Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale. Of all the stories I read, this one appeared to be as close to a real representation of love as a fairytale could be. Two outcasts, trapped in worlds that don't accept who they are, find comfort and solace in eachother through the relationship they build over time.
As a live action adaption of the 1991 beloved animated classic, the story, music and casting did this movie justice.
There were a few complaints that I heard of before I saw the film:
Emma Watson's singing
The animation of the Beast
Belle's ballgown etc.
Emma Watson didn't have a strong singing voice, but I liked how pure it sounded. The animation of the Beast could have been better, but I didn't mind. As for the ballgown, I loved that when Belle twirled, it looked like a rose blooming.
(Fun fact: Emma Watson requested a light and airy dress that was easy to move in. This emphasized the importance of freedom to Belle's story.)
I guess if I were to complain about one thing, it would be the fact that Belle didn't walk "with her nose stuck in a book" during the village scene.
For me, the film was more than I could ever ask for in a remake.
We witness the history of the characters, and we learn and grow with them. The songs that were added to the film give it an extra dimension that builds the world of the story.
We learn why the Beast was so beastly in the first place, and we see what Gaston hides behind his vain mask.
One of my favorite additions to the story was the fact that Belle (Beauty) asks her father for a rose as a keepsake from his journey. This is true to the original fairy tale and also influences Beauty to take her father's place.
All the original songs are there, including the best version of "Gaston" I have ever seen. But the addition of the Beast's ballad, "Evermore" will break your heart if you have one. The melody "Home" from the broadway musical is also used in a few important moments and an element of travel was woven throughout the imagery and the theme of the narrative.
Without giving away spoilers, I give this film five out of five enchanted roses.
Nothing will ever replace the original, but I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful tribute to a tale as old as time.
Moana is a beautiful tribute to the Polynesian culture and an epic coming of age tale.
Since she was born, Moana of Motunui has been drawn to the ocean, but as the chief's daughter she has a role to play. When the island begins to decay, Moana is given a new role, the savior of her people. She must find the demigod Maui and convince him to right a terrible wrong. But Maui is not just any demigod. He is a cunning trickster, who wants nothing more than human praise.
This task turns into an important journey, with many lessons along the way.
As Moana tests her limits, learns things that she can do, and listens to her own intuition, she discovers one of the most important things in life, and one of the most difficult. There is power in knowing who you truly are.
This entire movie was beautiful, from the animation to the music. The eloquent sounds of Te Vaka, and the clever lyrics of Lin-Manuel Miranda add an extra dimension to the tale. With interesting characters, and a clean-cut storyline, this film is one of the best Disney movies in a long time. The mythology is amazing, and the history compelling.
I recommend this film to people of all walks of life. It is a voyage of self discovery.
Finding Nemo is one of my favorite Pixar films, so I was thrilled when the trailer to Finding Dory came out. Dory is such an interesting character, and it was really cool how they tied in the events of Finding Nemo with Finding Dory.
This film is just as fun and heartfelt as the first movie, and it features new characters that are each unique in their own way.
The film starts where the first one ended, but Dory is starting to remember things she never remembered before. As she experiences flashbacks from her past, only one thought remains, she must find her parents. Those memories take her, Marlin and Nemo on a spontaneous journey where Dory relies on one thing, instinct. Because her memories are scattered, and she has short term memory loss, Dory can only go one step at a time. She can form a plan, but she doesn't remember it for very long. As Marlin and Nemo learn to go by this way of life, it becomes apparent that there is something more powerful than memory- destiny.
Dory's journey to find her family, and to overcome her fears of being alone contains some great messages that I don't see in very many films. One particular message hit home in terms of how random and at times crazy life can be. But if you just keep swimming, who knows what can happen. :)
I give this film five out of five purple seashells. It's right up there with Finding Nemo for one of my favorite Pixar storylines.
The last time we saw Alice, she declared her independence and turned down a very prestigious lord for marriage. When we return to her world, she is returning home from an adventurous voyage near China. Things have changed since she went away, and she is forced to choose a life of adventure or a life of stability. During all this, she runs into Absoleum who brings her back to Underland where the Hatter needs her help.
Time itself is against her as she tries to make the Hatter better, but it is Time that she must confront in order to make him well again.
