#choosing only one 1 disney princess was impossible so i had to make it 2

[musicallisto]

I was also tagged by @permanentreverie to share 4 of my favorite fictional characters, and let tumblr decide which one suits my vibe best! I love this concept because I'm always thirsting for psychoanalysis😌

[writesick-lover]

Strawberry Milkshake

Spiderman x fem!reader pt.2

part 1

Summary: In a world where nobody remembers who Peter Parker is, the poor boy is slowly building his life again, especially when it comes to MJ. He hopes to gradually restore their lost relationship when he meets another girl, a new contact he didn't know he needed.

Warning: This is part 2 of the story New Contacts

♦️ ♦️ ♦️ ♦️

Two weeks flew by quicker than you thought and what was originally supposed to be one-time tutoring for Peter Parker turned out to be a whole set of study sessions for your exams and projects, flavoured by the constant help from Peter. You found yourself wandering how did this guy not attend MIT with you, or maybe even Harvard, when he was so effortlessly grasping topics that took you weeks to figure out.

"I hate this professor," you mumbled once, sitting on his couch as he sat on a pillow on the other side of the table, tugging on your physics book. "Why?" he chuckled, pulling it out completely and opening it on a random page, breezing through the tiny printed words. "He made me do this absolutely impossible project because I was ten minutes late. Ten minutes! And he knows how much I suck at physics, so he's basically giving me hell like every lesson!" you threw your arms into the air in frustration, letting them fall down with a loud thud against the couch.

"Why do you take his subject then, if you don't like it that much?" you met Peter's dark chocolate eyes staring at you from behind the book. "My parents want me to be an engineer," you sighed. "Said I needed a proper job instead of-"

"A waitress," he cut you off, earning a pillow flying above the table, aimed for his head. 

"No," you chuckled, looking away from his sweet smile that always managed to capture you too much. "No, I was thinking of making it to Brodway one day. I used to write small plays for my elementary school and highschool, thinking that maybe one day they could be plastered on the bilboards of New York City,"

Peter watched your eyes get lost in the view of his window, the roofs of millions of buildings in Queens visible from where you were sitting. "Who says they couldn't be? One day?" your were brought back by his soft voice, making you smile sadly. "My parents," you commented, leaving him with nothing to say as he knew that fear of disappointing his loved ones. Yet, he still knew he had to choose his heart. And he thought that you should know it too.

"You should follow your heart," he broke the silence between the two of you, his words creating another smile on your lips, this time a rather sarcastic one. "Okay, Disney princess," you joked, getting the lost pillow thrown back at you. "I might, once you tell me why didn't you follow your heart to MIT. You're obviouly a nerd and you know your way around this... stuff," you gestured at the opened books in front of you, mere look on them making you shiver in disgust. "I'm not a nerd," Peter immediately shook his head. 

"Really? Tell me the name of a certain math term defined as 'a rectangular array or table of numbers, symbols, or expressions, arranged in rows and columns'," you lifted your eyebrow. "Matrix," Peter said without missing a beat. "And what planet is Chewbacca from?"

"Kashyyyk," you nodded, Peter's immediate responses only proving your point as a victorious grin spread across your face. "Bingo," Peter scrunched his nose as you moved your body in a small victory dance, taking a sip from one of the two glasses full of strawberry milkshake on the table. 

"So now, spill the beans, why aren't you studying at MIT?" you watched as Peter's posture slumped just like the first time you met him in the cafeteria, his eyes suddenly thousand miles away, lost in his complicated mind. "I almost was," he spoke up after a while, his voice quiet. "I applied and I got in... They just lost me," he breathed out a heavy breath that seemed to be stuck in him this whole time. He technically didn't lie, they did lose him, as in any information about him, just like everyone on this world. And despite the weight it has put on his shoulders, he seemed to breathe a bit lighter once it was out. 

"I'm so sorry," you muttered, feeling bad for pushing a topic that was clearly sensitive for him. "Are you thinking of applying again?"

"Only if you submit one of your plays to Broadway," he grinned. "Maybe a smaller theater for the starter?" you smiled back helplessly, sighing in relief as he nodded, and stuck out your pinky. "Promise," he tied your pinky with his, sending warmth from his skin to your whole body. "Deal,"

"How was the vacation?" you asked, turning your head a bit to see MJ on the other side of the cafeteria. "It was good, had a lot of fun with everyone, until our car broke down," she shrugged, unphased by your shocked expression. "And I suppose everything ended well, since you're here safe and healthy, or am I talking to a ghost?" you joked, earning a small chuckle from your colleague. "Ned's grandma alarmed their neighbour to come and pick us up," MJ shrugged, joining you at the mixer. 

"Why two glasses? Thought you were doing a milkshake for yourself?" she shouted through the mixer you manged to turn on with a pink mess turning inside. "For Peter," you yelled back, the bell at the door jingling as soon as you turned the gadget off, the mentioned brown haired boy skipping inside.

"Guess who applied!" he put his phone in front of you, barely registering MJ standing next to you, watching him in surprise. You gasped as you read that his application was sent successfully, pushing yourself over the counter with one hand to hug him with the other, Peter reciprocating the hug tightly. "Now, where's the play?" he smirked, making you shake your head. "That will come after the physics project. Can you imagine what he told me? That apparently my, well, your idea wasn't enough and I should use real physics as a base for this project," you groaned, remembering the talk from your physics teacher that kept bothering you the whole day. "He's such a jerk, but we'll figure something out! If he wants real physics we better give him one," he winked, making a small giggle escape your lips.

"I didn't know you two are friends," MJ's voice made both of you turn to her, meeting her confused eyes jumping from him to you. "MJ," Peter breathed out a bit of air, the rest getting stuck in his throat as he didn't know what to say. You looked at him, a bit confused what to do before MJ opened her mouth again. 

"Chocolate moccha for you as usual, Peter?" she watched as Peter's eyes fell on the two glasses of strawberry milkshake you were holding, the drink now becoming a tradition after two weeks of drinking it with you. "I'll have it later, thank you," he nodded back at MJ politely, taking a glass from you. 

You watched in shock as MJ turned away immediately, Peter's lips parting to release the rest of the breath he was holding. "Peter," you spoke up, feeling there was something between them you might have interrupted when an interruption of your worried thoughts came in a form Peter's gentle smile. "I will talk to her later, for now I have you and your strawberry milkshake,"

♦️ ♦️ ♦️ ♦️

Thank you for reading :D

Let me know how you like this story!

⤞ My masterlist ⤝

[uncloseted]

hi! i really love your thoughts on feminism and anti-intellectualism because that's what i've been thinking for the longest time but haven't been able to articulate as well as you have. while we're on this subject, what are your thoughts on plastic surgery being touted as "empowering"? i am not speaking about plastic surgery for reconstructive/health purposes but body modification. i get that women having greater autonomy over their bodies is definitely a step forward, but if you're (1)

(2) going to modify your body in ways that men find appealing- bigger breasts, wider hips, especially the new trend of "bimbo bodies"- isn't that just sort of feeding into your insecurities? getting bigger boobs would be nice, yes, but the idea that big breasts = sexy again, stems from misogyny and conventional ideals of sexiness (though it does have an evolutionary basis). i feel my most controversial view is that i hate plastic surgery, even when celebs are "open" about it haha i mean even if

(3) you admit to modifying your body you're still kinda selling the notion that there's only one "desirable" body type. Thanks a lot for answering! i love your blog so much

I think it’s... complicated.  There are so many different reasons that people get cosmetic surgery and so many different outcomes that people have from them that I feel like it’s not fair to label all cosmetic surgery as “empowering” or “not empowering”.  At the same time, I also feel weird about drawing lines about what can and cannot be empowering when it comes to cosmetic surgery. 

Beauty is something that’s both culturally prized and culturally powerful; we’re taught from a very young age that people will like you if you’re pretty, and that beauty = good and ugly = evil.  Disney princesses are pretty; the villains are ugly.  Nobody likes Ursula, but they sure like Ariel. This impacts our lives as adults.  People who are conventionally attractive are assumed to be healthier, happier, more trustworthy, and more moral.  That translates to real-life outcomes- people who are conventionally attractive make more money and on average have better outcomes in court cases than their unattractive counterparts.  Although we don’t publicly admit it, beauty is a privilege, the same way being thin is.  As a result, we live in a culture that prizes beauty highly and where our self-esteem is tied up in looks.  As humans, we crave validation, and the easiest way to get it in this system is through being attractive.  So I think it makes sense that a lot of people are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that beauty, and why internally, it feels very important to us to be beautiful. 

However, although women are expected to be beautiful, they’re belittled for caring about being beautiful.  Women are supposed to be naturally beautiful, with no need for makeup or skincare or haircare or fashion, otherwise they’re considered superficial and vain.  It’s an impossible standard, and one that’s becoming more and more difficult to meet with the rise of Facetune and widely available cosmetic surgery.  Plastic surgery is kind of a way out of the “natural beauty” catch-22.  You can fix all your perceived “flaws”, and then you can claim that you are, and always have been, naturally beautiful.  As long as you never admit to the plastic surgery, you can absolve yourself of the guilt that comes along with being “vain” for putting time and effort into your appearance.

Coupled with those beauty standards, we’re constantly being bombarded with all of the ways we’re failing to live up to that cultural beauty standard.  The beauty industry exists to create insecurities in people that weren’t there before (like stretch marks or hip dips) so that people will buy more products to “fix” those insecurities.  We’re bombarded with images of people who don’t appaer to have those same flaws, and so those flaws get emphasized in our eyes.  And then we “fix” those flaws ourselves, through Facetune or Photoshop or other beauty editing apps, which only makes us notice those flaws more frequently.  I think a lot of people, especially now, are getting cosmetic surgery with the goal of looking like the person they pretend they already are.

The sad thing is that cosmetic surgery by and large doesn’t actually make people happier.  It won’t completely change your relationship with yourself or your self esteem; only you can do that, by changing the way you think about yourself.  At worst, it can start a cycle of cosmetic procedures where you’re constantly trying to fix aspects of yourself but are never satisfied with the results.

Where does that leave us?  I’m honestly not sure.  By feeding into beauty standards through plastic surgery, we’re in some ways being complicit in our own oppression.  And yet, becoming more attractive has tangible results that allow us to be more powerful and influential, which can in turn help us to change the way our beauty standards operate, or to get rid of them entirely.  I think some of the concrete actions we can take are to follow and elevate beauty icons who don’t conform to traditional beauty standards and to stop prizing beauty among all other things.

So can cosmetic surgery be “empowering”?  At this point, I’m not even sure what that word means, and I suspect it’s lost its meaning entirely.  I think getting cosmetic surgery is negatively contributing to an oppressive system.  But I also would never judge someone who chooses to do it, and I know I would do it myself if I had the opportunity.  I think where I land is that the choice to have cosmetic surgery or not is feminist; female bodily autonomy is important. The procedure itself is questionable.

[ajoblotofjunk]

Top 7 Comfort Movies

As tagged by @pretty--thief��

Listen, these are COMFORT movies so like. Back off.

1. Ever After - I’ve seen this whole movie so much I could probably recreate it, including blocking, from memory.

2. Music & Lyrics - Most of these are going to be Drew Barrymore romcoms because if I’m upset and want comfort, that is where I turn. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Hugh Grant is actually really charming in this and except for the entirely unnecessary subplot about her sister’s weight loss company (which...sigh), the rest of the movie is genuinely delightful. (Also I’m kind of into the age difference okay?) (Also this would translate SO PERFECTLY into a Jaime/Brienne AU and I literally only realized that this second, um.) (Now I’m gonna spend the rest of the today thinking about Jaime as an aging pop star who performs at county fairs.) (And Brienne comes and helps him write this beautiful love song.) (And they pick on each other but work together so well until the fall in love.) (Oh no.)

3. The Wedding Singer - the most charming I have found and will likely ever find Adam Sandler! They’re friends! He helps her plan her wedding! It’s set in the 80s! Billy Idol makes a hilarious cameo! This one is always good. Just pure happiness.

4. Never Been Kissed - Look. I KNOW that the premise of Michael Vartan’s teacher being even R E M O T E L Y interested in Josie as a pretend high schooler is wrong on eight thousand levels but. I have watched the last ten minutes of this movie more than most things and every time I’m caught up in the ~drama~ of “will he arrive in time???”. I just have to overlook a lot of problematic stuff to get there (David Arquette’s character actually hanging out with a high school girl is so unbearable I do have to fast-forward through anything with him, though. I cannot.)

5. You’ve Got Mail - I just fully adore this movie. Meg Ryan is so cute and they have such a great chemistry and I love Tom Hanks being kiiiiind of a dick, it’s something he was really good at in a way that isn’t offputting.

6. Galaxy Quest - This movie is good EVERY SINGLE TIME. Everyone is funny, it’s eternally quotable, the story is fun. Speaks to my fannish heart.

It’s impossible to choose the last one; I want to shove five different movies in here. (No dance films?? No Disney films?? No Princess Bride??? Who AM I?) But ultimately I had to go with a musical, because I’m always happy watching musicals.

7. Singin’ in the Rain - There is no scene in all of cinema that makes me happier than Gene Kelly’s dance in the rain. The ULTIMATE pick-me-up.

Honorary shout-out to Richard Gere’s remake of “Shall We Dance” for this list, too, because the tango scene in that movie is scorching hot.

OOPS I was supposed to tag people. I don’t know how many. Hee. Uhhh: @ladyinredfics​ @samirant​ @it-may-be-dull-but-im-determined​ @slipsthrufingers​ @nossbean​ @bethanyactually​

And of course anyone who wants to do it! Just say I tagged you, I’ve got your back!

