Guess the movie off of these clues: "talking mouse, character shaped hole"

How confident are you in your skills to guess a Disney movie by just a simple clue? For example, if someone showed you a clip from a film, could you guess it just by that one scene? From a photo? Do you think you could guess the movie still if someone were to give you key parts of the plot? In this BuzzFeed quiz, they give you five key phrases from the plot of a Disney movie and ask you to guess it solely based off of those clues. As an avid Disney movie watcher, I thought that it would be easy, but I was sorely wrong. The clues are strange and very vague, making it feel impossible to guess and even think of a movie to enter in the box. I challenge you to see how well you can guess these movies, and wish you the best of luck in the process!

https://www.buzzfeed.com/sarahwillson/half-dressed-cartoon-animal?origin=filqui&utm_term=.vgyzl3B1K#.sl4JZV6p0

"The Lion King" - battle of class uprisings or family issues?

Ever since the release of Disney’s The Lion King, historians and others alike have been trying to figure out what exactly the representation of the elephant graveyard and its hyenas really mean in relation to Pride Rock. Many have come to the conclusion that Pride Rock is meant to symbolize “suburbia”, or where the white elite live (the lions), whereas the elephant graveyard is the inner city, where the blacks and Latino’s live (hyenas). Robert Gooding-Williams agreed with this idea in his essay called, “ Disney in Africa and the Inner City: on Race and Space in The Lion King”. He argued that Disney “marked the elephant graveyard as inner city” through the hyenas in their voices and actions. Whoopi Goldberg and Cheech Marin are the voice actors for two of the hyenas, giving them a “black English and Latino slang”, whereas the majority of the characters living in Pride Rock are voiced by white actors. By placing the black and Latino characters in a place where ‘the light doesn’t touch’, this is signifying the divide between the two places, the dark and dismal elephant graveyard versus the beauty of the Pride Lands. In the scene where Scar is singing “Be Prepared”, Gooding-Williams states that as the hyenas are goose-stepping before Scar, which symbolizes Hitler at Nuremburg overseeing his troops, a connection to the inner city projects is made. “It depicts the building in which the hyenas live in as a bleak-looking and overcrowded hi-rise, the unambiguous image of a housing development in the projects.”  Gooding-Williams goes on to describe Scar as a “political revolutionary who thinks historically”, and as someone who wants to “end the otherwise endless reproduction of a natural course of life”, aka, the ‘circle of life’.

             Arguing against the views of Gooding-Williams is John Morton, who believes that The Lion King isn’t depicting a political battle of the classes, but is strictly showing a familial battle. In his essay, “Simba’s Revolution: Revisiting History and Class in The Lion King”, Morton begins by actually agreeing with some of the points Gooding-Williams made about the representation of class and how The Lion King’s Africa “is a natural paradise articulated by a stable social order benevolently dominated by lions and excluding a ‘ghetto’ containing an underclass of scavenging hyenas.” But, that is the line where Morton stops and begins his true argument against the ideas of Gooding-Williams, that the battle being fought is not based upon class upheaval and does not make Scar a historical figure. Gooding-Williams implies that those living outside of Pride Rock, namely the hyenas, are the social outcasts who join with Scar in his “historical revolution” to usurp the oppressing elite of Pride Rock (Mufasa). Morton disagrees with this, and states that Gooding-Williams’ argument about those living outside of Pride Rock being pitted against those who live in it crumbles when Timon and Pumbaa are mentioned. They are two primary characters who Gooding-Williams failed to mention that don’t live at Pride Rock, but who are perfectly content with their lives and even pair up with those of the supposed “elite” class (Simba).

For this story to be a true historical class rivalry, it would have to be a battle of a lower-level food chain group trying to usurp those at the top of the food chain, when really it is just against two characters who are both at the top of the food chain. If Scar wasn’t depicted as a lion, and was maybe a hyena, and wanted to raise the station of the hyenas, then yes, the conflict could be defined as a historical revolution, but because he is in the same class as Simba and Mufasa, and because he did not have any desire to raise the hyena’s status, then it remains simply a familial battle. Personally, I agree with Morton rather than Gooding-Williams because his argument was convincing enough to disprove all of Gooding-Williams’ points, and because Scar’s motives were purely to reign over his brother and nephew, not having in mind to raise the status of the hyenas.

