Swim beyond the tank with Hank in this deleted scene from #FindingDory, now on Digital HD and @DisneyAnywhere. pic.twitter.com/Uu1r3KFatw— Disney (@Disney) October 25, 2016
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Finding Dory Deleted Scene
I can kind of see why this scene was deleted... it's cute but very unnecessary, a bit repetitive, and the writing just isn't great.
Moana Song Sneak Peak
A sneak peak of a song from the new movie coming out soon, Moana, was released on the Disney twitter! The music sounds slightly different from other Disney movie music but I like it. I'm so excited for the movie to come out!
ICYMI: See a Clip of the New #Moana Song #YoureWelcome: https://t.co/E5PUvxZ7Ae pic.twitter.com/c5L3jFzuMT— Disney (@Disney) October 25, 2016
Reflection on "The 10 Biggest Disney Controversies"
I found the article called "The 10 Biggest Disney Controversies", which is a pretty self explanatory title. In this article, the author includes a quote that I believe sums up most of the controversy with Disney as a whole in two ways. The author writes, "Unfortunately, many Disney films have not aged well." I believe this is the central problem with Disney films because kids rarely watch a movie and are outraged by the racism and stereotyping- only adults have this reaction. The author did not mean for this quote to mean "aged well" as in aged with the audience, but I feel it also applies to this interpretation. The author meant that the old Disney films, such as Cinderella, are not as well received by audience's now, but why should they be expected to be? They were made for the audience in those times, so how could the writers anticipate what would be socially acceptable in the future? The answer is they could not so this is an unfair standard to hold these movies to. If these messages are so outdated why do we keep watching them today? It is because people still get enjoyment out of these movies so maybe the viewers should be held accountable for keeping the old movies relevant, because the makers movies themselves could not have anticipated them to still be watched.
Number 10 talks about the crows in Dumbo and how they were all voiced by African-American actors, and the leader is voiced by a white actor. This is certainly a controversial issue for the people who picked the voices for these roles; however, to say that these voices had any effect of the viewers of the movie would be racist in itself. The audience should in most cases not be able to tell the race of the actors by their voices. I do not remember the movie well and this may be a naive point of view but the only thing the choice in voices should effect is the internal thoughts of the company on itself, or people who happened to have heard this information.
Number 9 talks about the drug references and imagery in the movie Alice in Wonderland. Alice eats mushrooms, and the caterpillar smokes Hookah. I think that the creators of Disney movies sometimes forget that adults, although they aren't the intended audience, do also see the movies. Adults who get the references to drugs see this movie. Maybe I should write a letter to Disney to let them know.
Number 8 discusses the racism towards Native Americans in Peter Pan. The red faced are just so wrong and not even accurate. I have never met anyone with a face color of that hue, that was just a major mistake.
Number 7 talks about Lady and The Tramp and the Japanese racism shown by the siamese cats. Even though these racist ideas are awful, it is kind of interesting to see how the thoughts of the country are shown through these movies, almost like a historical record. I wonder if studying Disney movies alone could be turned into a history class.
Number 6 discusses the apes in The Jungle Book, who some say represent African-Americans in American society and their struggle to be seen as more civilized. I have seen the movie and this connection seems fairly accurate. The movie is just general enough to not blow the cover off of this racism; however, there is definitely a vibe that is felt almost as if the apes are a gang.
Number 5 talks about the phallic symbols in The Little Mermaid. Apparently the castle looks like it has a penis on it. If this is on purpose I just do not understand. Were the animators bored and wondering if anyone would catch it?
Number 4 discusses Pocahontas. I knew we weren't getting out of this list without that movie being mentioned, for obvious racial reasons. I've already talked about this one in depth- to see more on that reference my reflection on the movie.
Number 3- Aladdin. Yes, another obvious choice for the list. The racism is just laughable to Arab groups who do not even take the movie seriously. Tom Cruise was the model for Aladdin, a Middle Eastern character- enough said.
Number 2 is a movie I haven't seen commentary on before, although I can imagine what would be said: Tangled. The argument in the article is about the female villain obsessed with being young and the unfeasibly skinny, young blonde princess. I don't really think this movie should be number 2 on the list, there really isn't that much material there.
*Sound the trumpets!*
Number 1 is......... The Disney Princesses! Not a movie but all of the princesses as a whole. The Disney Princesses have been said to set a bad example for all women by conforming to stereotypes; however, I feel this view will fall out of favor because Disney is getting smarter and evolving every day. There will always be criticism because of the size of the company and its relevance to society, but hopefully the criticism will start to gain less traction as Disney improves.