[miramizar]

11 questions tag

I was tagged by @achenlove, @milky-waee, @conqueredthemagic and @notasiren21​! Haha this took such a long time to do and I know I’m terribly late but thank you for tagging me! I had lots of fun, even if answering all these combined took both time and energy haha~ 💕

Rules:

Post the rules Answer the questions given to you by the tagger. Write 11 questions of your own Tag 11 people

My Questions:

1) Sunny days or rainy days?

2) It’s saturday morning, you’ve slept in and you are free the entire day. What do you do?

3) If a book/tv-series you love doesn’t end happily, will you get angry and never read/watch it again?

4) You get to fill a bag with whatever candy you like from your local supermarket! What do you fill it with?

5) Have you ever played an instrument? (Singing also counts~)

6) What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see the word “happiness”?

7) Recommend me a book!

8) If you were to start a new hobby, what would you do?

9) Do you have any favourite words? (doesn’t matter which language you choose!)

10) Tell me your favourite movie from Disney, Pixar and Studio Ghibli~

11) What encouraging words do you need to hear right now?

I’d like to tag @xiuminscheeks​, @ladyliliah​, @youngk-hun​, @qtpie1098​, @suhosmilitarywife​, @cottonhyun​​, @iyeolie​​​​, @bloomingyouths​​ and whoever wants to do this! 💞

My answers are under the cut if you want to read them! (^_^)💗

1. What´s a hidden talent of yours?  

Um, can shake my eyes and move my nostrils?

2. What makes you really really angry? 

Whenever things don’t go the way I want to (and I get angry at myself) and when people are being rude

3. If you got one wish, what would you wish for? 

For everybody to be happy~

4. Tell us the reason your bias is your bias! 

I just love everything about Junmyeon - his dorkiness, his big heart, how adorable he is, how thoughtful and stubborn he is, his beautiful smile... Everything really 💖 Jinki is so natural and warm and soft... Leo is a sweetheart, so kind and humble and open with his thoughts, and his smile is so beautiful my heart hurts 💘 for Mark, it’s how cute and hard-working he is, and how easy he finds things interesting and funny~ and Leeteuk is just a big, pretty ball of weird who manages to make me laugh at any time~ 💕

5. If you only could listen to one song for the rest of your life, what song would you choose? 

Oh my goodness I can’t answer that (>_<;)

6. If you were able to go on a date with your bias, what would you do and why?

Something calm, like visiting a café or a bookshop would be lovely~ (>///<)💘

7. What makes you happy? 

Seeing the people I love being happy and dorky 💖

8. Name 5 things you wouldn´t be able to live without! 

My family, music, books, candy and nature 💚

9. You´ve just won 1 million dollars, what do you do with them? 

Probably pay off my family’s loans, use a little of it to buy myself books and cute things and such, and then give the rest to charity~

10. Tell us 3 things your followers doesn´t know about you! 

Ahh, well I just started painting with watercolours (I’m truly a beginner but it’s fun so far~), I know enough japanese to understand what’s going on in un-subbed shows, and I really like planning things out but actually doing them is hard (>w<)❣️

11. What is your dream, your goal in life?

I don’t really know... I want to make people happy, of course... I haven’t thought beyond that really, maybe I should do that...

~Next set of questions!~

1 RANDOM QUESTION BUT: what would you name your dog if you had one??? (I need suggestions)

Ahah I do have one and his name is Picasso!

2 Favourite pic/gif/MEME of your bias? 

adhgfaoad I love all pictures of my biases but I love these a lot!!

3 what would you say to your bias if you had the chance to talk to them (like, you meet them while they’re drinking a coffee and you just pass by and you exchange a few words)

I would say thank you for working so hard and for always thinking of us fans, and that I treasure them a lot 💕

4 Chen’s “Ah waeeeee” or Xiumin’s “marshmallow~ marshmallow~”?

They’re both cute!! In different ways! But I guess “marshmallow~”? (>^<)💞

5 “Yo, nice skirt” or “up and down like a rollercoaster”?

up and down like a rollercoaster 🎶

6.Do you like pineapple on your pizza? Please be honest.

Yup! 🍍❤️ 🍕~

7 What’s your favourite girl group?

I don’t really like that many girl groups but I’m currently looking into Mamamoo and Brown Eyed Girls~

8 would you let Pcy punch you in the face killing you instantly? (this is important)

Um, If he has to? But preferably not :>

9 You’re in Baek’s room and he’s asleep next to Mongryong. He looks like an angel.Would you rather fall asleep next to him hugging him or steal Mongryong and start running as fast as you can? :=))))

Sleep next to him, definitely! 

10 What’s your favourite MV??

I really like Overdose, For life and Universe~

11 It’s 3 am and you hear strange noises from the apartment in front of yours: it’s Suho dancing to Red Velvet’s Red Flavor. Would you join him or throw a shoe at him?

Join him!! ❤️

~Next set of questions!~

1. Original bias in your ult group?

Junmyeon~

2. How did you get into kpop?

My youngest sister is into dancing and she found some cool videos on youtube one day, showed me and the rest is history 💫

3. What’s the best way kpop has changed your life?

It gave me friends, let me grow closer to my sisters and inspired me in an otherwise very grey reality 💕

4. If you could start your own group, what concept would you have and what position would you hold?

I’d probably be the exasperated leader (I took a quiz recently so I got proof) for a group that makes music that is both soft and happy, and a bit dark and upbeat~ ❣️ Maybe a little like VIXX’s style?

5. Fave look of your bias? (Era wise)

This.

6. Fave pet of the members?

All of them! 💓

7. Fave mv of your ultimate group?

I already answered this, but they’re all really nice so it’s hard to just pick one... Maybe Universe, since it’s so aesthetically pleasing and also pretty deep? :> 

8. Favorite fanfic??

That’s something for another post haha but oh well, I really love “Got hands like the ocean” by apaixono, it has me squealing and laughing and crying and everything in between~ 💕

9. Have you seen your bias group live?

Nope - even though they were really close to me when they were in Germany, I didn’t have enough money to go :<

10. Favorite EXO blogs and why?

uh... I think they’re all great? I mean, both the ones creating stuff and those who reblog things... we’re all important to the fandom ❣️

1. Describe yourself with 3 words

Kind, creative, insecure

2. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My self-confidence... if I had more of it I think I would be happier... 

3. What do you do to make yourself happy when you´re sad? 

Look at fun things that my favourite kpop-groups do, Gaki no Tsukai, Yoon Siyoon, reading and being creative (when it works out, if it doesn’t I just get more sad 💘), being with my family and pets~

4. If you could meet your 5-year old self, what would you say to her/him? 

You’re great just the way you are, don’t ever forget that 💝

5. What is you biggest fear? 

Ending up alone... and accidentally hurting people :<

6. When did you start listen to kpop?

In the spring of 2016 I think?

7. If you could meet your bias for a minute, what would you say to him/ her?

Thank you for everything you do and for thinking about your fans, I'm so happy to know you 💓

8. Name 3 people you admire

Apart from all the amazing kpop people ahah (>w<) Well, Itzhak Perlman, Aki (manga artist) and the crown princess of Sweden~

9. What´s the sound you like the most? 

The wind blowing through things; like trees and grass and wind chimes~

10. If you got one wish, what would you wish for? 

Everybody’s happiness~

11. What would you do if you were invisible for a day?

Read somewhere in a corner I guess... maybe check out some stores, some are so crowded that I just feel like I’m being in the way if I go inside so I don’t, but if I were invisible I could actually do it... I don’t really know haha 💕

~Next set of questions!~

1. Who is your favourite EXO-CBX member and why?

They’re all amazing, but I choose Xiumin - because he’s so soft and full of surprises! 💜

2. Who in your bias group would you like to be your best friend?

Oh... well I’m very similar to D.O so maybe D.O? (>v<)💖

3. Who is your NCT bias (if you have one)?

Mark~

4. What is your favourite food?

Steak with potatoes, gravy and lingonberry jam~ ❤️

5. Favourite thing about your bias -personality wise?

All of my biases try really hard, they’re very kind and spontaneous and aren’t afraid of being dorky~ 💗

6. What’s your favourite body part of your bias?

Okay this is really embarrassing (/▽＼*)｡o○♡ I’m not really one to like specific body parts but I kind of love Jinki’s thighs because they look healthy? ajfdaihfba

7. Favourite colour?

Soft and bright ones, like white, light blue and light purple~

8. Who has the best humour in your bias group?

Suho is the funniest in EXO, period. (>w<)💕 but yeah, I find all my biases the most fun in all of my favourite groups~

9. What’s your favourite animal?

Cats ✨

10. Would you rather go on an ice cream date or a coffee-shop date with your bias?

I’m happy to do either, as long as I get to be with my bias (>///<)❣️

11. How do you feel about beans?

...not really a fan. Hide it in other food and I’ll eat it, otherwise I won’t eat it.

~Next set of questions!~

1) Your favorite quote that grounds you to being yourself?

Oh, that’s a good question... maybe “You doubt your value. Don’t run from who you are.” It’s a quote from the Narnia books that I really like, and since I struggle a lot with self-loathing it is very important to me since it makes me remember that I am valuable~ 💫

2) Ultimate ship you’re fond of and love?

This is pretty much impossible to answer because I have wayyyyy to many ships and I can’t choose just one of them adjfbnaidfad

3) Favorite soulmate AU type? (I.e. name on wrist, heterocrhomia eyes of your other half’s, seeing color for the first time)

I like all of them but I haven’t heard of the heterochromia one, that sounds really beautiful!

4) Favorite show of yours that you love that’s not in your first language?

Merlin. I like a lot of shows but Merlin is the one I keep coming back to. ✨

5) Your white noise show? (Go to show you can rewatch countless times and tune in and out of)

SCRUBS. Definitely. It’s such a great show, perfectly balanced between humour and seriousness and almost every episode works well on it’s own so no matter when you decide to watch you’ll have a nice time~

6) Fictional character you wish was real to validate your unnecessary crush?

Oh, I don’t really fall in love with fictional characters? I just ship them with people from their own universe haha (^^;)

7) A weird phobia you have that you can’t explain?

I have phobias, but I don’t know if they’re un-explainable... like my fear of insects can be explained by me getting stung by a bee when I was little...

8) Sweets or Sours?

I like both, but I’’ll say sweets! 🍬

9) Are you an artist, writer, musician, or part of the adoring audience who supports them?

...I’m a bit of them all? I play the violin so I am a musician, and I like to write and I always support other artists 💗

10) Favorite band?

I love a lot of Kpop groups, and apart from that... musically or personality-wise? Because musically I’d say any group made by Alexander Bard, but personality-wise... Westlife? Maybe??

Congratulations for reading all of those messy answers! (>W<) You’re amazing~ Have a nice day! 💖

[liorasophie]

All my thoughts on Aladdin 2019 Live Action Remake

I'll never give up on the animated version, it's my favorite movie of all time. But this was an absolute gift, I loved it so much. All the feels. Must rewatch.🤩

TL:DR version:

Aladdin - hot

Jafar - hot

Jasmine - hottt

Arabian Nights - hotter than hot (in a lot of good ways)

5 stars. Go see it in the theater.

**Spoilers ahead***

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Cultural Updates

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PASSING THE BECHDEL TEST

People sometimes try to shrug off why movies fail Bechdel by saying that they are era appropriate. News flash: women have existed for a very long time. A story passes Bechdel because the artist made a decision that women are an important part of it, and the roles they play are valuable. Adding Dalia's character gave Jasmine a friend, which makes her much more of her own person, rather than "a prize to be won." The women are suddenly their own people and not just props.

PASSING POC BECHDEL TEST

Hats off to Disney for making the effort to cast this movie authentically. I've heard a few gripes about Naomi Scott as Jasmine being Indian, when the story is about the Middle East. Peeps, I live in the Middle East and I have to say that the most authentic representation of our region is not in a cast where everyone is one single ethnicity - rather the diverse cast represents this part of the world much more accurately. The Middle East is an ethnically heterogeneous place. It actually makes more sense to me that they are not all the same.

#representationmatters

It was nice to see the removal of the disturbing lyrics from the original, although I don't think I can ever unhear "where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face." Also, to be fair, "Barbaric but hey, it's home," is both not politically correct and also a kind of endearing and accurate statement about the Middle East.

"Friday Salaam" This is a cute gesture but I'm not sure Islam's Friday and Christianity's Sunday are entirely comparable. It would be nice to hear from someone who knows if "Friday Salaam" means anything.

Jasmine 1992 calls the Sultan "Father," and in the LAR she calls him "Baba," which is the Arabic would for Dad.

Characters

=========

GENIE

Don't go in expecting Will Smith to be Robin Williams. Those are impossible shoes to fill. Will Smith knew this going into the role. I Loved how he put himself into the genie, giving it a hip hop twist. The genie's story ending is also much more satisfying than the animation.

The live action movie emphasized the relationship between Aladdin and the Genie much more than the animated version, not that it wasn't there, just not as much. It felt to me like Aladdin/Genie was actually the central relationship of the film, following the classic boy-meets-girl formula where Aladdin/Jasmine doesn't.

The live-action genie has a clear race and gender, as opposed to animated genie, who is just blue. This makes it stronger to see drag!genie and flamboyant!genie and black!genie.

JAFAR

Jafar getting a backstory and more rational, human motives deepened our understanding of the villain and made his motives much more clear and realistic. It also made him wanting to marry the princess a much less cringey scene to watch - I just think his reasons made more sense than in the animation.

Marwan Kenzari's Jafar is not the distastefully feminized Jafar of the animation, which perpetuates negative stereotypes about feminine men. Nope. Hot Jafar completely drops this aspect of the beloved villain. However - we lost the Prince Ali Reprise in the remake - I wonder if singing!Jafar is too feminine?

