother inhaled in shock and the way his father narrowed his eyes at you, you realized that neither of them did.
And Jimin just looked at you like: 'Really? A Hercules reference? Right now?'
Oh well, he knew what he signed up for when he started dating you.
kim taehyung
He was laughing alongside you as you were watching Mulan, loving how you knew the movie inside out.
And then you suddenly turned to him and looked at him seductively, which he had not suspected.
And in unison with Mushu you said: “For instance. My eyes can see straaaaaight through your armor,” and then you looked down to his sweatpants, knowing he wasn't wearing any underwear.
But unlike Mulan, who had slapped Mushu, Tae only grinned as seductively as you.
“Be careful, or I might turn it off if you keep this up.”
jeon jeongguk
“Kookie?” you pouted as you looked up at him, “How come we don't have a handshake yet?”
“What?”
“Well, you have one with Tae, but not with me.. I want one too.”
“Sure,” he sat up and waited for you to do the same, “Any ideas?”
“Indeed.”
And he shouldn't have been surprised when you did the Baymax handshake, because that was SO you.
And from now on, everywhere you went, you didn’t want kisses anymore, but you wanted him to do the ‘Badladladla’ with you.
#bts imagine#bts reactions#bts x reader#bts#bangtan#bangtan reaction#bangtan boys#kpop#kpop imagines#kpop reactions#bangtan sonyeondan#reader#bangtan x reader#bangtan boys x reader#requests
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Ralph Breaks the Internet...
...by trying to show too much product placement at once.
Hi,I’m back to ramble about Disney stuff again. I’ll try to keep this one on the shorter side, but no promises. Now, everybody who has ever followed me probably knows I love Disney animated films, and lots of other parts of the Disney empire. One of my favorite Disney films EVER was 2012′s Wreck-It Ralph. It was not only a magnificent nostalgia-laced love letter to gamers from the 80s such as myself, but it was also an amazing story with wonderful characters, powerful emotions, and some of the best damn world building ever, as well as the best use of product placement ever. Everything that needed to be there was there, and nothing more.
But holy WOW has that changed. Initially after the first film debuted in 2012, Disney announced a sequel and I felt it was unnecessary. Despite my love for the original, I think it’s perfect as is, and really needs no continuation. However, all that was said about it at the time was it would be about modern gaming - most notably online gaming - and Mario would make an appearance. Well, fast forward over 5 years and what’s revealed to us actually has little to nothing to do with video games, which is kind of odd since it’s the base of the film. It’s like if Toy Story 4 was suddenly about sports. Just seems really random.
Obviously, everybody’s already made the comparisons to the dumpster fire last year that was The Emoji Movie, and, yeah, it’s hard to deny the similarities. Ralph 2 does certainly have better jokes, but they still aren’t too great so far. Both films not only have a similar premise and look to their version of the internet, but both are just drenched in product placement. Google, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, eBay, Soundcloud, Instagram... they’re all constantly being rammed down your throat. The entire part where we see all the different online corporation logos there should just be a marquee at the bottom saying “these companies paid for this film”.
What’s also worrisome about the trailers is the massive lack of Felix, Calhoun, the Sugar Rush kids, and all the other memorable characters, original and licensed, from the first movie. Obviously, they’ll be in there in some way, but it is disappointing to see them absent from all footage thus far, leading me to believe they are pushed to the background this time around. It’s actually really hard for me to remember that this is indeed a Wreck-It Ralph movie. Just feels like a reel of internet and pop culture meta humor with Ralph and Vanellope randomly being our tour guides.
But the absolute worst part of the latest trailer (which had been rumored for a year now) was when the characters travel to the website “Oh My Disney”...
...wow. Again, I love Disney. I love Disney Animation Studios, I love the MCU, I love The Muppets, I love Star Wars, and I love Pixar, but... wow. This part, which is the bulk of the trailer, is actually really hard to watch and not cringe. It is the most shameless advertising of one’s properties I’ve ever seen. It’s literally just a massive advertisement for every brand they own. It looks like the entire movie’s going to just hit the breaks to just sell themselves out for 10-20 minutes. It’s legitimately uncomfortable to watch, and really drains respect for the studio, unfortunately. Not only that they’d stoop so low as to advertise all their properties so hard, but that they are probably sacrificing a sequel to an amazing movie just to use as an advertising platform.