Number 10 talks about the crows in Dumbo and how they were all voiced by African-American actors, and the leader is voiced by a white actor. This is certainly a controversial issue for the people who picked the voices for these roles; however, to say that these voices had any effect of the viewers of the movie would be racist in itself. The audience should in most cases not be able to tell the race of the actors by their voices. I do not remember the movie well and this may be a naive point of view but the only thing the choice in voices should effect is the internal thoughts of the company on itself, or people who happened to have heard this information.
Number 9 talks about the drug references and imagery in the movie Alice in Wonderland. Alice eats mushrooms, and the caterpillar smokes Hookah. I think that the creators of Disney movies sometimes forget that adults, although they aren't the intended audience, do also see the movies. Adults who get the references to drugs see this movie. Maybe I should write a letter to Disney to let them know.
Number 8 discusses the racism towards Native Americans in Peter Pan. The red faced are just so wrong and not even accurate. I have never met anyone with a face color of that hue, that was just a major mistake.
Number 7 talks about Lady and The Tramp and the Japanese racism shown by the siamese cats. Even though these racist ideas are awful, it is kind of interesting to see how the thoughts of the country are shown through these movies, almost like a historical record. I wonder if studying Disney movies alone could be turned into a history class.
Number 6 discusses the apes in The Jungle Book, who some say represent African-Americans in American society and their struggle to be seen as more civilized. I have seen the movie and this connection seems fairly accurate. The movie is just general enough to not blow the cover off of this racism; however, there is definitely a vibe that is felt almost as if the apes are a gang.
Number 5 talks about the phallic symbols in The Little Mermaid. Apparently the castle looks like it has a penis on it. If this is on purpose I just do not understand. Were the animators bored and wondering if anyone would catch it?
Number 4 discusses Pocahontas. I knew we weren't getting out of this list without that movie being mentioned, for obvious racial reasons. I've already talked about this one in depth- to see more on that reference my reflection on the movie.
Number 3- Aladdin. Yes, another obvious choice for the list. The racism is just laughable to Arab groups who do not even take the movie seriously. Tom Cruise was the model for Aladdin, a Middle Eastern character- enough said.
Number 2 is a movie I haven't seen commentary on before, although I can imagine what would be said: Tangled. The argument in the article is about the female villain obsessed with being young and the unfeasibly skinny, young blonde princess. I don't really think this movie should be number 2 on the list, there really isn't that much material there.
*Sound the trumpets!*
Number 1 is......... The Disney Princesses! Not a movie but all of the princesses as a whole. The Disney Princesses have been said to set a bad example for all women by conforming to stereotypes; however, I feel this view will fall out of favor because Disney is getting smarter and evolving every day. There will always be criticism because of the size of the company and its relevance to society, but hopefully the criticism will start to gain less traction as Disney improves.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
The Jungle Book was Released Today!.. 49 Years Ago
Did you know The Jungle Book was the last movie Walt Disney oversaw? This short informational video is worth the watch!
Swing into fun today! #TheJungleBook pic.twitter.com/YxYHSP2TBf— Disney (@Disney) October 19, 2016
Reading Response to Li- Vollmer
I enjoy Meredith Li-Vollmer and Mark E. Lapointe's "Gender Transgression and Villainy in Animated Film" for the most part and think the organization of the scholarly argument is very neat and easy to understand. The format had headings and the essay started off with a lot of definitions, background information, and even a literature review. Then when Vollmer moved into the analysis section of her argument, she broke it up into six parts: "Physical Characteristics," "Costuming and Props," "Nonverbal Gestures and Body Position," "Activities," "Dialogue," and "Queering." Vollmer was analyzing a large sample of movies (10 animated movies) so organization is key in this essay. This method of organization also was a limitation in that it serviced to hide the fact that her examples were somewhat superficial and excused her from needing to go into deep analysis of how each movie has evidence of gender transgression.
The author's discussion of gender roles as a social construct is a good point that thoroughly relates to many conversations about gender and sex occurring in the world right now. Vollmer explains that our idea of what is "natural" is skewed by the conventions already set in place by society. I support this argument and wish it was more prominent and well-known to help those that struggle with gender identity. This point can be used to show that people do not need to identify with a different gender in order to do things/appear in a way that is unconventional for their gender. If more people realized that gender roles are simply constructs made up by society, fewer would feel the need to identify with the opposite gender in order to feel comfortable with themselves. Identifying with another gender is not to be confused with wanting a sex change, as these are completely different entities.
I appreciate the inclusion of the quote by Gross and Woods which asserts that abnormality is not a societal flaw, but just a societal label. This argument could also be used for a villain. Villains are typically believed to be societal mistakes; however, this new point of view would say they are only seen that way because they are different. Just because their beliefs do not conform with everyone else's does not mean they are "evil."