Jafar calling the Sultan "Baba" :)

The relationship between Jasmine and Jafar is also much more appealing and makes much more sense in the LAR. It even makes me wonder if they have any kind of unresolved courtship. Why wouldn't he have just tried to go for it if he could become Sultan that way? Why doesn't Jafar try to hypnotize Jasmine? He knows he can't, which means he has tried it before, or doesn't consider her a significant threat (more likely.) But why wouldn't he just try to marry her? He wanted to be Sultan, seems like an easy fix. There must be a reason they never just opted for that. How does Jasmine think of Jafar?

"Baba" - Is Jafar a lovechild of the Sultan with a servant, thereby being born into poverty even though he could have been born for the throne? This would also make him and Jasmine siblings. I should check the book.

ALADDIN

LOVE LOVE LOVE Mena Massoud's embodiment of Aladdin as much more humble/embarrassed by all the attention even as Prince Ali - The animated character kind of magically became cocky and I don't like that as much in comparison.

Aladdin is such a good listener. Wow. What a guy. Not just this, also his awareness of other people's needs (although this came to light in the animation.)

It's much more obvious this time what makes him "a diamond in the rough."

It doesn't seem era appropriate or even possible at all that Aladdin would just totally believe Jasmine should be the Sultan if it's never been done in 1000 years. And yet, this portrayal of Aladdin as a woke 3rd-wave feminist is adorable and inspiring and a much more suitable partner for ambitious Jasmine, as well as a better role model for men and boys. Love it.

Note that Aladdin describes Jasmine to the genie as: 1) smart 2) kind 3) so beautiful. In that order. This is true for the animation as well but I never noticed it until the LAR.

Aladdin and Jasmine's courtship is a most appealing love story. They listen to each other, they understand each other deeply. Aladdin is such a good listener! And it's only when he starts to lose himself in the power rush that the genie gets upset with him. Aladdin has no ego, he just wants to hang out with Jasmine because he likes her. He sees other people around him. He's sensitive to others' needs. He's good with animals. And Jasmine really is not a prize to be won. Her journey towards winning over Aladdin is just because she likes him and wants to be with him. Of her own merit she wants to be Sultan and has the wisdom and leadership skills to go with it.

JASMINE

Jasmine's character actually having ambition and getting to show her leadership abilities takes Jasmine as the iconic feminist Disney princess to the next level.

"Speechless" is the new third-wave anthem. It resonates with #metoo vibes, speaking out against injustice and refusing to just look pretty and stay silent. It also speaks to breaking traditions like religious practices and men's leadership just because that's what has always been done.

Then again, the animation is not so era appropriate either - I don't think it's era appropriate for Jasmine to even think she could have a chance of marrying for love - or for the idea to cross her mind in the first place. Love and marriage were not mixed until much later.

In the animation, when Jasmine choose Prince Ali, her father then declares that he will become Sultan. Aladdin's facial expressions reflect that he is not prepared for this. Did he not know that this would be a package deal with courting the princess? Like what did he think was going to happen? Still, I felt the lack of his leadership experience in that declaration, and that doesn't resolve at the end. The remake patches up this hole perfectly. Aladdin is not prepared for leading a country, but Jasmine is, and this comes to light beautifully. It's not just a nice feminist twist, it's a much better solution.

IAGO

Iago wasn't funny at all. Disappointment. His lines in the original are the most quotable of all time. This part was missing for me.

=========

VISUALS

Other Stuff

The glittery colorful costumes! The set! It's beautiful. I loved all the things that looked similar to the animation but were updated and look better in the LAR.

MUSIC

The new score, sounds much more authentic, I could actually hear the traditional Arabic drumming patterns in some of the songs, in a much more prominent way than the original. (Although the new score still has that western-disney twist on it holding it back from sounding 100% authentic.)

FINALLY

The LAR is not as scary as the animated version. This is a good thing.

Even during the underwater scene, I was more confident that Aladdin would survive because the dialogue had hinted at it. I didn't miss the snake-crush scene or the hourglass in the finale.

[disappearinginq]

Tag Game

Tag Game

I was tagged by both @amandagaelic and @waitingforthestarstofall

1. What was the last movie you watched in theaters? I think...either Little Women or Knives Out (for the second time). 

2. What’s your favorite game to play? One that I call Murder Mansion, but I think is actually called Betrayal at House on the Hill or one called Bang! - mostly because it was the most hilarious introduction to a game I have ever had where I got to play a trigger happy unlimited round packing Sheriff who everyone was trying to kill and my besties from the dawn of time were in fact my loyal deputies. 

3. Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla, if I must only pick between those two.

4. What’s the last show you binge-watched? Yellowstone or Locke & Key

5. Do you have any pets? Oh dear. Yes. Three cats, two horses, and three dogs (though technically I might own a third horse, who knows at this point?).  

6. What’s your favorite fairy tale? Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. 

7. Who’s your favorite superhero? Batman - not the one that they keep portraying as an abusive asshole like Howard Stark, but the one who legit went to court to keep Jason Todd as his son and dipped out from being Batman and Bruce Wayne social obligations when Jason needed him and collected orphans and tried to make sure they wouldn’t turn out like him. 

8. Who’s you favorite Disney Princess? Pocahontas or Tiger Lily probably, though I was never really a fan of the princess movies. I liked Treasure Planet and Great Mouse Detective where there were zero romantic subplots or princesses. 

9. Where’s the first place you’re going to go after the social distancing is over? ALASKA. BECAUSE THAT WAS THE PLAN BEFORE THIS HYAH! SHITSHOW! 

10. Cookies or Cake? Cookies. I am weirdly not a fan of cake. 

+ 10 questions from @teenwolf-theoriginals:

1. which show could you watch over and over? Lucifer, Daredevil (and add-ons), Republic of Doyle

2. favourite song lyric? " I choose my eyes wide open/And my heart half-broken every time/Over the gilded golden shackle/And the reassuring sentimental lie.”

3. favourite season of your favourite tv show? Lucifer season 4, Daredevil Season 1, and...whatever season ends with Jake Doyle getting kidnapped and locked unconscious in a shipping container bound for Mexico

4. what never fails to make you smile/happy? Cirque De Sewer videos on Facebook (ren fair comedy show with cats and rats and a former ballerina). 

5. how are you doing with all that’s going on in the world (virus, having to do social distancing, etc)? I feel really weird saying this, but the quarantine is working out freakishly well for me. My sister, who hasn’t lived nearby since 2010, came to visit for our mom’s 70th birthday just before the travel ban, so she’s been here for a little over 2 weeks now, which is the most I have seen her in 10 years. We live in a small town on a farm, so I have a lot to keep me busy outdoors without having to go to public outdoor places. My job is 100% capable of being 100% remote, we always buy from the warehouses when we have coupons so we have plenty of food and paper goods, we have puzzles out the wazoo to keep us busy when the weather is bad, we have a huge garden every year so if this keeps up we’ll have all our own food and eleventy billion movies and crochet projects, etc. I’m also a hella hermit normally, so this is not really all that new. Little mad I can’t go help a friend paint their house, but eh. Small price compared to a lot of others.  

6. we all love new music to listen to, name an artist that is underrated/you think people should check out? Janet Devlin. Irish/English folk singer I found on Spotify. 

7. tv show or movie? TV show. I love the level of character development that can happen when given the opportunity. 

8. favourite holiday? Thanksgiving. All the food. And less work than Fourth of July, because July means I get roped into directing the town parade and half a dozen other things because my parents get me to. 

9. a song that describes you? “Psycho” by Ava Max. 

10. describe your tumblr in three words? Themed = for chumps.

+5 questions from @macspaperclips

1. What is your favorite hobby? Crocheting, or writing

2. What is your favorite book? Or/and a really good book you’ve read recently? Six of Crows duology - a heist series that I got sucked into thanks to fan art and then finding out the main male lead can’t stand human touch and I was like SOLD. 

3. What is your favorite Ship that will never happen (Or hasn’t happened yet)? Not a shipper. I hate ships, because inevitably, ship wars ruin everything. And in some cases, really make me question sanity or mental health of some people. Said I didn’t like a female romantic lead, next thing I get is death threats, and I am totally the type to back track a URL, hunt you down in the real world, and brain you with a hammer. It’s not good for my anger management. 

4. If you could spend the day with any living celebrity, who would it be?  Harrison Ford, because it would be on his ranch in Jackson Hole. 

5. The best worst movie you’ve ever seen. A movie that you know objectively is trash but you can’t help but really enjoy it. The new Robin Hood with Taron Edgerton, or the Four Musketeers.

My questions (answer these if you’re tagged, then come up with some questions of your own, and then tag people):

1) What is your MBTI and/or Enneagram Number? MBTI - I had to look this up - INFJ or ENFJ, depending on how you want to interpret that first letter. 

2) What TV episode is your all-time favorite? The Hay Burner on Bonanza, 

3) What does happiness mean to you? Lack of desire

and tagged on because I was in fact tagged by two people @amandagaelicquestions: 

1) If you’re a fic writer, do you reply to every review? And if so, how long do you wait? I have only recently started getting over my weird phobia of responding to reviews (I also am rather new to AO3 and it was a little hard or impossible to do in FFN.net), so some stories in the smaller fandoms like Magnum, I have tried to respond to all of them, and it takes anywhere from a day to a month, but in Lucifer...oh dear. It’s daunting, and I keep freaking out because I haven’t finished the behemoth that is Damnatio despite it being years, so I don’t want to respond back to everyone saying “I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN I AM FINISHING THIS” in between severe writers’ block. 

2) What color Starburst is the best? Of the original? Pink. Of the options of outward packaging? Blue. 

3) Skittles or M&Ms? M&M’s

4) If you were to learn any new language, which one would you choose and why? Bold of you to assume I would learn only one. I am actually taking...four lessons through Duolingo? Irish, Welsh, Spanish, and Hawaiian (Was learning Navajo, but I made it to food and WTF....nope, kicked my ass). 

My questions: 

If you could be anything else, what would you be? 

If you’re a fic writer, what would you guilty pleasure fic idea that you won’t write because you don’t think anyone else would read it?

Is there something you wish you knew more about, and if so, what is it?

tagging: @dragonnan, @rohanrider3, @sofasurf, @buckky, @ariaadagio, @get-whumped, @itsjustdg 

If you’re busy or otherwise not feeling it - as always, feel free not to play. If you weren’t tagged, I also mean you. You can come play too. 

[gibelwho]

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.

[princess-in-a-tower]

Sansa’s “Beauty and the Beast” Arc, Part 1

GRRM has drawn inspiration for ASoIaF from various other works of fiction as well as historical events. The Lord of the Rings and the War of the Roses are two prominent examples. Not far behind those two big ones though is another story, which happens to be one of the author’s favorites: Beauty and the Beast.

Sidenote 1: For those of you who have not watched the following two versions of Beauty and the Beast, I suggest you at least read their summaries before continuing reading this meta.

 La Belle et la Bête (1946)

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Beauty and the Beast is a fairytale that has heavily influenced Sansa’s arc. Many have commented on the Beauty and the Beast theme in Sansa’s arc before me, and yet no one to my knowledge actually took a step back to look at the bigger picture GRRM has painted. The picture which makes it clear that the outline of Sansa’s story, stripped to its bare bones, is following faithfully the one of Beauty in Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast.

Sidenote 2: Even though GRRM holds Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast in high esteem, I believe he is also critical of it to a degree and subverts the plot points he would like to “fix” (for whatever reason), while at the same time taking care to remain as faithful as possible to the original story. This of course is just my own observation while composing this meta, but GRRM’s own words support it, since he admitted:

Ruling is hard. This was maybe my answer to Tolkien, whom, as much as I admire him, I do quibble with. Lord of the Rings had a very medieval philosophy: that if the king was a good man, the land would prosper. We look at real history and it's not that simple.

George R.R. Martin: The Rolling Stone Interview, April 23, 2014

Sidenote 3: This meta series is in no way a shipping manifesto, but rather a critical in-depth analysis of the ASOIAF text in relation to Cocteau’s “Beauty and the Beast” adaptation. As a result it ended up being extremely critical of ships like Sansa x Sandor and Sansa x Tyrion , because they, in no way, parallel the dynamic between Beauty and the Beast, but rather juxtapose it, as will be demonstrated in the following parts of this meta series. If you like those ships and still decide to read on, please remember that you have been warned.

In the very beginning of her story in AGOT it would have been impossible to guess Sansa would become asoiaf’s most prominent “Beauty” figure, mainly due to the fact that GRRM went to great pains to present her like an “evil step-sister” to Arya’s “heroine”.

When we are introduced to Sansa in Arya’s first POV chapter, and even later in her own first POV chapter, on a surface level she comes off as bratty, spoilt, superficial and snobbish. In other words, she is presented to us in a way that makes her look similar to Beauty’s step-sisters:

Beauty lives in the country with her father, a 17th-century merchant who has lost all his money; her brother, Ludovic, whose only interests are drinking and gambling; and her two sisters, Felicie and Adelaide, who are motivated entirely by spite, selfishness and vanity.

La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast) script

Not only that, but it can be argued that Sansa was Ned’s least favorite daughter with Arya as his favorite (proof of that can be found in the following series of metas: Ned, Sansa and Joffrey Part I, Part II, Part III) and it’s not a secret that Sansa looked forward to leaving her father and his protection for that of her husband’s. All of that links Sansa to Felicie and Adelaide and Arya to Beauty, as you can see in the following quotes:

BEAUTY: That wasn't the first time [Avenant has] asked me to marry him since we lost all our money.

