#frozen reviews

[greatqueenanna]

Lost Legends: The Fixer Upper

A GreatQueenAnna Review

Released: October 17, 2023

Type: Series

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Audience Score: 4.4/5

My Score: 3.8/5

--------------------------

With the films focusing their attention on the sisters, sometimes Kristoff can feel like a side-character more than a tritagonist. So, hearing that Kristoff was getting a whole novel to himself, and exploring a bit of his past, I was of course excited for this book.

Overall, it was a cute story that gave us a much needed glimpse into Kristoff's childhood, with some themes being very compelling. There were some things that were a bit strange and the story does tend to move a bit slow, but overall it is very nice side content for Frozen fans. I can only hope that Kristoff continues to get more content in the future (especially within the films) that explore even more.

More in depth review under the cut.

The Fixer Upper seems like a more expansive version of the Disney Frozen: The Hero Within graphic novel by Joe Caramagna. Both stories feature Kristoff's difficulty within the orphanage, even Gustav comes in to play a major role. I do enjoy catching all of the connections made within the novel canon - it really makes it feel like the authors do indeed care about creating a coherent universe, even if the novels are not 100% part of the film's world.

The story begins with the family playing charades during game night. Kristoff is compelled to tell the story of his experiences as a child within 'human' school. However, his story first starts with Kristoff explaining to the sisters and Olaf how he met Sven and left the orphanage at 8 years old, and his relationship with Tor - his ice harvesting mentor.

After a few instances of the narrative going back and forth from the story to present day, we time skip to Kristoff going to school at 12 years old and then the instances of present day become less occurring, and the story becomes a bit more focused.

The narrative focuses on Kristoff trying to figure out where he belongs - with humans, or with trolls. He struggles to fit in with the humans, and he feels as though because he is not a troll, that the trolls don't' want him around as much anymore.

This is actually the most interesting part of the story for me - I understand how Kristoff feels as a mixed-ethnic person. Feeling like you don't belong in either part of your family or heritage because the other side of you is "in the way. " Kristoff couldn't get along with other humans because he was raised by trolls, but also felt he didn't belong with the trolls because he was human. This is incredibly compelling.

I really like the style of how at the beginning of every chapter, we get a quote from the The Ice Harvester's Guide to Ice and how the quote seems to match the scene. It was a very nice touch.

One this that was disappointing was how it seems that the Ice Harvesters are not specifically tied to being Sámi - even though this was alluded to in Dangerous Secrets. Unless I missed it (which is possible, my ADHD is all over the place when reading anything, especially novels), there were no references at all to Kristoff being Sámi or a fictional equivalent, like the Northuldra. Now, I know that this is probably not something the writers are allowed to delve into, but it would've been nice if a small reference was made - like in Dangerous Secrets.

Another thing that was a bit weird was how Grand Pabbie tells Kristoff that one of the reasons they were adamant on him going to 'human' school was so that he could meet his true love. Why would a 12 year old need to be told that he needs to interact with humans so that in the future he can meet a girl? He's 12. I get that the trolls are love experts, and this is meant to be a foreshadowing of his relationship with Anna...but come on. Again. He's 12.

[rinabirgul]

[seaofreverie]

Sparkstember Day 11: Angst In My Pants (The Decline And Fall Of Me)

Album two of two in the series of Sparks' immaculate new wave releases! Iconic in every way imaginable from the music to the artwork to ONE music video. I think it's more musically (and lyrically!) varied and mature in tone (besides... a couple exceptions. Yes, an album called Angst In My Pants) than its predecessor, which is a very good development. These songs will leave you chuckling and bopping along and also pondering the intricacies of human existence. Ok, maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but it can't be denied that behind much of the earnestness and theatricality here, there's lots of quite emotional, introspective and thought-provoking stuff to be found.

Thematically, this album goes everywhere. One moment we are in Sextown U.S.A, the next we're visiting Disneyland, California where we make friends among people and animals. On a more serious note though, I think the biggest emotional whiplash one could experience between different songs on an album is between Mickey Mouse and Sherlock Holmes. And yet there's still a very prominent element of humour, even in those songs that are on the more serious or dramatic end of the scale.

I said a few days ago that I'd try to return to the topic of Sparks' brand of humour and how it works, but I don't feel intelligent enough to analyse that today. And I'm pretty sure that from what I've seen, Other People And The Maels Themselves (Said It Better Than Me). So instead, as a little send-off, please remember: if a mouse can be special, well, SO CAN YOU!!! 🫵

Favourite songs (and other highlights):

Angst In My Pants: literally no other song like this one in this world. I can't tell why that is but it's just. So great

I Predict: I had a weird kind of effect where I heard this song in my early days of Sparking and it felt VEEERY familiar to me. I think it was due to the genre / style here, it reminded me of something specific, at first I thought it was very glam rock but I'm pretty sure that this is not it but something else (and I don't know what to call it in that case!). Anyway, banger song

Tarzan And Jane: whoa wait, am I already skipping to the third-to-last song on the tracklist?? I guess I am. This one's great and one of my early favs too (I wonder how long it will take until I run out of things to say about my fav songs and it all just becomes this list of 'it's very good and I like it a lot. next.')