Now, before my conclusion, I obviously NEED to talk about the Disney Princess scene.
This is basically all anybody cares about ever since it was announced, and despite the fact that I find that kinda sad for Ralph and his series, I totally understand it. Finally modernizing the entire Princess brand library is a huge deal. Even if these exact designs aren’t used in the new Princess marketing, this is the first time Disney has ever done this, and it’s clearly a testing grounds for the brand’s progression.
And... some of the designs are pretty good. Aurora, I feel, is the best job they did. She looks pretty fantastic. But for the most part, I hate to say it, but they mostly all look like Rapunzel. So much of the unique charm, art style and features of the diverse princess roster is lost in these redesigns, and they all have the same huge, round eyes, the same body build, the same everything. Belle, Snow White and Ariel all look uncomfortably similar to Rapunzel now. Now, I will admit, most of the designs are appealing, they’re just so same-y and redundant. I expected better from Disney (they can certainly afford variety between designs). It’s sad to see the designs and stylistic choices of artists, whose works date back as far as 80 years, erased and replaced with safe, go-to design choices Disney knows make money. Also... why does Mulan not only look like she’s 10 now, but kind of look like Vanellope?
But, admittedly, while I do have problems with a lot of their design choices, this part was definitely the highlight of the trailer. There were a handful of really great jokes in there (many subtle ones you could miss, especially if you aren’t a Disney buff) and the animation quality and dress designs were outstanding for what it’s worth, but the tone of the scene, as well as the rest of the trailers, is just WAY too meta for me. They completely demolished any walls and boundaries that may have existed and just turned a sequel to an outstanding movie into an irrelevant advertisement for themselves and a multitude of other companies, all wrapped in one 100% self-aware, meta, satirical mess. Now, obviously, I can’t hate on it yet. I will still see the movie, and will likely enjoy it, as Disney always gets me to enjoy their animated films. But what I’ve seen so far is inexcusable, and makes me lose a lot of respect for the project, as well as interest in a film I was already not asking for.
Oops, came out ultra long again. My bad.
Oh yeah. This just in - Disney waiting on approval for the Earth acquisition.
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New Releases 8/29/17
Happy New Release Day!
This is the big one folks. The one we’ve all been waiting and training for.
The Lion King, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, and The Lion King 1 1/2 is finally freed from on the vault. I missed picking it up the first time it came out on DVD/Blu-Ray but I am not missing out this time. Unfortunately for our wallets, all three will have to be bought separately. Which is mildly frustrating since Pocahontas, Lilo and Stitch, Mulan, and The Fox and the Hound were all released with their sequels in a combo pack earlier this year. For the same price as what one of these alone will be. Yet I can’t blame Disney for wanting to cash in while they can though they really don’t need to. I’ll definitely be getting the first two later today. I’ve never seen the third and I don’t particularly care to.
In Books --A Song for Quiet (Persons Non Grata #2) by Cassandra Khaw “Deacon James is a wandering bluesman straight from Georgia, a black man with troubles that he can’t escape, and music that won’t let him go. On a train to Arkham, he meets trouble - visions of nightmares, gaping mouths and gasping tendrils, and a madman who calls himself John Persons. According to the stranger, Deacon is carrying a seed in his head, a thing that will destroy the world if he lets it hatch. The mad ravings chase Deacon to his next gig. His saxophone doesn’t call up his audience from their seats, it calls up monstrosities from across dimensions. As Deacon flees, chased by horrors and cultists, he stumbles upon a runaway girl, who is trying to escape her father, and the destiny he has waiting for her. Like Deacon, she carries something deep inside her, something twisted and dangerous. Together, they seek to leave Arkham, only to find the Thousand Young lurking in the woods. The song in Deacon’s head is growing stronger, and soon he won’t be able to ignore it any more.”