THE MERCHANT (to Beauty): So you want to leave me.

BEAUTY: No, father, I'll never leave you.

[…]

THE MERCHANT: They're real little devils, aren’t they? Let them sulk; I'll soon console them. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the port to see to my business. Then one can marry a duke and the other a prince!

La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast) script

Another interesting scene is when Sansa wishes to join the queen in the royal wheelhouse, and Arya chooses to get her hands dirty instead:

"You better put on something pretty," Sansa told her. "Septa Mordane said so. We're traveling in the queen's wheelhouse with Princess Myrcella today."

"I'm not," Arya said, trying to brush a tangle out of Nymeria's matted grey fur. "Mycah and I are going to ride upstream and look for rubies at the ford."

A Game of Thrones - Sansa I

This echoes how Adelaide and Felicie wanted to attend the concert at the duchess’ court in the beginning of the film, while Beauty stays back and does chores around the house.

FELICIE(shouting): Beauty, you can wash the floor. We'll be late for the duchess.

La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast) script

The parallel here is anything but perfect, considering Sansa genuinely wanted Arya to join her in the royal wheelhouse and repeatedly tried to convince her to do so, unlike Beauty’s sisters, who wanted her to be their servant. That is because, as I said above, GRRM made both Sansa and Arya a mix of Beauty and her two “evil” sisters.

What actually makes the above parallel interesting and layered is exactly this mixing. Once you consider that it was Beauty and Sansa who chose to stay back and do what was right/expected of them (which are two vastly different things for each girl because Beauty is a commoner and Sansa is a noble maiden), while Arya and Beauty’s sisters decided to run off and do something more or less selfish for their own pleasure (which again are two anti-diametrical things for the same reason as above).

To wrap up this parallel between Sansa and Beauty’s sister, we see that she never got to ride with the queen:

“Sansa, the good councilors and I must speak together until the king returns with your father. I fear we shall have to postpone your day with Myrcella. Please give your sweet sister my apologies. Joffrey, perhaps you would be so kind as to entertain our guest today.”  

A Game of Thrones - Sansa I

Just like Felicie and Adelaide never got to attend the concert

FELICIE: We were told that the duchess was not receiving, though the court rang with laughter and music.

La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast) script

Another thing that makes the connection between Sansa and Beauty more pronounced is the introduction of an “Avenant” figure, who is of course Joffrey: the blonde, dashing suitor with a not so hidden affinity for violence and an all around terrible character, with whom Sansa got to spend a whole lot of alone time in her first chapter. Unlike Beauty though, Sansa (and her father) accepts his marriage proposal and delights in spending time with him.

As we can see, by the end of Sansa’s first chapter, GRRM has established both similarities and differences between Sansa and Beauty. In my opinion GRRM decided to keep the core of Beauty’s character intact in Sansa (dutiful, kind, gentle, protective and romantic) and make her work towards the rest. That was accomplished by giving her some “undesirable” traits shared by Beauty’s sisters, which she would shed in later books through her negative experiences that would in turn result in positive character development.

From here on things only get more complicated, because, as I mentioned in the beginning, GRRM liberally subverts the things he disagrees with in Cocteau’s story. Not only that, but he uses a plethora of characters as stand-ins for Sansa’s “Beast” to move the story forward, all of them his foils in different ways each.

They all have one thing in common though, which establishes them as the Beast’s foils: They don’t care about Sansa’s consent. And the fact that men like Sandor Clegane and Tyrion Lannister could have taken more from Sansa but didn’t in the end, doesn't undo the abuse or lack of agency that Sansa suffers in those situations they put her into.

The most powerful force in Beauty and the Beast isn't magic, or even love, but consent. Most retellings of Villeneuve's version are careful to keep it. The Beast is clear that Beauty must know what she's getting into. (In Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch's 1910 version, it's still more explicit: The Beast warns Beauty's father to "be honest with your daughter. Describe me to her just as I am. Let her be free to choose whether she will come or no...") Later, the Beast asks Beauty herself if she comes willingly. And that first dinner is marked by the Beast's deference to her wishes. Beauty's earliest surprise is how much power she wields. Even in his nightly request that Beauty marry him, he defers. Andrew Lang emphasized the power dynamics in 1889's Blue Fairy Book:

"Oh! What shall I say?" cried Beauty, for she was afraid to make the Beast angry by refusing.

"Say 'yes' or 'no' without fear," he replied.

"Oh! No, Beast," said Beauty hastily

"Since you will not, good-night, Beauty," he said.

And she answered, "Good-night, Beast," very glad to find that her refusal had not provoked him.

Lang was one of many who used marriage proposals for the nightly request (Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont's 1756 retelling was the first), but Villeneuve was under no illusions about the story's undertones. In her original, Beast asks Beauty to sleep with him. Beauty's power is the ability to withhold sexual consent.

Beauty doesn't admit love for the Beast until after he releases her (which permits her to rejoin him on her own terms). But this regard for her will is what first softens Beauty's heart. The story's not just reminding young women to look beyond appearance but reminding young men how to conduct themselves. Fairy-tale scholar Jack Zipes outlines the story's social mandate in Fairy Tales and the Art of Subversion: "The mark of beauty for a female is to be found in her submission, obedience, humility, industry, and patience; the mark of manliness is to be found in a man's self-control, politeness, reason, and perseverance."

Disney takes that out, and the story becomes significantly darker. Besides their rocky introduction, he punishes her for refusing to eat with him ("If she doesn't eat with me," he bellows, "then she doesn't eat at all!") and physically threatens her. His temper must be tamed before he can love or be loved—that, not his appearance, is the barrier. It's a decided departure from the courtly Beast, and Beauty's now required to forgive his outbursts before friendship can begin—an additional emotional burden. In this, Disney's more akin to 1978 Czech horror Panna a netvor (in which the Beast barely curbs his appetites and Beauty's drawn to him only through loneliness) than it is to the dreamlike tension of Jean Cocteau.

[...]

But Disney's retelling doesn't acknowledge its darkness. Covering threats with musical numbers doesn't count as exploration of subtext. This wasn't the first Beauty and the Beast adaptation to feature a Beast with rough edges, either; a story centered on power dynamics in relationships will shift to include contemporary concerns. But Disney's retelling asks Beauty to forgive abusive behavior, both ignoring the sovereignty of her consent and erasing the Beast's own obligations. And it's such an influential retelling, it's affected how the archetype has applied. By now, the label of a Beauty and the Beast story applies as much to a relationship in which the woman's love "tames" the man as it does to one about looking beyond appearances. (The CW's recent Beauty and the Beast updated the 1987 series(*) but replaced the scholarly, leonine hero with a handsome man with uncontrollable bursts of violent anger; these abusive undertones are the new beastliness. These days, Beauty is trapped in the Beast's S&M penthouse, and his understanding of consent is decidedly murky.)

How Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' Became the Darkest Tale of All

(*) The 1987 series with the scholarly leonine hero mentioned above is the CBS TV adaptation, which was written amongst others by GRRM himself.

The above article was written in order to criticize the dark retelling of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, but I believe that everything that has been said there about Disney’s version could also be said for Sansa’s “Beauty and the Beast” arc in ASOIAF up until ASOS. And everything that’s been written about the audience’s faulty perception of the archetype can be applied to the readers of ASOIAF as well.

Beauty’s consent is of paramount importance in the original Beauty and the Beast fairytale written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villenueve, which is something both Cocteau’s film and the CBS TV adaptation stayed true to. And yet, the men who took on the Beast’s role in Sansa’s storyline showed minimal to no respect towards her wishes and an equal amount of concern for her lack of consent. On the contrary, they all used and abused her, each of them in their own way, behaving more like villains than romantic interests. And that is because those men serving as the Beast’s foils are meant to be viewed as villains and not romantic interests, which can be supported by the words of the author himself:

Amazon.com: Do you have a favorite character?

Martin: I've got to admit I kind of like Tyrion Lannister. He's the villain of course, but hey, there's nothing like a good villain.

George RR Martin, Amazon.com, 1999

Martin: I am sometimes surprised by the reactions of women in particular to some of the villains. [unintelligible] Over the years who have written me that their favorite characters are Jaime Lannister, or Sandor Clegane the Hound, or Theon Greyjoy, you know. All of these are deeply troubled individuals with some very dark sides who have done some very dark things.

George RR Martin, interview with Geek and Sundry, June 2012

Commenter 1: Oh please don't cast an old guy for the Hound, his scenes with Sansa are so romantic and erotic, I couldn't bear if it'd feel creepy all of a sudden. Well, that's me making demands. LOL

Martin: Old guy? No, but... the Hound is still a whole lot older than Sansa, and was never written as attractive... you know, those hideous burns and all that... he's a lot more dangerous than he is romantic.

[...]

Commenter 2: LOL, you're such a man. To many of us women, dangerous *is* attractive.

Martin: But no one has any love for poor old Sam Tarly, kind and smart and decent and devoted…

Comments on GRRM’s Not A Blog, August 2009

But why would GRRM decide to change his Beast from the kind and decent Beast archetype into the obviously much more problematic and villainous new one when he started writing AGOT in 1991, just one year after the CBS TV adaptation ended? Considering that 1991 was the year Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” came out and that one of GRRM’s favorite movies is Cocteau’s “Beauty and the Beast”, I believe it’s not that far-fetched to assume this change can be attributed to the author’s discontent with Disney’s adaptation.

In my opinion, the subversion of the “Beauty and the Beast” trope in Sansa’s arc is the author’s in-text critique of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”. By having the Beast figures in Sansa’s arc be dark, abusive and villainous, GRRM wished to showcase how the new “Beauty and the Beast” trope, where Beauty is required to forgive the Beast’s abusive behavior and “tame” him with her gentleness, should not be romanticized, because, in real life, Beauty not only won’t be able to tame the Beast, but she also shouldn’t be required to.

So in away, I believe he is deconstructing this very dark and problematic version of the trope in order to reinvent the original one. And for the deconstruction part he needs foils, but for the reconstruction he needs the actual Beast. And there are foils of the Beast aplenty in ASOIAF, but only one Beast.

The first foil of the Beast will be discussed in the second part of this meta series.

Special thanks to @kellyvela and @lostlittlesatellites for their help in the writing of this meta with their invaluable input and constant support.

EDIT: The rest of the series can be found in the following links part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

[scrawnydutchman]

Disney and Feminism

*MINOR DISNEY MOVIE SPOILERS AHEAD*

Disney has undeniably been striking a massive chord with audiences of every generation since the early 20th century and for good reason. Their movies are touching, easily accessible, identifiable, masterfully handcrafted fun for all ages. Even the worst Disney films (that aren’t straight to DVD sequels) have a sense of raw concentrated enchantment that has been keeping the company afloat since it’s inception. But recently I’ve noticed that more so than any other demographic, Disney movies, ESPECIALLY of the Disney princess variety, have been striking a chord with the third wave feminist movement. It should really come to no surprise; Disney essentially built it’s empire off of making enchanting entertainment for little girls especially. The first animated feature ever made is Snow White for crying out loud. But usually the appeal of Disney films among feminists goes one of two ways: they either praise the ever loving hell out of these films and constantly produce fanart of classic Disney characters wearing urban apparel . . . or they despise these movies because they see sinister undertones beneath all the enchantment. I once dated a girl who hated all Disney princess films because in her mind they were always about entitled girls wanting more out of their luxury ridden life than what they’ve been given, directly cause conflict and then get what they want in the end. While I don’t believe it’s nearly as cut and dry as that . . . I do think she has a point.

In response to these critiques of old Disney movie cliches, the Disney films of recent years have been making noticeable shifts in their theming to accommodate for their most profitable demographic besides children and these changes have been pretty successful in terms of winning over the affection of their fans. Frozen is now the highest grossing animated film of all time, beating the long raining champ The Lion King. Zootopia received huge critical praise for it’s underlying commentary on prejudice in modern society. In fact, the whole reason I started up this article was because a couple of days ago when I was in a doodling club talking about Disney movies a member of the club said her favorite Disney film was Moana because it was the “most feminist”.

But while I think all of these films are certainly enjoyable, I have to ask . . . are they really as empowering towards women as they are given credit for? Moana especially troubles me for this reason. At first glance it seems like a great Disney movie where an ambitious wide eyed young woman goes on this adventure to discover her true destiny and save her island, and ultimately saves the day by showing compassion to the antagonist of the film. That’s all well and good, except for two major problems . . . 

1. She didn’t really choose to do any of this of her own volition.

Yes I know, you could argue there’s a whole subplot of her wanting to explore in spite of her father, but really the only justification she gets to finally do it is that she has to fulfill a destiny. The plot doesn’t involve her because she insists that she must be involved, the plot involves her via “chosen one” narrative, where the water chooses Moana to resolve the issues Maui caused. And then from there she’s essentially strung along the ride because she doesn’t know any better by herself in order to make things happen of her own volition. She doesn’t know how to sail or where to go or what to do unless somebody tells her. Grandmother says go see Maui, Maui says go to the monster world to find his hook, Moana is on the verge of giving up until grandma comes in for a pep talk. The only reason she does anything in this story is because other people said so. There are only 3 exceptions to this rule: the part where she tricks Tomatoa (which only happened because she followed Maui’s plan and she would have died sooner if Maui didn’t intervene, more on that later). Second is when she and Maui fight the little coconut pirates (which really I have no qualms with: she was pretty badass there). The last part is the finale, which honestly never needed to happen because there was absolutely nothing stopping the water from bringing the stone to Te Fiti itself. Speaking of . . 