Sven and Mushu for the Win

With every great Disney princess or prince, there is almost always a bumbling and hilarious sidekick right by there side. They are supportive, loyal, a tad air-headed, but when the time comes for it, they can be fighting machines. For instance, Timon and Pumbaa are some of Disney's most famous sidekicks, and while they are clue-less at times, they were still able to defeat and throw the hyenas out of the cave.  So, who is your favorite pair of sidekicks?

Is it Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King?

Is it Olaf and Sven from Frozen? 

Is it Mushu and Cri-Kee from Mulan?

Is it Maximus or Pascal from Tangled?

or is it Cogsworth and Lumiere Beauty and the Beast?

Misheard Disney Lyrics

Have you ever listened to a song and were convinced it said one thing, when really it said something completely different? This happened to me with the song "Replay" by Iyaz ft. Sean Kingston. There is a line that says"

"Na na na na everyday

 Like my iPod stuck on replay, replay-ay-ay-ay."

But, I thought it said "like my eyeball stuck on my face." Yes, I know that is VERY wrong and every time I sang that song I would question that line (because, yes, your eyeball is on your face, where else would it be?), but, the point is, is that I was convinced that even though it was weird, those were the right lyrics. In this BuzzFeed video, they sing popular Disney songs that have commonly misheard lyrics in them, and it is delightful. I know I am not the only one who has mixed up lyrics before, so this video is very relatable and very funny. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlmsM7RtsIM 

Who wouldn't want to be a Disney Princess / Prince (part 2)

Earlier last week, I posted a video from BuzzFeed of women getting transformed into their ideal Disney princess caricatures. It was inspiring, creative, and overall a really fun video to watch. But, what made it even better was that they also did this with some guys from BuzzFeed (but as a prince, not a princess)! They took the same Disney cartoon designer and each guy would describe to him what their ideal Disney Prince would look like. Just as he did in the first video, the cartoonist created fantastic caricatures that perfectly embodied exactly what each guy described. Even if you did not watch the princess video from earlier, I suggest watching this one anyways because its just so interesting to see their ideas come to life on paper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFfIiZs__2k

NAAAA-ZABINYAAAA VAVAVICHI BABA

What do you first think about when you think of Disney’s The Lion King? My ignorant mind immediately starts chanting, what I think are the words, NAAAA-ZABINYAAAA VAVAVICHI BABA, but in real life, they are actually “ Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba”. Others may think of Timon and Pumbaa, of Scar and Simba battling it out on Pride Rock, or, on a more depressing note (!!spoiler!!), Mufasa’s traumatizing death. Whatever you may think of, each of those quotes or scenes play a very important role in The Lion King as a whole, and influence how each character acts, thinks, and responds to things. I think that the characters in The Lion King are some of the most well-known and beloved characters in all of Disney, but I also think that the supporting characters play an even more important role than that of the main characters in amusing the audience, and that is due to their comical nature and gut-busting behavior. Take Timon and Pumbaa, for instance. 

They are always expressing an emotion to the extreme, whether its laughing or crying, and in the process, they never fail to miss a meal. Even the evil hyenas are well-known for their quirky jokes and antics. Yes, Simba, Mufasa, and Scar are all very important characters and drive the entire plot, but I believe that the supporting characters were made purely as entertainment for the audience, to lighten the mood and distract them from the seriousness of the main characters situation (i.e. liven up the movie).

Timon and Pumbaa are two of the oddest, funniest, hungriest, and most supportive friends that anyone could have. Although they are, at times, dumbfounded by easy tasks or are blinded by their self-centeredness, they can be relied upon to be there when you need it most. For instance, even though they did not initially chase after the buzzards and vultures (or as they called it, “Bowling for Buzzards”) to save Simba, they decided, in the end, to rescue Simba and raise him as their own son (and also as their bodyguard). But, in my opinion, their true glory moments were both while they were singing. Their first major performance was in “Hakuna Matata”, a song promoting their hippie-themed, care-free-lifestyle.

“It means no worries

For the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!”

Their other major moment was while they were helping Simba get to Scar by distracting the hyenas with a hula dance.