I have not read the first book (Hammers on Bone) in this series yet but I don’t think you will necessarily need to in order to read this one. John Persons was the main character in book one but it looks like he’ll be taking a back seat in book two. It was actually this book that made me interested in this series. I love it when music is a form of magic.
--Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor Volume 1 by Tarou Hitsuji and illustrated by Aosa Tsunemi “Lumia and Sisti are mages-in-training at a prestigious magical academy where they hope to be taught by the best of the best. However, when their favorite instructor suddenly retires, his replacement turns out to be a total jerk - he’s idle, incompetent, and always late! Can Lumia help uncover their new teacher’s true potential - and can Sisti still learn magic and unravel the secrets of the mysterious Sky Castle with such a terrible mentor as her guide?”
I watched the anime of this series on Crunchyroll, though I still need to finish the last episode or two. If you ever decide to try it out, give it two episodes. It does a complete mood change near the end of episode two and from the there the show really starts getting good. The volume showed up a little early at my work so I flipped through it at the end of my shift. The end of episode two is where the volume ends. Or maybe it was a little into episode three?
There is some mild fan-service in this series. And the new teacher is a perv. But other than that I really enjoyed the show and I’m excited to read the manga.
--Kigurumi Guardians Volume 1 by Lily Hoshino “Hakka Sasakura’s life it about to turn upside-down. She comes home from a day of admiring her student body president to discover that a mysterious creature resembling a man in an animal suit has taken up residence in her home. What’s more, she has been chosen to work with this strange being to fight off invaders from another dimension and save the world...and she has to kiss him to do so?!”
Really drawn to this series because of the art style. Which this series is written and illustrated by the artist of Penguin Drum. Which then makes me think of Utena and Yurikuma Arashi. The first chapter is available to read on Kodansha’s website. It covers how Hakka and two other students (one girl and one boy (yay more magical boys!)) are recruited and become involved in a short fight with one of the weaker dimensional beings. Though none of them fight in the first chapter, it was set up for them to see that such beings are indeed real and threatening their world.
In Movies --A Journey Through Fairyland “Michael is a gifted oboe player, but his heart’s not in it. He ignores his musical studies to lose himself in the garden, playing for the benefit of his beloved flowers. Michael’s frustrated teacher gives him an ultimatum: Be serious, or leave the music school forever! Despondent, Michael prepares to say goodbye to the garden. But the floral fairy Florence, so bewitched by his music, bestows a powerful magic wand on Michael, and whisks him away. Will Michael’s astonishing adventure with Florence in Fairyland help him rediscover his love of music?”
Really want to see this. It was directed by Masami Hata who also directed Little Nemo Adventures in Storyland and The Sea Prince and the Fire Child. Which I have also never seen. But all three just look amazing. Especially Little Nemo.
--Marmalade Boy Collection 1 “Miki Koishikawa’s parents have always been strange. While deeply caring for their daughter, they’re prone to wasteful spending, oversleeping, and even taking extravagant trips. And their latest trip to Hawaii has brought back something truly outrageous: love. Not for each other, but for a different couple entirely! With her parents planning to divorce and swap partners with the Matsuuras, Miki’s life is turned upside down with a new, highly abnormal family all living together in one house. To top it off, Matsuuras have a son named Yuu exactly Miki’s age, and he’s too gorgeous for words. For better or worse, this is Miki’s life now, but adjusting won’t be easy when jealous rivals and old flames enter the mix!
Collection 1 includes episodes 1-38 of this classic shoujo series. I have never seen this series but two of my friends are very excited for this re-release. At first I thought this would be a more drama shoujo series but after a second thought I realized that it is more of a romantic comedy. After all, with both families under the same roof but staying with the others spouse there is sure to be a lot of funny, awkward situations.
--The Nutcracker Fantasy “After a young girl, Clara, receives a nutcracker from her enigmatic Uncle Drosselmayer, she finds that her precious present is stolen by thieving rats led by Mauslynx, the double-headed rat queen. To win it back, Clara enters a surreal land through her family’s grandfather clock. One of her stops is the Kingdom of Dolls, where she finds the king grieving over his cursed, eternally-asleep daughter, Princess Mary, a doppelganger for Clara herself. She and Franz, the captain of the guards and Mary’s suitor, infiltrate the army of rats in a desperate attempt to dethrone the despot!”