2. Moana gets her ass saved all the time, ESPECIALLY by the water.

*tangent: the water in this movie is effing gorgeous*

When you really think about it, what was stopping the water from just taking the heart back to Te Fiti itself? Maui points this out in the movie and Moana doesn’t even have an argument for it. The water doesn’t need Moana; if anything, Moana was just a hindrance to the plan. She couldn’t get to Maui’s island by herself; the ocean had to drift her unconscious body there. She couldn’t convince Maui to come with her; the ocean had to make it impossible for him to refuse. Had the ocean not been there, Maui would have totally gotten away with her boat. She’s been protected from certain death by incoming projectiles by both Maui AND the ocean a number of times throughout the movie. She was on the verge of giving up until her Grandma showed up and her Grandma outright admitted that maybe she was asking too much of her. Moana’s only real stake in this besides her island dying is that she wants to reunite her people with their voyager heritage which . . . why does the ocean give a shit? She doesn’t even convince Maui to come back after their little fight; he just decides to come back off screen and it’s never really specified what convinced him to do so. Matter of fact his Jiminy Cricket tattoo does more to convince him to act morally than Moana does.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Moana almost never makes shit happen in this movie; 90% of it is just shit happening with Moana in the crossfire. If not for powerful forces favoring her she would have never even made it to Maui’s Island. Is that really empowering? Is this a protagonist little girls can really look up to?

Other Disney movies of recent years have either had similar problems or the same problem to a lesser extent. Frozen is often praised for breaking women stereotypes in fiction but honestly I think it rides it’s success by pandering to said stereotypes harder than any Disney film of it’s era.

Zootopia is a movie all about a woman-allegory bunny cop Judy Hopps proving she can solve the biggest mystery plaguing the city and the whole film takes you on this “whodunnit” plotline that completely defeats the purpose of a mystery when the answer to the problem just magically lands on Judy’s lap and essentially just rewards her for giving up.

Granted a lot of these problems have happened to male Disney protagonists in the past as well, but if the point is to create more empowered women in media than I have to ask; why is it any solution to have these main characters that are essentially strung along by major contrivances that ruin the point that the movie was trying to prove?

You know what would be great? A movie about a female protagonist who tries to adhere to cultural sensibilities at first, fails because it’s just not who she is, actively decides to do something about her conflict through noone’s volition but her own and for the sake of somebody close to her rather than herself, even goes as far as exposes the bullshit expectation towards the OTHER gender and resolves whatever crisis is going on shearly by her own wit and through being herself? Yeah, I can’t wait for a Disney movie like that. Oh, wait . . . I don’t need to. It exists and it’s fucking called MULAN!!!!

This movie is so often glanced over and dismissed when it comes to the Disney movie-feminism discussion and I honestly don’t get why. I consider this the PERFECT feminist Disney movie. This film is in my top 3 favorite Disney films of all time (the other two being Emperor’s New Groove and Hunchback of Notre Dame). Mulan is not only the best female protagonist Disney has ever had, but is arguably the best they’ve ever had period. She has NONE of the problems I listed above. Rather than try to prove a point about womens strength, she only cares about protecting who she loves and quickly puts her own woes aside because that’s how unselfish she is. She’s not a “chosen one”, she doesn’t go out to fulfill any kind of destiny. She goes on her adventure because she is determined to do what it takes to protect what she loves, even if she has to die for it. She doesn’t save the day via deus ex machina: BOTH times she defeats Shan Yu it’s a result of her own cunning and cleverness in how she uses the things around her that she’s had the whole time (side note: her cleverness as well as other positive qualities is demonstrated in the first song of the movie when she passes a checkers game on her way to her inspection). She is a no nonsense, determined, motivated badass who gets stronger by her own determination and ends up saving all of China by being herself. She also helps her guy friends get more in touch with their feminine side by the end of the movie and proves her strength in spite of all the dudes who see women as inferior. She technically has a guide character in Mushu, but . . . let’s be honest, Mushu is more of a hindrance than a help up until the climax. 

Mulan gets shit done and she PROVES her worth. She isn’t told what to do. She isn’t helped unless she proves her qualities as a leader. She doesn’t survive through contrivance and she isn’t strung along her own story. SHE decides where it goes.

That’s what I call a feminist Disney movie!

[eyesaremosaics]

Feminist film recommendations?

Hmm interesting question anon. I will list some of my personal favorites (in no particular order) hopefully you enjoy them.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

I felt like there was fire in my veins walking out of the cinema. Not only is Charlize Theron’s Furiosa a total badass, but the best thing is that it’s not just her. To have such a range of women portrayed equally and beautifully was so uplifting. Women caring for each other, lifting each other and fighting hard for what is right. We need more of that, both in Hollywood and in life.

2. The color purple (1985)

Read this book in high school, about a sisterhood of women, all standing together against the racism and sexism that they face and somehow coming out on top. It’s an inspiring story of women coming together in the face of adversity.

3. Gone With the Wind (1939)

Scarlett was the most coveted female film role of all time. Despite the films obvious flaws as a result of the time period in which it was made, overall this is a feminist parable. Scarlett is above all else–a survivor. She never gives up, digs her heels in, rolls up her sleeves and does it. She faces adversity with admirable courage. Despite the fact that she is a terribly flawed human being, you can relate to her. She sets her mind to something and she does it, whether it’s dragging her family out of poverty or eating as much BBQ food as she damn well likes. Her flaws make her human, which adds richness to the overall story. Scarlett has inspired me to persevere at the darkest of times. When all hope seems lost, “tomorrow is another day.”

4. Erin Brockovich (2000)

I love Julia Roberts, and this movie stands out as one of her best in my opinion. A single mother, fallen on hard times, but somehow holding everything together. Making the best of a bad situation, an eternal realist. Portraying a woman as much more than she appears. She uncovers some dark secrets (chemicals leaked into the sewer systems) which led an entire community to develop terminal illness. She works tirelessly to expose those responsible and find justice for those who can’t help themselves. My favorite line is when this bitchy secretary says: “maybe we got off on the wrong foot here.”“Yeah lady because that’s all you got, two wrong feet and fucking ugly shoes.” Bahahaha

5. Suffragette (2015)

Tells the story of the women’s right movement at the turn of the last century. It taught me to stand up for myself, and for women everywhere. Very proud to have that as a part of our history. Incredibly grateful to all the women who fought tirelessly, endured persecution, humiliation, incarceration to ensure my right to vote.

6. Pocahontas (1995)

Pocahontas is VERY loosely based on the true story. Disney took a lot of liberties here which mask the horror of early American history and its impact on the native Americans. HOWEVER, what I like about her characterization in this film… Is that she was strong, rebellious, bold, adventurous, and wise. She went wherever the wind took her, a true free spirit. She was graceful, and kind in ways other Disney princesses were not. The purity of her heart and the message she had to bring, stopped a war. She is a warrior, but not one that fights with weapons, she fights with love. In the end she chose herself and her duty to her people over a man. I wanted to be just like her when I was a little girl watching this in the theater, and she still inspires me today, nearly 20 years later.

7. Fried green tomatoes (1992)

I watched this film when I was in high school, with low expectations and was very surprised to discover how moved I was. A story of two women, finding empowerment within oneself. The main character listens to a story from an elderly woman and learns how to love herself. I believe it’s important to encourage other women and learn from each other.

8. Obvious child (2014)

Jenny Slate’s character has an abortion after a one night stand with a guy she actually really likes. However, she knows she isn’t prepared for it and chooses to terminate the pregnancy. There’s great friendship and family in the film and it really helps to destigmatise abortion.

9. Wild (2014)

The book is arguably better, but the film is worth watching. A woman goes out and hikes one of the worlds longest trails, on a mission to find herself and to prove that she can finish what she starts. Finding herself on the elements, and getting clarity. Very freeing and inspiring.

10. Kill Bill 1 & 2 (2003)

Uma Thurman is a boss, and everyone knows it. She is so vice tally connected to her inner life as an actress, always enjoy watching her. These films are what she is most known for nowadays, and for good reason. It’s a story of revenge. A woman is almost murdered by the man she loved, pregnant with his child. Wakes up in a hospital, having been in a coma for years. Suffered all kinds of indignities, she willed herself to walk again. Dragged herself by her fingernails until she could rise up, strengthen her skills as a warrior, and set out to settle old scores. She takes each person down one by one, yet you still find the humanity behind each character and the reasons why they did what they did and became who they were. It’s about survival, perseverance, and ultimately in the end–forgiveness. Leaving the past behind, to start over again.

11. She’s beautiful when she’s angry (2014)

It’s a documentary about the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s, with interviews with many of the women who were part of it. Sure, it makes you angry to see injustice, but it’s also highly uplifting to see what these women did, and how it paved the way for equality forty to fifty years later. These women were, and still are, amazing figures who haven’t stopped fighting.

12. How to make an American quilt

A group of older women reflecting on their lives around a quilting table. Each of their stories are so inspiring, and the way they all come together to heal from their traumas is very powerful. Winona Ryder’s character (Finn) is experiencing a late twenties crisis of identity, and is unsure about wether or not to get married to her long term fiancée. Listening to the lives of all these women helps bring perspective and clarity to her. Life is never black and white, life is like a quilt. You build as you go along.

13. Frida

This Selma Hayek-fronted, Academy Award-winning biopic of the feminist icon portrays the artist in a whole new light. It’s amazing to watch the story of any incredible historic figure succeed against the odds, but double if said figure is also a woman and shot so beautifully by Julie Taymor.

14. The hours (2002)

This film follows three women as their lives weave in and around the narrative of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. The multi-generational movie shows how people are connected through time by similar angst, anxieties, and personal struggles.

15. The Stepford wives (1975)

What happens to women when things are too perfect? The answer might make their husbands happy, but the truth behind what is happening in this ideal-seeming suburb is nothing short of horrifying.

16. Miss Representation (2011)

A documentary on the way women are treated and portrayed in the media, this film broke open the truth behind the images women and young girls are force fed on a daily basis. Start your watching here, if you can, and then continue on to these other films to see how much has and hasn’t changed.

17. North Country (2005)

A fictionalized account of the first majorly successful sexual harassment case in the United States, this film follows the female miners who fought for their right to work without suffering the abuse their male coworkers heaped on them because of their gender.

18. The Headless Woman, Lucrecia Martel

New Argentine Cinema figure Lucrecia Martel draws connections to the country’s dark political/class struggles, transposing its “disappeared” from the mid-to-late ‘70s into a sedate, challenging story about a woman’s fractured state following a fatal accident and its ensuing cover-up.

18. Princess Mononoke, Hayao Miyazaki

A thread of feminism weaves itself through the work of Hayao Miyazaki. Perhaps his most mature film, Princess Mononoke features a memorable and tenacious heroine, San, who subverts feminine stereotypes and is written without the fanciful quirks commonly found in animation. She is serious and single minded. Grounded to the earth, living in the moment. She is totally present, and pure. Even her rage comes from a pure unadulterated place. Wolf-goddess character Moro deserves attention as an unlikely mother figure that is fierce and, well, totally pissed off (you would be too if people were destroying your home), but also wise and nurturing. Fighting for what’s right, against impossible odds. Being humbled by nature, the ultimate female reclamation. So many layers in this film.

19. Dogfight, Nancy Savoca

A rare film set during the Vietnam War and told from the perspective of a woman, Nancy Savoca’s Dogfight reveals a different kind of cruelty people inflict upon one another, off the battlefield — in this case, a group of misogynistic Marines using women in a contest of looks. Lili Taylor’s peace-loving Rose, who becomes one of the targets in this game, soon realizes she’s being courted by River Phoenix’s Eddie for the wrong reasons — though his guilt and seemingly genuine interest in Rose is apparent. Rose confronts Eddie about the game, defending the honor of all women involved, which winds up bringing them closer together.

20. Alien, Ridley Scott

She’s not a sidekick, arm candy, or a damsel to be rescued. She isn’t a fantasy version of a woman. The character is strong enough to survive multiple screenwriters. She was lucky enough to be played by Sigourney Weaver,” said Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America President John Scalzi of Ellen Ripley from 1979’s Alien. Defying genre cinema’s gender clichés (she is gender neutral, really) as the clear-minded, intelligent, and capable officer of the ship Nostromo, Ripley is more resourceful than the men who employ her and steps in to take over when all hell breaks loose.

21. Orlando, Sally Potter

Our own Judy Berman recently highlighted Tilda Swinton’s performance in Potter’s adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s satirical text that explores gender and artistic subjectivity, a project that was ambitious in both form and content:

“Although it’s far more straightforward a narrative than most of her work, Virginia Woolf’s Orlando still presents one major challenge for the big screen: its protagonist is a nobleman in Elizabethan England who lives a life that spans centuries, and is suddenly transformed into a woman midway through it. Tilda Swinton may be the only (allegedly) human actor equipped to play the role of such a regal, mysterious androgyne, and her performance in this adaptation — also a breakthrough for director Sally Potter — became her signature.”

22. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Jacques Demy

Celebrated for its vivid milieu, Jacques Demy’s sensitively characterized film is a superior look at an independent woman (Catherine Deneuve) in a romantic narrative who makes difficult choices about marriage, children, and survival that sometimes leave her alone — but she is never lonely because of that.

23. Daisies, Vera Chytilová

The young women in Vera Chytilová’s Czech New Wave farce “construct fluid identities for themselves, keenly aware of their sexuality, toying with the men who pursue them. It’s an exhilarating, surreal, anarchic experiment, framed by the turbulent 1960s.

24. Daughters of the Dust, Julie Dash

Julie Dash directed the first feature film by an African-American woman distributed theatrically in the United States in 1991 — a stunningly captured look at three generations of Gullah women off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia in 1902.