Convinced that his family is alive, the Hatter is fading with the memory of his past woes and mistakes. He wishes to see his family again because of the way that he left them: with bitterness and anger.
Alice is determined to help her friend, but she is also bitter about her own situation. She doesn't want to leave her ship and her father's memory behind.
She visits the master of Time at his castle where he tells her that she can't change the past, but she can learn from it. Alice doesn't listen, and she becomes determined to set things the way she believes they are supposed to be. But it all continues to follow the same pattern that it has previously. Alice cannot change the moment the Red Queen decided to be the Red Queen, or the moment that the Hatter's family was attacked by the Red Queen. She also can't change the fact that Hamish is determined to have her sign over the deed to the ship that was her father's pride and joy.
So what does Alice do? Well, that's the important element of the story.
I enjoyed this film as much as I enjoyed the first Alice in Wonderland. It also has important messages that I needed to hear at this moment in my life.
"You can't change the past, but you can learn from it." - Time
" Every day is a gift, every hour and every second." -Alice
Alice can control her reaction to her circumstances, and she can appreciate all the time she has spent with her friends, new and old.
Her decision at the end of the movie is an important one, and a lesson that very few learn. The past is past, but what matters is what you are able to do now.
I give this movie five out of five pocket watches.
The soundtrack is also wonderful, and Pink's song at the end wraps it up nicely.
For many years, great lessons have been passed down to people of all ages through the stories known as fables. In a fable, morals of every day life are represented through the actions of animals. From the Lion and the Mouse to the Tortoise and the Hare, stories have taught us the values of living, and the impact of our choices in every day life.
Zootopia is a brilliant modern day fable, and some of the best writing I have seen from Disney in a very long time! I can easily praise this film's well rounded characters, imaginative yet familiar world and the valuable lesson that the story tells.
Judy Hopps is a young bunny with a dream, and she follows that dream completely. Her actions, and her choices really make the film special, but she doesn't carry the story of the movie alone. Nick Wilde, a clever and sly fox has his own tale woven into the plot, but it's not obvious at first glance. These two characters make such a team, and their team work made the movie for me. Both of these characters were well written, and their personalities, although very different, fill in what the other is lacking from resourcefulness to adaptability.
I would argue that this film is my favorite new Disney film so far. Big Hero 6 is a close second.
Go see it! Everyone should see this movie, because it is so important to recognise the impact of your choices, and your perspective on life. Now, more than ever, we have so many problems that relate to the conflict in this film, but the way the conflict is solved, that's something we all can do. It's a beautiful message told in a creative and clever way. Go see this movie!
Today I saw The Good Dinosaur, knowing that the animation would be stunning. It was a beautiful journey through detailed landscapes that looked real. Only the characters seemed to be animated.
Now, before I talk about The Good Dinosaur, I have to talk about what is probably my favorite Pixar Short: Sanjay's Super Team!
This short was amazing, and now that I know about Hindu Mythology, I loved the way they portrayed the three deities. This short was a great tribute to the merge of two generations, and the power of the imagination. It's the best short I've seen this year!
Anyway, on the the main topic: The Good Dinosaur
It's difficult to review this movie without spoilers, because the story is fantastic, but the way they conveyed the story was a little strange for the story they were trying to tell.
SPOILERS:
The main theme of this movie was facing your fear, and the journey helps you conquer it, and achieve what you didn't believe you could.
Here's one of my favorite scenes:
This was what I liked about the story of the movie. They did a great job focusing on what it is like to live in fear, and how that can hinder your perspective.
That said, I don't recommend this movie to any children under 12 or 10 years old. It's quite scary, and intentionally so. That's one of the things they did really well through Arlo's point of view. You live through his fear, and you follow his journey as he slowly reaches the conclusion he needs to confront it.
Spot's character is basically an endearing puppy, and a great way for Arlo to gain a different perspective of the world around him.
Now, the story itself is a great story, with many good messages. The problem with the film is that they try to tell this western themed, coming of age, boy loves his dog story with Dinosaurs and cave men. It was a bit strange to understand the plausability of the world, but if it was an actual western story (without dinosaurs) I think it would reach the audience in a more effective way.
I would give it four out of five marks, because the story is well written- just badly planned and strangely conveyed. The animation is beautiful, and once you move past the plausiablity of the film, you can see the heart and the message that it's trying to convey.