A stop-motion film from 1979 made with dolls. It reminds me of the classic Christmas films of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without Santa Claus, and so on. Which I watch every year so this title would be a nice addition to add to my yearly movies. Also, film wise, it looks very impressive. I looked up a trailer on YouTube and it has some pretty great camerawork that I don’t think I’ve seen in other stop-motion films of that era.
Those are my top picks for this week. Other great titles are also coming out today like Gotham S3 and Ushio and Tora (the new series). What is everyone most excited for?
#the lion king#pocahontas#lilo and stitch#mulan#the fox and the hound#a song for quiet#cassandra khaw#akashic records of bastard magic instructor#tarou hitsuji#aosa tsunemi#kigurumi guardians#lily hoshino#penguin drum#utena#revolutionary girl utena#yurikuma arashi#a journey through fairyland#masami hata#little nemo adventrues in fairyland#the sea prince and the fire child#marmalade boy#the nutcracker fantasy#new releases#books#book recommendations#sci fi books#manga#movies#dvd#blu ray
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Evermore: Why Beauty & the Beast lives on throughout generations
“Minutes turn to hours, days to years and gone. But when all else has been forgotten... Still our song lives on.”
Everyone knows the story: how a beautiful young woman fell in love with a hideous beast, lifting a 10-year-long curse from his castle and all who lived there. This is as the song goes, “A tale as old as time”, and anyone who’s anyone would have at least watched this Disney classic at least once. Though I’d like to believe we all managed to watch it more times that we would like to admit.
But Beauty and the Beast is more than just a love story; a romance between two different people who at first hated each other but eventually grew fond of one another. No. There’s more to this story than what meets the eyes and the most recent live-action remake showed us exactly that and even made us realize what made us love this tale so much in the first place.
I grew up watching Disney films. These stories are the borders of my childhood; the foundation of my beliefs apart from the things taught by parents and teachers. Beauty and the Beast basically taught me never to judge a book by its cover. Funny I should say that considering Belle is portrayed as a bookworm. But it’s true that the tale taught us the value of beauty and how it is not determined by appearance but found within.
This is such a timely theme, considering we live in a world where physical beauty is so important. People strive to be beautiful—to stay beautiful. Judging by the countless beauty advertisements, movie actors and actresses that glitter under lights like stars, we have truly built a “beautiful world.”
Though from another perspective, is it really a beautiful world when there is so much wickedness going on? There are wars being fought; injustices prevailing; evil and insecurities residing in people’s minds and hearts. The world may look beautiful on the outside, but what about on the inside? In order to make this words truly beautiful, people must learn not to let hate rule in their hearts; to be good. I believe everyone is ‘innately good’, no one was born bad… much like the Beast who was only influenced by his cruel father, turning him heartless and unkind.
People — mostly girls should also be more accepting of themselves. A lot of girls find it hard to tell themselves that they are beautiful, even more so to accept compliments from others. It is sad but this world has made its own standards of beauty which we have fooled ourselves into believing. If you think about it, it’s quite ridiculous to have a common standard for beauty since it’s subjective. We all have different perspectives. Best to keep that in mind next time you look into a mirror.
Apart from that main message of this story, Beauty and the Beast actually teaches us more things about life—and ourselves—which was very evident in the live-action remake.
One being: girls can be heroines too.
It’s always the knight in shining armor; Prince charming who sweeps us off our feet or defeats the might dragon and saves the damsel in distress. Belle was actually one of the few Disney princesses who didn’t act like a “princess” and did more than just stand there and look pretty, hoping for Prince charming to come and save her from that so-called “provincial life”. Belle was a very active character and even ended up saving everyone in the end. She should definitely be a role model to young girls as she embodies a strong and independent personality which women need to take note of in order to break through ongoing inequalities in society.