25. Meshes of the Afternoon, Maya Deren

The bar for avant-garde female filmmaking, born from personal experiences and anxieties. Maya Deren’s 1943 experimental classic builds its interior female perspective and constructs of selfhood through dreamlike imagery.

26. The Passion of Joan of Arc, Carl Theodor Dreyer

Critic Jonathan Rosenbaum on Carl Theodor Dreyer’s crowning achievement, released in 1928, that still painfully echoes contemporary cases of female oppression — the film’s silent context taking on an unintentional resonance:

“Carl Dreyer’s last silent, the greatest of all Joan of Arc films… . Joan is played by stage actress Renee Falconetti, and though hers is one of the key performances in the history of movies, she never made another film. (Antonin Artaud also appears in a memorable cameo.) Dreyer’s radical approach to constructing space and the slow intensity of his mobile style make this ‘difficult’ in the sense that, like all the greatest films, it reinvents the world from the ground up. It’s also painful in a way that all Dreyer’s tragedies are, but it will continue to live long after most commercial movies have vanished from memory.”

[looney-mooney]

Hi, I'm aware that this is your reblog blog (weird grammar thing, huh?) and we've never really.. talked. Anyway, I bring chain mail (cause you're one of my favorite followers). Say five things you like about yourself and send it to ten of your favorite followers.

Oh jeez um… IDK I like a lot of things about myself! But if I had to choose, I guess…1) my crazy imagination! It comes up with the weirdest stuff it’s so cool!2) the voices in my head that pop up from time to time that encourage me to move forward and never give up and remind me I’m amazing? They’re really just different parts of my own mind, kinda like how I imagine being a healthy fusion would be? But they’re still pretty great3) how my physical form pretty much perfectly suits the person I am inside like I have Disney princess eyes and disney villain eyebrows and ginromous sasquach feet and I am TOL and STRONG and flexible and I’m like a clumsy ballerina & it’s really fun4) my energy! I like never run out of energy and enthusiasm, I could walk for miles and still keep going, I can run like the wind and dance like nobody’s watching, I can stand for hours on end and still have a grin on my face and a spring in my step at the end of the day, I can work on the same exact project for days and still come back at it with the same determination the next day, it pretty much takes months of constant labor to ever actually exhausted me and I love it. The only time I’ve ever actually been exhausted was the last week of community college before graduation, where I took 6 work-intensive courses in the same semester and had spent the previous month working on a stopmotion project, and was crashing from the adrenaline high from that JUST as I needed it most. I had to do half a semester of coursework, 4 finals, an interview, a gallery presentation, and ANOTHER stopmotion project, AND my dad’s birthday party in a mere 7 days. And I still freaking did it all. And it only took me like, a week to recover from all that.5) my ability to recover. As someone with ADHD and SOMETHING else that makes it impossible for me to pick up on social cues, I mess up. A LOT. but I always recover phenomenally. Call me weird, I take it as a compliment. Looney Mooney was a hurtful nickname, but I reclaimed it as my studio title, and now I wear it with pride. Push me down and I spring back up, forgot my notes but I still give the most memorable presentation, I go off on a tangent but eventually bring it back around to make a connection that opens everyone’s eyes, you try to interrupt me but that won’t mess me up, I’ll just keep on going. I don’t let my mistakes stop me. I won’t let others bully me. I’m so used to screwing up and learning and moving on that I don’t even feel self-doubt anymore. I make a lot of mistakes, but it’s the way I fix them that defines who I am.

[donotthinkasasunflower]

An unnecessary deep look at the representation of women according to Disney

Hey there! Welcome to my first post ever! 

I have been thinking how to start my brand new blog for days, I had numerous different topics noted down, but I wanted one that I really like. My first thought was to write about ‘’13 reasons why’’ and why I don’t like it, however I felt that talking about Disney was better.

I love Disney, I have seen all its classics. To be honest, everybody knows about Disney and its line of princesses. Who hasn’t seen a Disney princess movie? Oh well, I know someone! My boyfriend, he has seen HSM and that’s it. Anyways, I was inspired to make this topic after I readmy first project I did in college. It was about how femininity and women's representation in Disney films have changedthroughout the years. I even made a timeline!

I enjoyed writing it so much that I wanted to share it. Obviously, it's not going to be the exact same I am going to add more information (and GIFs) that I wanted to talk about but I didn’t.

So let’s get started!

Disney has been in everybody’s houses since 1923, it has created the most famous cartoon films for decades. Disney has to thank mass media due to the fact that it has helped to spread the values and messages of the films, some of them with unmasked goals and values. The official princess line is formed by 14 different princesses (however, I am going to talk about one more) which starts with Snow White and ends with Moana. Each of them are inspired by tales or real life events. Obviously the different year which the movies were made affects the values of them, so I am going to analyze those values in chronological order.

1. Snow White

We are in 1937, a pretty normal year that started on a Friday. The 21 of December Snow White was premiered, it was the first full-length animation movie made by Walt Disney.

During the 30′s women had less job opportunities than normal, due to the market crash. Jobs were preferably given to men, and women were always seen portraying a domestic role. Women usually stayed at home cooking, cleaning and taking care of their loved ones. Doesn't it ring a bell to you? Yeah, that’s right, really similar to the life of Snow White.

So we all know how the story goes. She runs away, founds some house in the middle of the woods, which is owned by seven dwarfs who let her stay if she cleans, cooks and takes care of them. We can see how the role that women were given is represented in the movie as the behavior follow. This is not the only time we are going to see that the roles that are given to women are portrayed in a Disney movie. It’s just a way of telling women of a period of time how they should behave.

The dominant value of the movie is the role of women, as we have seen. However, this value is unmasked by the value that Disney have always promoted: ‘’Real beauty is within us’’

2. Cinderella

1950, the war is over! Well, it has been for 5 years. Society needed women to go back to their ‘’normal role’’ since they replaced man in factories, mass media popularized the role of the superfemininity of women again.

Cinderella is held captive in her own house by her step-mother, the only way is out thanks to marrying the prince. In this movie we see the immense terror that the patriarchal society had about women being powerful enough to leave their cars. We can say that the evil stepmother is the patriarchy and Cinderella the women that are forced to follow a certain role.

Also, we cansee that the Cinderella doesn’t have any characteristic or trait that makes her unique. We can describe her as nice, pure, innocent and beautiful being. We do not see what angers her, what activities she loves doing etc... We see a cookie cutter version as how women should behave to be perfect for their husbands.

3. Aurora

Fun fact about me: I’ve always hated this movie. Anyways... 1959, during the 50′s there was a conformity with gender roles. A society based on consumerism that idealized the American dream. It seemed that that dream for women was to get married and have a family to take care of. Consumer culture and domesticity were spread by mass media in entertainment, magazines etc.... Movies like ‘’The sleeping beauty’’ promoted these ideas of marriage and family. A good example, it’s the song ‘’Once upon a dream’’. Basically the song explains how she has been dreaming of her perfect prince that loves her. It’s a way of inculcating what society wants for women.

Also, can we talk about how she doesn’t do anything during all the movie? It seems as if until she doesn't have a man she can't do anything... But this is just me, I really hate this movie.

4. Ariel

I think, what can define women during the 80′s is being entitled of themselves. Events like the movie 9 to 5, the song ‘’She bop’’ and women like Sally Ride proved that women could do things that usually men did.

With Ariel we can see how she breaks all those rules that were imposed on her. She wants to start living her life. Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel said something very interesting:

Quote: “You have to take in the perspective of where we were in 1989, the previous princess was Sleeping Beauty in 1959. There’s a big leap between Sleeping Beauty and Ariel. Ariel is stubborn, she’s strong willed, she lives outside of the box, she dreams big, she believes in the impossible, she’s tenacious, and that she's saving Eric from his death, dragging him up onto the beach, being defiant of her father, not fitting in the box like her sisters, being determined, makes Ariel a jumping off point for what we expect of today's Disney princesses” 

https://www.bustle.com/p/how-ariel-in-the-little-mermaid-led-to-far-more-feminist-princesses-like-mulan-merida-according-to-voice-actor-jodi-benson-15942919

There are many questionable moments in the movie like the song ‘’Kiss the girl’’ that argues consent, or that the feminist values are the ones of the villain. However, she fights sexism, what her father rules over her is not what she wants. What she really wants is to be part of Eric’s world, part of her world, where she rules over her.

4. Belle

The 90′s, what a difficult year. Women left aside the idea of having a family and getting married as young as possible to achieve higher education, have a job or pursue an identity outside their life.

Belle is an intelligent young girl, we can see how she wants to pursue her identity outside her small provincial town. Her journey to save her dad helps her to mature and find herself. 

According to P. Bourdieau the upper class had to have a high economic status and also a high cultural development. Belle was from a village part of the old middle class we can see this in the first scene of the movie where they sing of how strange is Belle because she reads a lot. Belle is from the new middle class, stated by Bourdieau, due to her high cultural development and because of marrying the king Adam (yeah that’s the beast's name).

Belle follows a similar pattern as The little mermaid, but also shows the main character having ambitious and changing her prince instead of the prince changing her however it repeats the happily married ending.

5. Jasmine 

Still in the 90′s. While researching information for the post I’ve come across something very interesting. Some articles talk about how women from the 90′s had power over themselves and others said how everything that they wanted to achieve was gone due to the over-sexualization of their own bodies by using very revealing clothes. Yep... so that’s a thing.

What sets apart Jasmine from the other princesses is that she is the first to reject marriage and as she contextually says ‘’I am not a prize to be won’’ here we can see one of the principle things that women during the 90′s are against, the sexualization and objectification of women. In these films we have the figure of Jafar, who is wildly stereotyped as the crypto-homo villain (using traits usually find in the lgtbq and drag community to show them as a bad thing or mock them) as well as Ursula, he wants to marry Jasmine but her power overcomes him.

Jasmine has power over her body to choose what she wants to do as women on the 90′s choose what they want to wear or do.

6. Pocahontas

1995.

Pocahontas is like a river, she changes, she grows. Pocahontas chose her destiny over what her father imposes her to do. She is a former believer that her destiny is going to surprise her and for that reason he refuses to submit to a stable life of a married woman in a home that protects her from the horrors of the outside world. 

When the tribe is about to start the battle against the invading English, she exposes her life to stop the confrontation. Her father understands at that moment that the young woman spoke with great wisdom, then, through reflection, they lower their weapons and prepare to make peace. Pocahontas is the one who brings us the moral that dialogue is for human beings the most valuable tool, and that true wealth is in a fraternity and respect for nature.

She is a fighter that not only has power over her body, but over her words and thoughts.

7. Mulan

Yet another 90′s film. Wow Disney was on fire. Mulan officially breaks the barriers of the patriarchal system, a system that oppressed women, she demonstrates that traits can be arbitrary and there is nothing as what women can act or what men should act. This is very similar as the theory of J. Butler, she states that thirst any relation between gender and sex so everybody is free to act however they want. She saves china twice.

8. Kida: No need for songs

New century new me. On 2001 Disney realized the movie ‘’Atlantis: The lost empire”. Kids are the first queen of color created by Disney (first princess was Jasmine). Kids are the forgotten queen of Disney. She’s intelligent, can speak various languages, knows how to fight. Very protective of her people, but is not afraid of asking for help.

Atlantis wasn’t very popular at the box office, the reason may be the lack of songs. It was Disney first movie without the musical numbers. Kids never joined the ranking of princesses (even if some of them aren’t technically princesses)

This movie shows the importance of woman, how they are capable of ruling a country. Atlantis needs Kida, they need a powerful woman.

9. Tiana

2009. By far one of my fave princesses.

Tiana, the princess that shows talent, and yes, this talent is cooking which is always related to women, but we can see how she wants to achieve goals and her dream of building a restaurant.

At a very young age, she shows her dislike for fairy tales, where a man saves her. With her we see how the idea of marriage is not in the mind of the following princesses. When she meets Naveen her dream evolves. During all the movie she’s almost there to accomplish her dreams, but, with him she understands it was she lacked. “My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it,”

10. Rapunzel

Wow! can we talk about that glow up? 2010 marks the first Disney movie without the traditional animation.

Rapunzel; she finds her happily married ending, but in a more casual way, as a consequence of her running away. What it’s also very interesting about her is how she uses an object related to women, the pan, and using it as a weapon.

11. Merida

The situation of Merida is very similar as Jasmine’s she is not a prize to be won in a competition and she smashes the gender barriers and starts behaving as what is associated with men.

12. Anna and Elsa

Elsa and Anna are the first princesses to show another love that it’s not a man/ woman, they show the importance of sisterhood and that true love can be in every way, shape and form.

13. Moana

Lastly Moana is a post-feminism, film, she doesn’t have to break the practical system because it doesn’t exist. A clear example is when she is coroneted the queen of her village. Moana is not presented as something that is an obstacle to the finish line, she has some insecurities but who hasn’t? And also it’s the first princess that doesn’t need a man. Something else to add it’s that she doesn’t follow the physical stereotypes of nowadays as the others do.

So yeah.... We can see how the more actual princesses behave similar to how women nowadays do, how the values of Disney princesses are changing throughout the years. As a society we change, and mass media also changes and tells us how to behave show in it on shows and movies. In the 1950 was ‘’we should be all the perfect wife’’ nowadays is ‘’we should be all feminist’’ at least that’s what we see on T-shirts.In conclusion, we can see how the goal of Disney is to entertain children around the world, but the unmasked goal is to show women how they should act according to their date so, these films, can be part of the socialization process of young girls. 

Thank you so much to make it along, it means a lot to me. I hope you found it interesting.

And remember, do not think as a sunflower!

Mic drop!