My script is almost finished, and I can't wait to dive in and see what my beta readers think of it. In the meantime, for NANOWRIMO, I have decided to expand the story, and write a novel version of it.
This idea first came to me before I left for Korea, and while I was in Korea, I was inspired by many places I visited. I'm going to try to pitch this story to Disney once it is finished, and hopefully Shim Chong will be the first Korean Disney Princess.
This project has taken months, but I love working on it, and I hope that I'll have a novel out for it soon.
This is a tough one. Faith is a complex matter, and it's never truly the same process for anyone, because we all have different perspectives.
Truth be told, I haven't had faith much lately.
But I did.
It's similar to that moment when you're a child. When anything is possible. I used to imagine that all kinds of amazing things could happen.
I used to believe in magic.
When I was little, I played this game, similar to Alice's beliveing in impossible things, where I could do anything, and I could be anything.
Maybe that's when my admiration for specific characters started.
I never picked one trait, or one ability. I simply picked a character, and I pretended that I was them.
This was different from dressing up though. I didn't have a costume.
I had long hair, and my hairstyle was Sailor Moon's everyday. I believed that Sailor Moon was an incredible and admirable hero. And I could be just like her.
I would pretend that I had powers, and that a black cat with a moon symbol on her forehead everywhere I went. Sometimes my firends would join in, or we'd roleplay. Disney characters, Sailor Scouts, even Pokemon were our inspiration.
I would fight "battles" in the school yard with my powers, posing just like Sailor Moon and believing that I had the power to conquer anything.
I may not have realized it then, but back when I was a little girl, I had faith in myself. I believed in the impossible, and I enjoyed the challenges that I faced everyday.
Somehow, along the way, as I got older, and faced obstacles, difficult truths, losses, and challenges, I began to tell myself the opposite.
I began to say that I couldn't do things, couldn't be things. I said things like, "I'm not smart enough,"
and "I'm not pretty enough."
Instead of the hero, I became the villian, and I talked myself down for years and years.
I had lost faith, in myself, and in the world around me.
I had put myself in a position where everything felt impossible, and no one could convince me otherwise.
And yes, I believe in God. I prayed, and I waited, but for me, no answer came. I was lost. And worse, it was my own fault.
I had built a barrier and blocked out an important element in my life: faith.
Now, faith doesn't solve your problems, but it is an important part of self confidence.
In order to do something, you must believe that you can. If you don't believe, then you never try. It's a viscious cycle, and it's pretty common in phobia's and depression.
I went to the Disney College Program and I restored some of that faith, but I still doubted, still belittled and at times I even bullied myself out of doing things.
Now, I loved Disney, and I still do. What I loved most about it was the atmosphere, so positive and uplifting. So accepting and inspirational.
When I went to work, I felt like I was doing something, making a difference and helping people do one of the most important things imagianable, finding some magic in their life.
I started writing stories at the Epcot center after work, taking the bus straight there and staying for the fireworks at either Fantasmic or Magic Kingdom.
I started to believe that I had a purpose.
But somehow, that faith in myself and belief in the possiblity of the world dwindled during college and after it. Because I'm stubborn, I haven't given up, but I don't feel that same joy or purpose that I once had.
I'm sure that Disney had a lot to do with it, but it was my mindset too. I wasn't beating myself up anymore. I was trying new things, meeting cool people and finding inspiration. I went through the same pattern in South Korea. At first, I was right back in that rut, but then as I pushed myself to explore the cool places and get out there to meet new people, I discovered that purpose and joy again.
I think I can argue that this year has been a trying time for me, and I've been going back and forth from what I call hopelessness to stubborn optimism.
It hasn't been easy to stay hopeful and to have faith in myself. Many events happened that made me angry and frustrated. There were times that I just wanted to shout "Why!" but, of course, there was no answer.
I am a deep thinker, and I do believe that some things happen for a reason, but I am not sure how I would define faith.
Some would define it as a belief in a higher power, which I have.
Some would say it is a blind trust in the world, which I don't have.
Despite my happy demeanor and my love of Disney, it has been incredibly difficult to trust the world blindly. In many ways, I am terrified to do so.
I've heard success stories from people at TED, and even script writers, actors and musicians. I know that all of them have taken that big step, that blind leap forward and put their faith in the world and themselves.