If Belle can save the day, why can’t you? And it’s actually quite amazing how recent Disney princesses like Moana and Elsa from Frozen—or even other classic princesses like Mulan are taking more active roles.
Beauty and the Beast also has one of the most beautiful — and meaningful songs ever composed in Disney history. So when I discovered that there were going to be new tracks, I was simply overjoyed!
“Days in the Sun” was a beautiful track filled with much hope and longing. Although I adored “Human Again” (and I’m not going to lie, I was a bit saddened at first when I found out that it wouldn’t be in the film), I thought Days in the Sun fitted really well into the scoring and storyline.
How in the midst of all this sorrow Can so much hope and love endure I was innocent and certain Now I'm wiser but unsure
- from Days in the Sun
Belle’s part in this song really stood out for me as it can be related to our world and how amidst all the sadness and hardships we go through, love and hope are the two things that thrive and keep us going. Also, is it not true that when we were younger and innocent, we were always certain of the things we wanted? Our dreams were pretty clear then and we had it all figured out on who we wanted to be like or what we wanted to do. But as we grew older, we changed—dreams change which often left us unsure. Being wiser doesn’t mean you would know everything…it simply means learning to question things—learning to doubt even.
“Evermore” was my favorite track for this film simply because the beast was humanized through this song…making us see that he is truly indeed a person underneath that beastly appearance.
Now I know she'll never leave me Even as she fades from view She will still inspire me Be a part of everything I do Wasting in my lonely tower Waiting by an open door I'll fool myself, she'll walk right in...
And be with me forevermore
- from Evermore
It such a sad song and I loved how the Beast was able to show his sorrow at Belle’s departure and express his feelings for her through this scene. His act of letting her go was already a clear sign of his love for her but this song took it to a whole new level when he practically sang how he’d only love her forevermore and that no matter how far she may be from him, he would always be reminded of her.
While watching that scene, I couldn’t help but cry (yes I cried twice when I saw it for the second time) and its not only because I felt through the Beast’s pain but also because I realized we were all the Beast in a way. We’re all flawed, we’re all hurting, and we’ve all lost someone along the way; be it a loved one, a significant other, or a friend. But the memory of them remains and no matter how sad it makes us when we think about them and all that might have been, our experiences with them inspire us and has made us stronger. You know I’ve always believed you can’t un-love someone whom you “truly loved”. Because that love we gave was real, and you can’t really take it back. To move on, you can only love someone more.
“How Does a Moment Last Forever” basically captured the essence of this beautiful tale. The whole song practically breathes and lives on quotes so I’m not going to mention my favorites because I would end up writing the whole thing. It’s a beautiful song about life and the beauty of its imperfections; and how love is what binds everything together.
Beauty and the Beast truly has a lot to say about real life and it’s amazing how a fairytale can affect us so much. We fell in love with it in the books… when Disney released the animated version in 1991…and today as we witness it come alive in 2017. Beauty and the Beast taught us that beauty is found within and that love is a powerful catalyst. Most importantly, and I’d say this as it is not said enough, this story taught us about second chances and that it can be granted to those who try to change and become better people.
“Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong.” - from Beauty & the Beast
I truly enjoyed watching this film again and dare I say it was as good as watching it for the first time back when I was a little girl. Now that I’m an adult, it became more meaningful and the experience was spellbinding. This is why I think Beauty and the Beast will continue to live on throughout generations… because it is a story with depth; one that teaches us so much about ourselves...
Teaches us that amidst all the sorrows and hardships, there is love and there is hope. And that’s basically all you need for wonders to happen.
PS: And to all the hopeless romantics out there...or to those simply looking for their one true love, don’t lose hope. I think everyone thinks they’re not worth it but hey, if Belle can love someone who was as flawed as the Beast … someone can love you too. No matter how crazy or imperfect you may be.
Related articles:
A Thing or Two from Cinderella: what a Classic Disney movie has to say about Life
Web Masterlist | Mobile Masterlist
#Beauty & the Beast#orginals#Kaye Allen#2017 Disney remake#Disney#lessons#fairytales#articles#write up#movies#films#thoughts
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