I liked Vollmer's inclusion of the definition of "Queer Theories" and also how she explained which definition she would be using to make her argument in the analysis section. She explained the word in terms of the LGBT community, and in general terms of it just meaning "different." I did not know the general definition so the inclusion of this background information made her argument more clear and understandable to the reader.
Overall, I liked the argument and I agree with the thesis; however, the evidence was weak in some places and I did not like how she went from strongest point to weakest point in her analysis. This leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied at the end of the essay instead of building up to the "ah ha!" moment where the reader that maybe was skeptical before finally gets on board.
The author's discussion of gender roles as a social construct is a good point that thoroughly relates to many conversations about gender and sex occurring in the world right now. Vollmer explains that our idea of what is "natural" is skewed by the conventions already set in place by society. I support this argument and wish it was more prominent and well-known to help those that struggle with gender identity. This point can be used to show that people do not need to identify with a different gender in order to do things/appear in a way that is unconventional for their gender. If more people realized that gender roles are simply constructs made up by society, fewer would feel the need to identify with the opposite gender in order to feel comfortable with themselves. Identifying with another gender is not to be confused with wanting a sex change, as these are completely different entities.
I appreciate the inclusion of the quote by Gross and Woods which asserts that abnormality is not a societal flaw, but just a societal label. This argument could also be used for a villain. Villains are typically believed to be societal mistakes; however, this new point of view would say they are only seen that way because they are different. Just because their beliefs do not conform with everyone else's does not mean they are "evil."
I liked Vollmer's inclusion of the definition of "Queer Theories" and also how she explained which definition she would be using to make her argument in the analysis section. She explained the word in terms of the LGBT community, and in general terms of it just meaning "different." I did not know the general definition so the inclusion of this background information made her argument more clear and understandable to the reader.
Overall, I liked the argument and I agree with the thesis; however, the evidence was weak in some places and I did not like how she went from strongest point to weakest point in her analysis. This leaves the reader feeling unsatisfied at the end of the essay instead of building up to the "ah ha!" moment where the reader that maybe was skeptical before finally gets on board.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Pocahontas Reflection
I had never even seen Pocahontas before I watched it for this class and I do not think I was really missing out. This movie almost felt like watching a documentary and seems like one of those obligatory movies Disney had to make to show its respect for Native Americans. However, something I did enjoy in this movie is that Pocahontas chooses her family instead of love. When John Smith is shot and has to go back to England to get treated, he foolishly asks her to go with him. John Smith probably would have died on the boat back and Pocahontas would be stuck in England without knowing the culture, or anyone there. She would have abandoned her family for nothing, so I am very proud of her for choosing the realistic prospect and not letting herself be influenced by love, as John clearly was.
I was surprised at the violence in this movie. I could not believe that there was a real death of a non-villainous character in the movie: Kocoum. It was shocking that Disney would include a real murder with a gun in a Disney movie. If there is death in Disney movies, usually it's the villain that dies and usually in a magical or non violent way, like by falling off a cliff or being poisoned.
I also found the skin color of the white people interesting in this movie. The villain, Governor Ratcliffe, had reddish skin, while a good character, John Smith, had normal colored skin for a white person. Even though the movie villainizes the white people for once in a Disney movie, they did not even make the villain truly white. Also there were some things in the movie I could see Native Americans taking offense to, such as, the talking tree. While Native Americans are very connected to nature and believe all living things have a spirit, they might find it a bit offensive to take it to the extreme and accuse them of believing a tree can actually talk to them. I could see that being interpreted the wrong way; however, it is a children's movie after all. Also, I noticed in one of the first few scenes that all of the Native American women looked the same- the only differentiators being weight and hairstyles. I think the animators could have put a little more time into that scene.
Russell Means, an Ogala/Lakota Sioux Indian and the first national director of the American Indian Movement, plays the part of Powhatan, Pocahontas's father in the movie. I find this very surprising because I did not look this up until after the movie because when I was watching I kept thinking about how Powhatan did not sound Native American at all. I guess this shows what I know about Native American culture and their accents.
I found the revolt against Governor Ratcliffe at the end of the movie very unrealistic. In real life, the movie would have ended with the British army slaughtering the Native Americans leaving no survivors. But this is Disney so that is not what happens in the movie.
Aladdin Reflection
So Jasmine is the Disney princess I got when I took the quiz. I am excited to see how true her character really is to my personality because I do not remember this movie- like at all. It's interesting how man in turban in the beginning breaks the fourth wall in order to explain historical setting/context of movie. This was probably a good idea because the target audience of the movie (kids) probably do not know much about this background information.