For some reason, I have been hesitant to do that.
Taking risks is a scary thing, especially in making life decisions that involve money and time.
Risk is something you take everyday just by living.
One of the things I hear people say about the immportant things in life is that there is no guarantee. Yet, people go forward anyway. And maybe faith is what they have.
Maybe they have the faith in themselves to get by. Maybe they have the faith that the world will not slap them in the face or leave them penniless.
Or maybe they are simply brave enough to take the risk.
Faith is a choice to take a risk. we take risks believing that they will work out somehow, or that our time and effort will come to fruition. Faith is believing in the world and yourself. Hoping for the best, and believing in your own ability to get through obstacles. Faith is a gut feeling that it will all be okay. Faiith is a word that represents the courageous act of living. To hope for the best, even during the worst times. To believe that whatever you're going through now will have its value and meaning later.
In the spirit of Halloween, I decided to do a set for each of the kids who were rotten to the core:
Mal's outfit is a simple dress with a black leather jacket. Her earrings are the exact product used in the film, and I used her icon for the background.
Evie is a fan of mirrors, so her look, a coronation dress costume and a few details (the blue hair and nail polish) was easy to organise. The necklace is a fan made product on etsy, and the tiara and bracelet are random finds on Polyvore.
Carlos didn't even have a costume! So I used a simple color palatte from his formal outfit in the film. I added the stuffed dog for a prop, and used a black and white background for obvious reasons.
These sets were a lot of fun to make, and I hope I did each character justice. I might do a set for the Auradon Prep kids in the future. If you have any requests, let me know. :)
I watched Treasure Planet today. It's been a while since I saw that movie, but I did remember that Silver tells Jim to never give up.
He tells him, "You've got the makings of greatness in you, but you've got to take the helm and chart your own course. Stick to it no matter the squalls, and when the time comes you get the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you're made of . . . well, I hope I'm there catching some of the light coming off you that day."
He tells Jim this, after Jim gives up his dream and tells himself that he can't do anything right.
We all reach these moments in our lives, but it's important to stick to our goals no matter what.
I know it's hard. No one said it would be easy. I know it's tough and the path is not a clear road that you can see, but if you chart your own course and stay true to your goal, anything is possible.
Cheesy, I know, but I live off these beliefs. I live off these dreams. And I believe that it is possible.
This is what makes Disney so special to me, and it's always there to help me push on, even after a rough day.
I will get there. I'll never give up. My course may not be straight forward, but it's there. And as long as I call the shots, I'll find a way to make my dream come true.
Disney is the destination, but getting there is the meaning of the journey.
Don't give up on your dream. You never know what light will shine off you, and how much of a difference you can make in this world.
Problem solving does not always have a straightforward solution. Although we are taught to look at things in a specific way, sometimes life just isn't that simple. We can get so caught up in the goal that we can miss the solution right in front of us. That's when it's time to step back and look at the problem in a new way.
Disney's Big Hero 6 does a great job demonstrating what happens when you think outside the box.
Hiro is trying to come up with something that will impress his brother's "nerd school" so he can start making great inventions like his brother. He hits a road block and becomes frustrated when he tries to come up with something amazing, but Tadashi tells him something really important.
"Look for a new angle."
This approach to problems is not always easy.
Dan Pink explains this using what is called "The Candle Problem", a different way, and less common approach to problem solving.
When it comes to careers and choices, life is more of a candle problem, and it's more difficult to find the box. This is especially true when it comes to career goals. There's never one set path, and it may take failure and set backs before you can see the solution.
In many cases, obstacles that seem daunting can actually be the solution that we need to move toward the goal.
When life gives us candle problems, it usually adds a deadline, and enormous pressure to get the work done, but if we take a step back, the solution may not be as straightforward, or even as difficult as we have originally thought.
When we look at things from a new angle, take a step back and stop focusing on what we think will reach the goal, the solution could be right in front of us.
Okay. I'll admit that when I first saw the pictures for the film, I was not so sure about it. I was already invested in Once Upon A Time, Ever After High, and following the University Ever After web series. All are good by the way.
Descendants has a few similarities to Ever After High. But fairytales have been around for generations.