[wasabi-cupcakes]

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Namjoon x Reader)

Rating: General

Warnings: none

Categories: Pure Fluff/Romance/Slight Comedy

Summary: You started singing at the park to relive stress, you never thought anyone would hear you! And never in a million years did you think they would think you sounded good, comparing you to a princess even! But now here you were, having made a tradition out of coming to the park to sing for your tiny fanbase. You thought the children would be the only ones to hear you now, certainly no more listeners? Definitely no one attractive and your age. No way.

A/n: This work is apart of my princess series, each fic being based off of a Disney princess song~ 

1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Epilogue  

“Did you dream about your prince again?” Mijin’s voice brought you out of your thoughts. You were becoming increasingly more distracted as the week went on, but that wasn’t entirely your fault. You had a couple of…encounters to blame for that; you had boys on the mind… which was never a healthy thing. Hoseok could just pop in your life again at any moment, and Taehyung had actually texted you last night! However, you were a little too flabbergasted to actually respond. You knew you couldn’t leave him hanging forever though; you were never one to “play games” anyhow. You sighed and brought your full attention to Mijin.

“What was that sweetheart?”

“I said, ‘Did you dream about your prince again?’ I can tell your thinking about something!” Mijin was always pretty observant; only seven years old and she could read you like a book. 

You did a quick survey of the “crowd”; it was much smaller than usual today, which is why you decided to sit in a new spot today, just to try it out. You had led the children to a cute bench you had been eyeing for a while that was situated directly under two cherry blossom trees at the end of a small hill. It was just past the lake, and impossible to miss if anyone was headed to the butterfly garden…not like you were hoping to be found by anyone. Behind the hill sat the long stretch of trees that divided the park, making this area more secluded than the lake, but not quite as secluded as the butterfly garden (you didn’t have to draw anyone a map to get here!).

“No, I didn’t dream about that last night!” You waved your hands in front of your face, hoping to ease the embarrassment caused by being caught thinking about your “princes.”

“But you did dream about something right? Can you tell us?” Kinam spoke up and the others huddled closer for “story time.” 

It’s true, you did dream last night, but your dream was far more embarrassing than just dreaming about a silly prince! You had seen yourself standing on an immaculate stage, lights flashing from all directions as the crowd roared in delight. Donned head to toe in expensive jewelry and clothes, and a mic placed in front of you, you put on the performance of a lifetime. But that was just a dream; that wasn’t you. 

You were never one for large crowds and having all the attention on you, no matter how many times you wished you had to confidence to endure it. Perhaps that was the only reason you had never perused a music career; well that, and you were sure your singing was just okay, never to the standards it would have to be to be a professional. With these thoughts in mind, the last thing you wanted to do was tell the children what you dreamt of.

“Well yes, I did have a dream, but… I can’t tell you what it was about.” The children looked at you in confusion, before Jihae and Mijin yelled out at the same time.

“What?! Why not?” Jihae adding a pout for extra measure. You giggled in response, quickly coming up with an excuse.

“Cause if you tell a wish, it won’t come true!”

“A wish?”

“Yes, because a dream is...” suddenly you thought of a perfect way to distract the children from inquiring about your dream, “hold on, I have the perfect song for this~” Immediately all of the children’s faces lit up in excitement and you were glad that you had recently learned this song in Korean.

Namjoon had been coming to this park for years, even back during his trainee days. He didn’t get to visit it as often anymore because of how popular BTS had gotten, though he supposed that shouldn’t be any reason to complain. He loved how tucked away it was from society; usually in most parks, you would never be able to find a quiet area to read, write, or even put your thoughts together. But here there were so many places to choose from. His favorite spot, however, was in between the trees that separated the “adult” part of the park from the “children’s” part of the park. Particularly, the trees on the top of the hill, where he could get a good look at the lake and the cherry blossom trees below, was his absolute favorite. 

Finally having a break from touring and working on new material, he got a chance to visit his beloved park. Bringing with him a good book and a notepad (you never know when inspiration strikes), he headed to his usual area, the high sun in the sky reminding him it was only the early afternoon.

Hopefully I’ll be able to finish this book today then.

Namjoon settled in, resting his back on the trunk of his favorite tree, and crossed his legs, setting his book in his lap and adjusting his glasses before diving into the piece of literature. He didn’t know how much time had passed before he started to hear voices at the bottom of the hill. Too engrossed in his book however, he decided to ignore them and keep on reading, hoping he would not be disturbed. Eventually the voices became white noise, and Namjoon could ignore them completely, that is, until he heard…

“A dream is a wish your heart makes,”

Is that singing? 

Namjoon sharply looked up from his book, utterly snubbing what used to be so important just to find the source of the voice.

“When you’re fast asleep.” He looked all around him, before coming to the conclusion that the singing must have been coming from the bottom of the hill, since that’s where the voices were before.

But those where children’s voices…this singing definitely sounds more…mature and…beautiful

“In dreams you will loose your heartache,”

He stood up and craned his neck around the tree, making eyes at the hill below. He was surprised to see a group of children surrounding the cherry blossoms, and at the center, underneath them, sat a beautiful young woman. 

“Whatever you wish for, you keep.”

He could only see her profile through the blossoms and branches, and he found himself inching closer and straining to get a better view.

“Have faith in your dreams and someday, Your rainbow will come smiling through.” 

Namjoon’s mouth was fixated in permanent shock at the sound of this woman’s beautiful voice. He found her presence almost ethereal, like she was some sort of spirit or forest nymph not meant for human eyes.

“No matter how your heart is grieving, If you keep on believing,”

With every word the woman sang, a smile danced across her lips and Namjoon could practically feel the joy radiating off of her face.

“The dream that you wish will come true~”

He watched as she suddenly got up from the bench, still singing the tune of the song, albeit more fast-paced and with various “oohs,” “ahhs,” and “buh-dums.” The woman grabbed a few of the children’s hands, skipping about to the tune and twirling in circles. He could tell that the children liked it immensely, dancing along with the woman and laughing. Namjoon couldn’t stop his own face from brightening at the sight, his smile creeping up on him before he knew it. The young woman stopped dancing, and Namjoon watched as she took a deep breath, no doubt to start another line.

“No matter how your heart is grieving,” Namjoon was surprised to hear this line in English, the children seeming to mimic his emotion by the looks on their faces and in the way they stopped dancing, as if they were trying to keep all of their focus on the young lady in front of them.

“If you keep on believing,

The dream that you wish will come true~” The woman’s face broke out in a wide smile as the children around her cheered, some clapping while she took mock bows in appreciation. Namjoon couldn’t stop smiling as he leaned closer and closer, still gripping the tree, before… he slipped.

Shit

You were busy laughing with the children after your little “performance,” when suddenly you heard various faint groans and cries of pain coming from behind you. You saw the children’s eyes practically pop out of their sockets as they all pointed behind you towards the hill.

“N-Noona! There’s a man!”

“He’s falling!”

“He’s rolling down the hill!” Their panicked shouts faces caused you great alarm, and you hoped as you turned around, that they were just playing a silly game of “made you look.”

None such luck.

There, rolling down the hill, was what you could only assume was a fully-grown man, though the flailing mass of limbs made it hard to decipher any human form.

“Oh my god!” You instantly made your way over to the rolling boy as he finally came to a stop at the bottom of the hill. “Sir, are you alright?!” Concern flooded throughout your body, only dissipating slightly when the man finally propped himself up to smile awkwardly at you, his glasses sitting crooked on his face. He was dusted head to toe in various grass and dirt stains, some of the grass even still sticking out of his hair. You almost laughed. Almost. You reached your hand out for him to take.

“I’m, uh, I’m alright.” He gave you another sheepish smile, gladly taking your hand as you helped him up off the ground. He comically brushed himself off and adjusted his glasses back to the proper place on his face. This time you couldn’t hold back your laughter as you struggled to get your words out.

“A-Are you sure?” You managed, your giggles causing you to stutter.

“Ah, don’t worry about me, I fall all the time.”

“That just makes me worry more!” You were looking him over for any injuries when suddenly it hit you.

Oh my god this guy is handsome too, how does this keep happening to me?!?

He caught you staring and he bashfully turned his face away, scratching the back of his head as an embarrassed smile made it’s way to his face, highlighting his gorgeous dimples and…

OH MY GOD, STOP STARRING AT HIM!

“S-Sorry, I was just trying to make sure you weren’t hurt…” This time you were embarrassed, looking at your feet in shame, hoping he didn’t see through your lie.

“What, you don’t trust me or something?” Your eyes snapped back up to his, a blush still evident on your cheeks.

“Oh no! I just—“ You buried your face in your hands and grunted in despair while rolling boy just laughed at your embarrassment.

Ass…

What you didn’t know though, was that he was only laughing because he found you just so god damn adorable. You looked up at him from your hands, eyebrows furrowed with a small pout on your face.

Could she get any cuter?

“Sorry for teasing you~” Rolling boy made a slight bow of his head. “My name is Kim Namjoon, but I’m fine with just Namjoon…or Joonie~” He subtly raised his eyebrows at you and you chuckled in response.

“Nice to meet you Namjoon,” you smirked when you saw his face fall faintly at the sound of his name and not his nickname. “My name is (L/n) (Y/n), but I suppose you can call me (Y/n)~” you teased.

“I suppose I will, (Y/n).” Your name sounded like honey rolling off of his tongue, your knees almost buckling to his voice. In that moment, you abruptly became aware that the two of you had been speaking English the entire time.

“Your English is very good!” He smiled wide again, the cocky look from his last comment disappearing.

“Ah, thank you! Your Korean is very good, I heard you singing from up there,” he pointed behind himself to the stretch of trees at the top of the hill. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you while I was reading—“

“Oh I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to distract you!”

“Don’t apologize, I’d gladly be distracted by your singing any day! God, it was just—has anyone ever told you you sound like an angel?” You looked at him wide-eyed, heat rising rapidly to your face; you were sure if you had a mirror, you’d find a tomato staring right back at you.

“N-No…” You gripped the hem of your blouse, suddenly finding the delicate stitching so interesting.

“Well, they should…” Namjoon trailed off, trying to find something else to say to you, anything to keep you here with him a while longer. He cleared his throat awkwardly, “So, uh, you’re not from Korea right?”

“N-no,” your voice sounding very small, even to you, “I moved here a few months ago on a work visa.”

“Oh?”

“But I want—“ Your eyes roamed up to his own, suddenly forgetting your words as your nervousness took ahold of you again. “But I want,” you started again, “I want to get citizenship eventually. I do love it here, I’ve always had an affinity for Korean culture.” Namjoon smiled smugly, like he knew something you didn’t.

“Oh well then you must love K-pop right?” Your face lit up, finally finding a topic you weren’t embarrassed to talk about.

“Of course! It’s actually one of the tools I used to help me learn the language! That and K-Dramas.” You looked to the side and nervously laughed, realizing that you probably sounded like a koreabo.

“That’s really cool! I actually learned English with a lot of help from American television, like the show Friends—“

“I love that show!” Another topic you weren’t embarrassed to talk about. 

“It’s so great right?” Namjoon looked like a kid on Christmas, his eyes aglow, and you were sure you looked the same. “Favorite character on one, two, three!” 

“Monica!”

“Chandler!”

The two of you looked at each other in shock for a moment, both giving a look that screamed, “No way!”, pointing to each other in amusement before you both burst into uncontrollable laughter. You held onto your sides as you finally settled down, Namjoon wiping the tears from his eyes. When the air was finally settled, Namjoon looked back to you, his face still proudly displaying a gorgeous smile.

And dimples…WHAT?! CHILL INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS!

“Since you like K-pop, do you know B—“ Suddenly a sharp ringing cut through Namjoon’s words, making him stop and furrow his brows, reaching for his phone in the front pocket of his cardigan. Once he read the contact on the screen, he smiled apologetically at you before quickly answering. You tried not to pry into his conversation, but you couldn’t help but pick up a few words like “dorm”, “now”, and “busy” before you saw Namjoon sigh and reluctantly agree to whatever demands the other person on the line was making. He hung up with a forlorn look on his face, slowly turning back to you before smiling melancholically.

“I have to go,” he gestured to his phone, giving you a peek into the previous conversation. “But, is it alright…if I see you again? Like would that be okay? You can say no if you w—“ You cut him off, laughing at his nervous rambling.

“Namjoon I’d love to see you again!” You watched as his face practically burned in front of you.

“R-Really?”

“Really.” You smiled at his dumfounded look.

“Then could I…could I text your number from my phone?” He awkwardly looked to the side, unsure of how you would answer.

“Yeah, of course! It’s…” You told him your number, watching as he excitedly typed it into his phone, smiling to himself at whatever he must have texted you.

“So um, I guess I’ll see you around hopefully?”

“Yes, hopefully you will~” You two smiled once more at each other before he finally started to stalk off in the direction he fell. You in turn started to head back to the children when his voice suddenly caught you by surprise.

“Bye (Y/n)!” You turned to see him now on top of the hill, book under his arm as he enthusiastically waved at you, a dopey smile on his face. You mirrored his actions, smiling yourself as you waved back to him.

“Bye Joonie!” You watched as his face lit up even more at the nickname before turned around and disappearing into the trees. You were still smiling when you finally found your way back to the children, all of them wearing the exact same face: one eyebrow up and a suspicious smirk.

“What?” You looked anywhere but their faces, knowing exactly what was on their mind before Mijin suddenly spoke up.

“How does this keep happening to you? Are you an actual princess noona? You’d tell us if you were right??” You just laughed and shook your head, just as confused and delighted by this week’s occurrences yourself.

Namjoon’s Text:

From Unknown: Hey Monica, it’s Chandler ;)

A/N: I know Namjoon sees himself as Monica, but like I was just tryna make a cute story thing~ FORGIVE ME!