The Decline And Fall Of Me: it's great!! I like it!! And, of course, "check out my pizzas"

Eaten By The Monster Of Love: personal reasons that lead to a printed and framed mini-comic of my making appearing on my desk, which features some of the lyrics of this song, which caused me to have it permanently stuck in my head for a pretty long period of time. And this way I ended up liking it much much more than I did in the beginning, when it still seemed somehow pretty unremarkable to me

[petite-gloom]

if social media as we know it continues to deteriorate u can always find me on ocado reviewing the texture and flavour profile of different brands of yogurt. just so you know

[trentcrimminallybeautiful]

i think the diamond dogs should play improv games just bc it would amuse me, an ex theater kid, specifically

[softpine]

caroline must have been so sick when insidious came out

[disneyparksattractionstournament]

Disney Parks Animatronic Tournament: Bracket C/Tier 3 Round 1

Puffins: Maelstrom/Frozen Ever After - Epcot

(Video is already set to start at the point of the animatronic! If it doesn't, go to 3:16)

Alice: Mickey Mouse Review - Magic Kingdom Disney World(formerly), Tokyo Disneyland (formerly)

(Video is already set to start at the point of the animatronic! If it doesn't, go to 5:02)

(Video is already set to start at the point of the animatronic! If it doesn't, go to 4:54)

[filmbrainbmb]

New Projector review! The Ghostbusters are back facing an enemy who wants to create a Frozen Empire, but the franchise is trapped between it's past and future, which between so many characters is weighing heavier than a proton pack.

[pricelesscinemas]

[pistachions]

Sometimes I wonder if I was ever normal abt the dwampyverse but then I remember in middle school this guy (who i was irrationally scared of for no reason) asked me if I liked pnf BUUT he used a LOT of past tense lmao (i used to love it, it was my favourite when i was younger ... etc) so I panicked cuz obviously I STILL like it so I did a harsh straight never seen pnf. And kept up this WHOLE thing irl for at least 4 years until I remembered that I don't even talk to him anymore and nothing was stopping me from going back lmao

[wavcheck]

i am enjoying everyone’s commentary on using clonazepam

[spengnitzed]

The new 🪲🧃 🪲 🧃 movie was what FE should have been, a decent to good sequel with a cohesive plot and funny jokes.

[subjectivecuriosities]

My ★★★★½ review of Ghostbusters (1984): https://boxd.it/6HLVi1

My ★★★★½ review of Ghostbusters II (1989): https://boxd.it/6IvEWb

My ★★★½ review of Ghostbusters (2016): https://boxd.it/6ISbnd

My ★★★½ review of Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021): https://boxd.it/6JjZVX

My ★★★½ review of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) on: https://boxd.it/6JSNQ7

[courtneysmovieblog]

"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" or Why Critics Need to Shut Up and Just Let Us Have Fun

At one point in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Winston (Ernie Hudson) asks Ray (Dan Aykroyd) why he's still bothering with Ghostbusters instead of enjoying his golden years. Ray replies that this is exactly how he wants to be spending his golden years: by doing the thing he loves.

I really think that this was Aykroyd's response to all the critics that trash him for being too old to do Ghostbusters or The Blues Brothers. Blues and the supernatural are the things he's passionate about...and what better way to spend what time you have left by doing what you love?

Yeah, maybe the studios are milking the Ghostbusters series for all its worth by coasting on nostalgia. Did we need a Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire? Probably not, just like he didn't need a Ghostbusters: Afterlife. But I loved Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and I loved Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire too!

The Spengler family (Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, and Mckenna Grace) and former teacher/sort-of-stepfather Gary (Paul Rudd) are now living in New York as full-time Ghostbusters, who have now expanded their operations, thanks to Ray, Winston, and Janine (Annie Potts). Unfortunately, former foe Walter Peck (William Atherton) is now the mayor, and is ready for any excuse to end them, including child labor laws. So Phoebe and the kids are forced to the sidelines while the adults take over...

Until when Ray's newest customer (Kumail Nanjiani) pawns a mysterious family relic to the store, setting off a chain of supernatural events. Once again, the Ghostbusters must rally to save the world.

The writers deserve some credit for doing something a little more original with the plot this time. This one gets a little dark: people literally freeze to death, and even Phoebe toys with the idea of the afterlife when she connects with spirit of a teenage girl (Emily Alyn Lind) . But don't worry, we still have plenty of laughs with the return of Slimer and Peter Venkman (Bill Murray).

Critics have not been kind to this movie. But maybe it's time to remind ourselves one crucial thing about the original Ghostbusters: it was a fun movie. That's all it was ever supposed to be, nothing more or less. And yet everyone from the critics to the fans critics and turned it into some kind of Holy Grail, setting up impossibly high standards that none of the sequels or reboots could ever hope to meet.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire might not be perfect, but like all the other films, it's fun. And even if it's getting old, there's nothing wrong with enjoying something that still gives you joy. So screw the critics and just go have a good time. Especially if it might be the last one.

8 out of 10

[arson-09]

thinking about the idiot at pitchfork that gave unreal unearth only a 5/10 and then proceeded to write the worst music review/explanation/critique thing i have ever seen in my entire life

and ive been a reader for years, i have read many reviews of differing quality

and that was SO bad