The beginning of the movie is a bit scary as it starts from the villain's point of view, something most Disney movies do not do. I never really hear of Aladdin as any kids favorite Disney movie which is understandable because Jafar is a pretty scary villain. I find it interesting that Aladdin has a narrow face, a pointy chin, and steals: all traits of a villain. I think Aladdin does not look like the typical hero with and wide jawbone because he is poor which makes him a different kind of hero in the eyes of Disney.
Aladdin equates being rich in the beginning of the movie with happiness because he is poor and does not know that money will not change his state of mind. When Jasmine is in her backyard she opens a bird cage and sets all of them free. This is very clear symbolism for her because she feels she is trapped and tries to run away to set herself free. In the movie Aladdin and Jasmine each possess freedom, but they have different kinds of freedom. Aladdin has "freedom to" in the beginning of the movie, meaning he has the freedom to choose what he does and Jasmine has "freedom from," meaning she has the freedom from making choices and gets to live lavishly as a princess in the castle. Aladdin thinks he wants this "freedom from" until the end of the movie when he finds out he is to be the sultan and does not want this responsibility. He ideally wanted to be as rich as a sultan, but does not want the actual job.
Aladdin cracks open a watermelon with his knee in the movie- thats not very realistic. How hard would it be to have him throw it on the ground or something a little more believable?
And like all typical Disney movies, Aladdin makes a deal to get the person he loves and gives up what the romantic interest found to be a redeemable quality in them. Aladdin asks The Genie to make him a typical prince, exactly what Jasmine does not want in a mate- she wants love. This is just like how Ariel gives up her voice in The Little Mermaid when Prince Eric only wanted her for her voice.
This movie reminds me of the story of Purim so I looked it up and similarities between Disney movies and the torah/bible have been drawn. In the story of Purim, Haman, the King's evil advisor, wants to hang Mordechai and Queen Ester steps in and tells the King of his evil plan. Haman manipulates the King just like how Jafar hypnotizes the Sultan with his snake staff.
This link has more information on the comparisons.
About the discussion of race in this movie, it is interesting how there are many references to Western culture in the movie, especially seen in the character of The Genie. The Genie pretends to host game shows and even throws Aladdin the Macy's Day Parade. They even have the reporter with ear muffs from the parade in the movie, equating Aladdin's richness and success with Western themes.
The beginning of the movie is a bit scary as it starts from the villain's point of view, something most Disney movies do not do. I never really hear of Aladdin as any kids favorite Disney movie which is understandable because Jafar is a pretty scary villain. I find it interesting that Aladdin has a narrow face, a pointy chin, and steals: all traits of a villain. I think Aladdin does not look like the typical hero with and wide jawbone because he is poor which makes him a different kind of hero in the eyes of Disney.
Aladdin equates being rich in the beginning of the movie with happiness because he is poor and does not know that money will not change his state of mind. When Jasmine is in her backyard she opens a bird cage and sets all of them free. This is very clear symbolism for her because she feels she is trapped and tries to run away to set herself free. In the movie Aladdin and Jasmine each possess freedom, but they have different kinds of freedom. Aladdin has "freedom to" in the beginning of the movie, meaning he has the freedom to choose what he does and Jasmine has "freedom from," meaning she has the freedom from making choices and gets to live lavishly as a princess in the castle. Aladdin thinks he wants this "freedom from" until the end of the movie when he finds out he is to be the sultan and does not want this responsibility. He ideally wanted to be as rich as a sultan, but does not want the actual job.
Aladdin cracks open a watermelon with his knee in the movie- thats not very realistic. How hard would it be to have him throw it on the ground or something a little more believable?
And like all typical Disney movies, Aladdin makes a deal to get the person he loves and gives up what the romantic interest found to be a redeemable quality in them. Aladdin asks The Genie to make him a typical prince, exactly what Jasmine does not want in a mate- she wants love. This is just like how Ariel gives up her voice in The Little Mermaid when Prince Eric only wanted her for her voice.
This movie reminds me of the story of Purim so I looked it up and similarities between Disney movies and the torah/bible have been drawn. In the story of Purim, Haman, the King's evil advisor, wants to hang Mordechai and Queen Ester steps in and tells the King of his evil plan. Haman manipulates the King just like how Jafar hypnotizes the Sultan with his snake staff.
This link has more information on the comparisons.
About the discussion of race in this movie, it is interesting how there are many references to Western culture in the movie, especially seen in the character of The Genie. The Genie pretends to host game shows and even throws Aladdin the Macy's Day Parade. They even have the reporter with ear muffs from the parade in the movie, equating Aladdin's richness and success with Western themes.
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