[deansdirtylittlesecretsblog]

CYOSTODA: Sam Picks Truth

Title:  CYOSTODA: Sam Picks Truth

Characters: Dean, Leah, Sam and Reader

Location: Motel room, Crappsville, USA.

Word Count: 1060

Summary: The three of you celebrate the 1 year anniversary of you joining the Winchesters, and not dying, with fun and games.

Warnings: language, drinking, sexual innuendos, mentions of sex with another person, flirting at a whole new level

Link to the Choose Your Own Supernatural Truth or Dare Adventure MasterMess moderated by the amazing @littlegreenplasticsoldier

Part 1:  The Set Up by @littlegreenplasticsoldier

Part 2:  Dean Picks Dare by @eyes-of-a-disney-princess

Part 3:  Leah Picks Dare by @impalasutra

Sam passed you the bottle, making a point of keeping his eyes on your face.  Dean, on the other hand, was not quite the gentleman his brother was pretending to be and you felt his eyes roaming over your body as you poured yourself another glass of whisky.  “Alright, it’s not like you’ve never seen a naked woman before,” you grumbled as you started to feel the last round of alcohol hit your system.  “Let’s keep this game moving.”

Leah took that as her cue and turned her gaze on Sam, a wicked glint in her eye.  “Truth or dare, Sammy?”

You watched Sam carefully, not realizing you were holding your breath until you felt the burn in your chest. You took a breath, blinking rapidly. Sam was starting to look a little blurry.

“Wait!” Dean interjected. “I thought we were gonna hear what happened in the bathroom?” He stared earnestly at first you, than Leah, silently pleading with both of you to tell him what had happened behind that closed bathroom door.

“Later,” Leah smirked, dropping a wink over her shoulder at him. “Maybe when it’s your turn again.”

Dean sat back, looking like a deflated party balloon, a definite pout on his face. You couldn’t help but giggle. You took another drink from your full glass of whiskey, the room tipping on its axis just a little. You kind of liked it.

Leah turned her attention back to Sam. “Come on, Sam, truth or dare?”

You thought he might say dare, somehow keep the game going in the direction it seemed to logically be headed. You wouldn’t mind that at all, especially if it meant you might get to continue that kiss with Leah that had been interrupted. You were interested to see where that might go. You sat forward, forgetting your nakedness and the fact that Dean couldn’t take his eyes off of you, anxious to hear Sam’s choice.

“Truth,” he smirked.

“Fuck me,” Dean grumbled, sitting back, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.

Leah smiled at him, planted her hands on the floor, and slid closer to the center of the circle until she was sitting right beside you, her knee leaning against yours, her hand resting on your calf. You wished you didn’t still have on your jeans, because you would really love to feel her soft skin against yours again.

“What’s the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done?” she whispered. “In detail.”

One side of Sam’s mouth tipped up in a smirk reminiscent of his brother’s. He lifted his glass to his mouth and took a slow drink. He shot a glance at his brother, rested his arm on his raised knee, the glass dangling from his long fingers, his eyes drifting slowly over you.

“Sex in a public place,” he smirked.

“No way,” you shook your head. “Dean, maybe, but not you.”

“Hey,” Dean protested.

Sam rolled his eyes. “You think my brother is the only one that does stuff like that? Oh, you have so much to learn, Y/N. So much. You see, we were in this club and one of the dancers -”

“So you were in a strip club?” Leah interrupted.

“Yeah,” Sam answered, eyes narrowed. “Okay, we were in a strip club and one of the dancers came over to our table. She was flirting, a lot, hand on my shoulder, running through my hair, making it pretty obvious what she was after. Dean made himself scarce and the next thing I know, she’s in the booth beside me, her lips on my neck, her hand down the front of my pants.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Sammy, TMI,” you groaned. “T. M. I.”

Before you could blink, Sam was right next to you, sliding one leg behind your back, the other bent at the knee, tucked up against you, as close to you as he could possibly get, his face just inches from yours. “Oh, but Y/N, it was so good.”

He was so close to you and his voice was so low that it was like the two of you were the only people in the room. You licked your lips, nodding at him to continue, the movement making your head spin a little. He put his hand, his huge hand, on your waist, leaning impossibly closer, the whiskey scent of his breath blowing across your face. For a second you thought he was going to kiss you, but his lips just grazed the edge of your jaw as he moved to press his lips to your ear.

His fingers drew circles on your bare back as he spoke, soft, easy, like he touched you intimately all the time. His voice was raspy, thick with the alcohol he’d drank, barely a whisper. “She crawled in my lap, Y/N, right there in the back of the club, people all around us. She pulled my hand between her legs and begged me to touch her.”

You closed your eyes and swallowed, heat pulsing through you. “Sam -” you murmured.

But he didn’t stop, his hand sliding up your back and into your hair, his fingers twisting in the strands. “She was so wet and oh, Christ, was she tight. Then she wrapped her legs around me, put her hands in my hair, and she pulled it, just like this -”

Sam’s fingers tightened noticeably in your hair and he tugged, just hard enough to draw a groan from you. His hair was tickling your cheek, warm breath against your cheek, close enough to kiss. You turned your head, just a little, but it was enough for your lips to brush against his in an almost kiss.

Sam pulled harder on your hair, tipping your head back enough that you could look into his hazel green eyes, the black of his pupils blown wide. There was a flush of pink to his cheeks and his lips were wet with saliva. You wanted to kiss him.

You’d forgotten Leah was sitting right beside you, forgotten about her hand on your leg, forgotten about everything, your entire focus narrowed in on Sam. You jumped when she squeezed your leg and cleared her throat.

“That doesn’t count, Sam,” Leah frowned and shook her head. “I wanted detail.”

“It counts, Leah,” you whispered, unable to look away from Sam’s mesmerizing gaze. “Trust me, it counts.”

“Truth or dare, Y/N?” Sam murmured.

Y/N picks Dare to be written by @klaineaholic

Y/N picks Truth written by @revwinchester

CYOSTODA Crew tag:  @winchesterswoonathon @saenalife @inkiestdawn @curliesallovertheplace @kreborn17 @winchester-writes @kayteonline @aprofoundbondwithdean @moonlitskinwalker @rizlow1 @sunriserose1023 @eyes-of-a-disney-princess @sammit-janet @revwinchester @notnaturalanahi, @babypieandwhiskey @klaineaholic @winchesterprincessbride @ilostmyshoe-79 @mamalinda09 @butiaintgonnaloveem @kittenofdoomage @deandoesthingstome @skybinx-blog @gemini75eeyore @ive-been-told-that-im-fangirling @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid

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Four Animated Movies I love and Four I Hate

I decided rather than just do individual top lists of the favorite non Disney animated films I like and don’t like, I decided to do a different approach and just list the four that I love and four that I don’t like. They will be categorized by ghibli film, non ghibli anime film, CGI Non Disney/Pixar Film and favorite 2D animated non Disney film. I’m gonna keep it movies that gained a theatrical release so the Monster High movies won’t be on this list and of course, Disney movies don’t count. I already did a list of my favorite Disney films. Yes, Ghibli in English is part of Disney but it doesn’t count as their main category of movies. Disney just owns dubbing rights. 

So let’s get started with my favorite Ghibli Film and my non favorite (I think it’s impossible to hate a Ghibli film but have a least favorite)

Favorite Ghibli film.

Kiki’s Delivery Service

I had a hard time picking between this one and Spirited Away, but after much thought, I decided to pick this one. It’s just a peaceful movie that I can watch any time, no matter what mood I’m feeling. There’s no big action scenes or deep story. It’s just a story about a little witch in a town that let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to live in this town? It’s big but homey and classy, it’s by the sea and there’s so many neat things to see and do. Plus it’s about witches and has a cat with a dry sense of humor. Spirited Away is a great film but sometimes it gets too intense and at times, I started to fill ill during the moments of No Face puking it’s guts out and the dragon covered in blood.

Least Favorite Ghibli Film

Nausicaa 

I didn’t think it was a bad movie, it just didn’t catch my interest all that much. Compared to Ghibli’s later works, this was kinda meh. I like the cabbit thing though that was on her shoulder.

Favorite None Ghibli Anime Film

Sailor Moon S Movie

Yeah, yeah, I know a Sailor Moon movie. I don’t watch anime movies very often outside Ghibli and those that I do, are not bad but don’t warrant my favorite list either. Sailor Moon Super S movie does come close to topping this one, but I feel like the story and animation was especially up to par in S. Plus Luna looks so gorgeous as a human. I love her dress. She looks elegant without looking too plain. People may shoot me for this, but I honestly think Luna as a human looks prettier than Princess Serenity. I mean, I know people are going to shoot me for that but in my opinion, Serenity looks like a typical princess/damsel in distress wearing this plain white gown. Human Luna looks elegant, mature yet playful at the same time. Plus that long hair that is so shiny and wavy. It’s just hard to top that. She’s beautiful and interesting to look at, almost reminding me of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Serenity is pretty but her outfit is just plain and I just hate how she looks like a typical damsel in distress in her gown. Even Disney Princesses up the anti with their princess gowns.

(Runners up with be Pokemon 2000, Pokemon Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction and Pokemon Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice.)

 Plot itself is well balanced with drama and enough lovey dovey stuff to just make you feel satisfied. It’s just a beautiful film. Super S movie is great too and I like the little fairy that falls for Chibi Usa. I almost prefer him falling for her since it seems more appropriate, but Helios is nice too. I just think S just balances out soft and sweet with drama better. I really want Toei to just hurry up, forget about Sailor Moon R movie and enhanced and re-release this movie and Super S in theaters! Speaking of which...

Hated Anime Film

Sailor Moon R Movie

I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again, I HATE season R of Sailor Moon. It was too overly dramatic, Chibi Usa was obnoxious, villains were either creepy or annoying or not as interesting, except for the sisters. They were good. Hate the drama between Usagi and Mamoru. Was done so much better in the manga and Crystal because it ended faster! Everyone praises this season, I don’t. It was a turn off for me and this movie is no exception. More Usagi crying because she didn’t have her man with her. Chibi Usa was kinda useful and kinda not because her friends could have motivated her better.

 Yeah, Chibi Usa was a damsel in distress in Super S movie but she was a lot more nicer and tolerable, plus she killed the villain with Usagi! Plus, the relationship between her and the fairy boy is just so sweet and while Usagi cried when Mamoru got hurt, it didn’t drag to me. Also kudos for Usagi getting the guts to jump into a portal of death for her child, like a good mother should, doesn’t fall for the villains trap like “F!@# you, I know my man doesn’t choose between me and my daughter!”, and when they do fall and are saved by the fairy boy, it’s done humorously, so it’s not dragging so long. 

In the R movie, Usagi gets beat up, rises up naked because of the Crystal, shows psycho plant boy with lazy design what happened and make him snap out of it, uses the Crystal to yes save everyone, that’s a plus side but she ends up dead, thus a damsel in distress for her prince to save her. It’s not that I don’t want her to show her weaknesses but when she’s crying for Mamoru or is “dead”, it just drags on too long. The movie just has everything I hate about the R season.  Period. Moving on.

Favorite CGI Non Disney/Pixar Film

How To Train Your Dragon 1 and 2

I can’t really pick one I like better, so I’m gonna call it a draw because they’re part of the same franchise anyway. I like the first movie because it’s more simple and like the second because it apps up the action, develops the characters more and does everything right about that sequel should. Plus I love dragons. My room is full of dragon things. Favorite mythical creature.

Kung Fu Panda 1 and 2 though comes extremely close to being my favorite, especially 2. It’s a great franchise that I didn’t expect to like. 

Hated CGI Non Disney/Pixar Film

The Nut Job

Take everything that I hate in a kids cartoon including toilet humor and fart jokes, add stuff that would make the movie dated as Gangnam Style and rip off one of the most mediocre Dreamworks films (Over the Hedge) for the plot and Remy the Rat from Ratatouille and you got one of the most annoying and lazily done CG films to date.  I don’t get why people hated Legends of Oz (which came out the same year) so much but praised this film or say it’s not as bad. Least Legends of Oz had an original premise, it didn’t rip off other films with the exception of the Emerald City, there was no fart jokes and toilet humor and in my opinion, gave us the best design of Scarecrow ever.

There was just nothing in Nut Job for me. If you like it, fine but I just couldn’t. I HATED this movie.The runner up would be be the Shrek movies but there was at least some substance I could get out of those movies. Nut Job had zip!

Favorite Non Disney 2D film

Ferngully: The Last Rainforest

It’s a movie about fairies, magic and nature with beautiful animation, a fruit bat played by the late and great Robin Willaims. What more can anyone ask for in a film? Yeah, it hammers “protect nature” thing but, honestly, I didn’t think it hammered it in as much as people said it did. I use to bench watch this movie as a kid that I’m shocked I never owned the cassette. Yeah, I didn’t get this movie until it was released with the second film on DVD. Which I did like the second film. Yeah, it’s dated but it’s still a cute movie, none the less.

The runner up for this spot is Secret of NIMH.

Hated Non Disney 2D Film

Thumbelina

Few words for this one especially for the songs and main character.

The runner up would be Troll in Central Park. The reason and ONLY reason why that is not on this spot, is because that movie is so obviously bad that it’d be cheating if I added it on here. There was NOTHING good in that movie besides the animation. Thumbelina, does has some qualities that I can see some folks maybe liking it. MAYBE. I’ve had people say like Thumbelina as a guilty pleasure, while NO ONE has said they like Troll in Central Park. I think even a brain dead monkey would not enjoy that film. It’s just that obviously bad.

So that concludes that! Hope you enjoyed this entry! More to come soon!