Timon:	Hyenas. I hate hyenas. {To Simba, whispering} So what's your plan for gettin' past those guys?
Simba:	Live bait.
Timon:	Good idea. {Realizing} Heeey.
Simba:	Come on, Timon-- you guys have to create a diversion.
Timon:	{Incredulous} What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?

This is honestly my favorite seen out of the entire movie because 1) its hilarious (duh), 2) it is totally unexpected, so it makes it even funnier, and 3) it’s a true testament to how loyal they are to Simba and what a true friendship should look like. Now, onto the hyenas. They are a group of bumbling, stupid, clumsy, and hungry siblings that are, ironically, just as loyal to each other as Timon and Pumbaa are to Simba. Both of their funniest moments, in my opinion, are as they are chasing Simba and others through the Elephant Graveyard and out of the Pride Lands. In this scene, Mufasa has just arrived to save Simba and Nala from the hyenas:

Mufasa:	{Half roar} Silence!
Banzai:	Oh, we're gonna shut up right now.
Shenzi:	Calm down. We're really sorry.
Mufasa:	If you ever come near my son again...
Shenzi:	Oh this is... this is your son?!?
Banzai:	Oh, your son?
Shenzi:	Did you know that?
Banzai:	No... me? I-I-I didn't know it. No. Did you?
Shenzi:	No! Of course not.
Banzai:	No.
Shenzi and Banzai:	Ed?
Ed:	{Stupidly nods yes}

            My other favorite scene is right after Simba jumps into the briar patch, and the hyenas realize too late that with the combination of their current speed and size, it was inevitable that at least one of them was going in the patch. 

Shenzi:	{Seeing Simba emerge from the far side of the briars into the desert} Hey-- There he goes! There he goes!
Banzai:	{Removing thorns} So go get 'im.
Shenzi:	There ain't no way I'm going in there. What, you want me to come out there looking like you? Cactus Butt?
Banzai:	{Spitting out thorns into Ed's laughing face; Ed lets out a small yelp of pain} We gotta finish the job.
Shenzi:	Well, he's as good as dead out there anyway. And IF he comes back, we'll kill 'im.
Banzai:	{Shouting} Yeah! you hear that? If you ever come back, we'll kill ya!!!

The Lion King is full of fascinating animation, hilarious content, and overall wonderful values in friendship and family. Although there are many controversies behind the voice actors, character representations, and such, I still love this movie and would recommend it to anyone of any age. 

I Knew Percy Wasn't Inherently Evil

These are my honest thoughts and observations as I watch Pocahontas:

·      The beginning made me initially think of the Little Mermaid because they both start off with seagulls flying past and cawing.

·      Notice how they make all the other men not as good looking (add facial hair, bulkier, cockney accents, etc.) than the hero, John Smith.

·      The moment you see that carriage barreling through the streets, you know that whoever is in it must be the supposed bad guy or villain

·      Oh wow, I forgot how flamboyant Governor Ratcliffe was … OH A DOG YAY

·     

This is another perfect example of how Disney feminizes their male villains too. He has braids and bows in his hair, he is overdressed in purple-pink (compared to the other men in blue and brown), and has no trimmed features like the other men do (well-fed)

·      Gosh this movie has sooo many editing similarities as the Little Mermaid. The ship in a storm scene is almost identical seeming

·     Ironic how John Smith is the only man who can secure the cannons in the storm, when there are plenty others around to help. But hey, he is the hero. And a cute one at that.

·      Aw, please don’t leave him behind to drown !! Oh dang, that’s impressive. YGG Smith

·      Of course, Gov. Ratcliffe “didn’t notice” the storm.

·      I never noticed until now, but his little henchman is quite feminine as well. Very skinny, has a higher pitched voice, is clumsy, etc.

·      Oh no, I forgot that this dog is supposed to be evil too … Disney must’ve designed his personality around that of a cat’s

·      Hundreds of new lands you say? Hmm ok. There are only 195 countries in the world today, and I know back in the 1800s, there were definitely less than 195.

·      If a viewer didn’t have any prior knowledge of native Americans before seeing this movie, at this point you would certainly think they were savages

·      Oh wait, here come the Indians, yess

·      Again, why do they have to make every female look pretty much the same?