Mal is Malificent's daughter, and the narrator of the story. She has a big name to live up to, and she's constantly putting pressure on herself to live up to her mother's name. She starts out living under her mother's shadow, along with Evie, the Evil Queen's daughter, Carlos, Cruella DeVil's son and Jay, Jafar's son. As the villians pressure their kids to be like them, the kids show off their own hobbies, but none of them are thrilled when they have to live among the goody goodies of the world.
Ben, Beauty and the Beast's son invites the kids to have a second chance, and to write their own stories. But the kids see this as an opportunity to make their parents proud.
Malificent is, of course, the mastermind and her plan is for the kids to steal the magic and break the barrier between the island and the kingdoms.
Mal takes it upon herself to be the leader of the operation, and they get the welcome to the school that they expect. No one wants to be with the Villians' offspring.
The only person who treats them like people at first is Ben. He really believes that they will try their best to be good students and decide what they want to do in their own lives, without the bad influence of their parents. As time passes, Mal is torn between knowing good from bad, and the call of her heart versus the call of her head.
This movie was several things:
1. Disney having fun with Disney- It had a similar atmosphere as Enchanted, with a High School twist.
2. A character study- what are Mal and company really like? Who will they choose to be?
3. A commentary on the power of choosing who you are.
4. A fun musical: If Only and Did I Mention are my favorites :)
If Only (Spoilers)
Did I mention (Spoilers)
I enjoyed this movie. Especially for what it was, and I hope that I can help write the sequel. It would be fun to explore what happens next, as the second generation decides who they want to be.
I give it five out of five chocolate chip cookies. :)
(Warning: Some explicit language)
Storytelling is a complex craft, but this TED Talk by Andrew Stanton is inspiring. These elements are not always easy to create or find in stories, but they are worth it.
As I write stories, I try to keep these elements in mind, and I admire these elements in some of my favorite books, movies, TV shows and video games.
This movie was one of my favorites as a kid, and the instrumental gets stuck in my head all the time. It's a fun score and I write to it often, especially during exciting scenes.
The Great Mouse Detective was released on this day in 1986. I still watch it from time to time, and this score still gets me whenever I hear it.
Last night I saw an imaginative, honest film about the world of emotions, Inside Out.
It will be difficult to review this title without using spoilers, but I will try.
Riley is an eleven year old girl: bright, goofy and caring. She has five emotions who take care of her: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. Each emotion cares for Riley in their own way by activating the consul in her mind, but Joy has been there from the beginning. Joy is in charge, and most of Riley's memories involve Joy, including the very first memory Riley had when she was born. Then there's Sadness. Sadness is not very happy, and Joy likes happy. Whenever Sadness creeps in, Joy tries to push her out. But Sadness is an emotion, and she has a purpose, just like Fear, Disgust, Anger and Joy. In Riley's head, her emotions tie to specific memories, which create thoughts, ideas and actions. But Joy barely allows Sadness to affect Riley, and the problem begins when Sadness tries to run the show.
Since Riley turned eleven, Joy has been in control of her core memories, the memories that make Riley who she is. Each core memory creates an island of Riley's complex personality and helps Riley live from day to day, solving problems and creating actions.
Sadness tries to touch a core memory, and Joy panics.
That emotion surrounds the core memory, and Riley begins to cry. As Joy and Sadness try to control the core memories, Riley embarrasses herself on her first day of school.
Joy and Sadness get sucked in the memory tube, and they are thrown into a pile of memories, all organized in the long term part of Riley's brain.
Without Joy or Sadness, Riley's emotions go out of balance and chaos ensues. As Joy and Sadness try to return to the headquarters, where the emotions live, they must learn to work together and find a way to keep Riley healthy and happy.
But the longer Joy and Sadness are away from the consul, the weirder Riley begins to act, and the more strange her actions become. After all, the only emotions at the consul are Disgust, Fear and Anger.
This movie was amazing. From the way emotions are portrayed to work, and the fact that Riley's head is not the only head we enter. We see glimpses of the way her mother and father organize their emotions, and we learn that each consul is different, with a different emotion in charge. These emotions are a team who work together, and each functions in a way that keeps Riley happy. As the movie takes us through Riley's head, from imagination land to the subconscious, we see Riley learn to cope with moving to a new school, and trying to stay happy for her parents. But sometimes you need to express emotions that are neglected in order to move on.
I give this movie five out of five imaginary friends. It's a story within a story about learning, growing and adapting to change.