·      Ah, I love the part where the woman is so excited to see her (presumed) husband that she rushes and knocks them both in the water. Very cute

·      AGAIN! Just like Ariel had missed her welcoming ceremony thing to explore, Pocahontas misses the return of her father and the men because she is exploring

Hahaha Miko’s response to Pocahontas marrying Kocoum is wonderful 

·      AHHH Yes Flit and Miko !!! they are adorable omg

·      Omg omg PANIC ATTACK nope would never jump off a cliff that large. Only in Disney movies could someone actually survive that

·      Miko is me jumping off the water fall. At first thinks it is going to be fun, then IMMEDIATELY regrets it and flops

·      I appreciate Pocahontas’ sarcasm, especially about Kocoum

·      Another example of how Disney creates similar characters in their movies à the father/chief wants his daughter to marry

·      This animation is so colorful!

·      Oh, I feel another song coming on! “Just around the river benndddddd”

·      Why does this girl love danger? First jumping off waterfalls and now white-water rafting

·      Where can you get a wise talking tree?   

·      Aww love at first sight (kinda)

·      Miko is just so adorable

·      It’s so sad to see them tear apart the land for nothing

·      Aww it really is love, or wonder, at first sight!

·      Smart Pocahontas, run !

·      Ugh, not smart, don’t trust strangers ! yes, he’s cute but that doesn’t excuse him for anything

·      How did she just learn English ?

·      NO DON’T SHOOT

·      “a man is not a man until he knows how to shoot.” …. Wow ok. And is a woman not a woman unless she knows how to cook?

·      I think Flit is definitely the brains in the bunch

·      OH, bad wording John. Don’t call them savages or claim that you know better 1) because you really don’t know better and 2) she’s a woman, we are almost always right 

·      Boom. Tell him Pocahontas !! “But still I cannot see, if the savage one is me. How can there be so much that you don’t know?”

·      Nakoma’s reactions to seeing John, then Pocahontas saying she’s already met him, and so forth, are so funny! 

·      I love Pocahontas’ reaction to John seeing Grandmother willow show her face to him, he’s so freaked out haha

·      These poor Indians have no idea what they are getting into.

·      Also, poor Kocoum doesn’t have any idea that Pocahontas is a lost cause  

·      I think Miko is my spirit animal. Clumsy and always eating

·      Gov. Ratcliffe should think twice before he says anything more about this land being his because all his lazy bum has done is eat and complain, whereas everyone else has been slaving away

·      Ok Pocahontas, you really didn’t see this coming? You kiss a “bad guy” in your people’s eyes WHEN YOU ARE ENGAGED to another, and its honestly surprising that your fiancé comes to fight the bad guy ?

·      Watching this movie is making me realize how much my opinions have changed since I was 10. I am now siding with the chief and believe that marrying Kocoum would be best when I used to adore John (don’t get me wrong, I still do), but he just needs to pack his stuff and go before war starts

·      I’m so conflicted watching this fight! Can they both just live, PLEASE

·      NO ugh why couldn’t they just let them both live !! poor Kocoum didn’t deserve this fate.

·      I really hate to say it, but Pocahontas really needs to learn the lesson of obedience  

·      Wow, why do I not remember a song sung by John Smith?? It’s so sweet. 

·      Of course, Ratcliffe takes this opportunity of John’s peril for his own bidding

·      This song reminds me a lot of “The Mob Song” from Beauty and the Beast

o   Very ironic lines saying “they are not like you and me, which means they must be evil.” (sung by ratcliffe) and “They are different than us, which means they can’t be trusted.” (sung by Kekata)

·      OH MY GOSH I never understand the purpose of the compass until now! It’s like her dream coming to life. Wow, I am so slow. (I also haven’t seen this since I was 10, so) 

·      I guess war would’ve come anyways even if Pocahontas had not met John Smith so I am now not as upset that she was so reckless at the beginning.

·      Ratcliffe strikes again with his terrible ideas. Please someone stop him

·      They don’t show bullet wounds in this movie, interesting.

·      RED EYES!! Ratcliffe had red eyes when they chained him and threw him in the boat!

·      I KNEW IT the dog couldn’t be permanently evil. He’s so sweet now

·      They kiss right there, in front of everyone…  wow bold