Disney Favorites

Hello! Still on my Disney streak. I promised in my last post that I would expound on my Disney love, so here we are. I made a post similar to this about a year ago, but it was rather biased because Tangled had just come out and I was on a MASSIVE Tangled-obssession streak. Therefore, I decided to do another one, now that I've had time to cool down and think about other movies and aspects of those movies more ^_^

(WARNING: Very long post ahead.)

1) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIE?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Say what, Kelsi? Of all the movies, you pick THAT one? I know, I know, it seems a little weird. It's never been a super popular one. Usually people say their favorite is Aladdin, or The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid, or something. Not me though. I like this one for a number of reasons: The music is just plain EPIC, the animation is stunning, none of the characters are boring, the villain is extremely creepy and threatening, and it has a very dark theme, making it very different from the other Disney movies in the Disney Renaissance era (aka 1989-1999). I kind of like the darkish theme, (even though it's very toned up compared to the book) it makes it a little more intense and exciting. The part where Quasimodo rescues Esmerelda from the stake then climbs back into the cathedral and raises her above his head shouting "SANCTUARY!" just gives me chills! Everything about the film is just epic and sends shivers down my spine; the gothic-style music with the chorus and chanting can be beautiful and/or intense and always brings the mood. In summary, this movie is awesome!

2) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE HEROINE?

Ariel.

Since there was no princess question, I'll just put my favorite princess here. Even after Tangled, Rapunzel did not manage to creep her way into top spot of my favorite princess. Actually, since this is a "favorite heroine" question, Esmerelda from HBoND is a big competitor for number one. Alas, Ariel still wins. Her singing voice is my favorite singing voice out of the princess's (my favorite speaking voice is Rapunzel's, but that's for another questionnaire I filled out). I love her big blue eyes and her bright red hair. She's the first princess with real spunk and independence and I love it!

3) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY HERO?

Flynn Rider.

I've put a lot of thought into this and have decided that it has not changed from the last time I did this. It's still Flynn Rider. (I'm going to call him Flynn and not Eugene since that's Disney's official name for him.) I like him for a good number of reasons, hence he is my favorite. He starts out a bit overconfident, cocky (just look at that grin in the above picture), and full of himself, but not in a disgusting way. It's sort of comical. He's sarcastic, witty, quick-thinking, and a bit of a jokester. However, he's got a soft side that Rapunzel unearths. He becomes a lot more considerate and sweet. He almost turns into a complete romantic sap, except for he still keeps his sarcasm, joking, etc. Anyways, I just love it! Plus I love his voice, speaking and singing (it has nothing to do with the fact that it's Zachary Levi *coughs*). No, but really, before I really knew who Zach was I liked his voice a lot.

4) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SIDEKICK?

Rhino.

This was a tough choice between Ray from The Princess and the Frog, and Rhino from Bolt, but eventually I decided on Rhino. He is just an entirely random, but totally genius character! I mean, a hamster in a plastic ball... named RHINO! Rhino? LOL! Why would you name your hamster "Rhino" of all things? It's just too epic! Now he is seriously the best character in the movie. I really don't even know how to begin describing him. He's just this little ball of fur who almost never leaves his plastic ball (that seems to be almost indestructible) and just does the most daring things because he "eats danger for breakfast". He's like a hamster version of me, I think. That is, in the sense that he watches TV a lot, is the ultimate fanboy and leaps at the opportunity to go with his TV hero.

5) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE VILLAIN?

Hades.

Tough, tough, TOUGH! But I eventually decided to go with Hades. (Although Maleficent has got the most boss costume and Frollo still manages to freak me out the most.) Hades is sort of a unique villain. Apparently when the writers wrote Hades, the intended for him to be a sort of slinky, dark villain. But when James Woods came in and auditioned, he made the character sound sort of like a used car salesman and the writers loved it and cast him. I love it too. He's a fast talker, using his charming words and quick tongue to keep his listener at ease with him, exactly like a salesman (he's very fast, I always miss a lot of what he's saying). While making his deals and such he usually keeps his cool, but then if something doesn't go his way, he flips his lid and explodes... literally. He's very sly though. He makes deals, making it seem like it's all good for the other person, but there's always a downside for them. I also love his design, especially his flaming hair. "Whoa! Is my hair out?" XD

6) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE COUPLE?

Rapunzel and Flynn.

Long ago I dubbed Rapunzel and Flynn the cutest Disney couple ever created and that opinion has not wavered in the slightest. They are like peanut butter and jelly, cheese and crackers, salt and pepper, fries and ketchup, bread and butter... OK, I'll stop. But really though! I don't think I really need to explain much, you just need to look at the picture I posted above to see what I mean, but I'm going to talk anyways ^_^. Their story of how they fall in love is cute, simple, and believable (not the actual Tangled story, just the romantic part). Flynn gradually starts to see that Rapunzel is not so strange and much of a nuisance and is actually a beautiful, talented girl, while Rapunzel realizes that Flynn is not such a hostile, irritating intruder, but actually a caring, sweet guy. About half way through the film is when they start being irresistibly adorable (in my opinion), starting with the campfire scene. The whole kingdom montage, their first "date" as I like to think of it as, is full of wonderfulness! And then, of course the lantern scene! I still get miffed every time the kiss doesn't happen there. But their actual kisses are very sweet (they were competitors for best kiss). Anyways, I better stop now XP

7) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DANCE SCENE?

Beauty and the Beast. (See here)

OK, so I was having the hardest time trying to pick between Beauty and the Beast's and Tangled's. They're both so different and I love them both to death. But I realized I mostly only liked Tangled's for the music rather than the actual dancing, so I put that one in a different category. So here I put Beauty and the Beast. Everything about this scene is wonderful. The song is great, the ballroom is beautiful, the "camera" movements are perfectly choreographed with the dancing, Belle's dress movements are gorgeous and fluid, and this couple are just perfect. I recently saw this movie in 3-D and this scene in particular was stunning. Anyone who disses Disney because they're "silly kid cartoons", I have to say, "DISHONOR! DISHONOR ON YOUR WHOLE FAMILY! DISHONOR ON YOU! DISHONOR ON YOUR COW!" because animation is freakin' art! This scene is proof of that.

8) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KISS?

Naveen and Tiana. (See here)

Gah! Probably the hardest question on here because I love them all! I was weighing the scale between Beauty and the Beast and The Princess and the Frog... The scale tipped towards The Princess and the Frog this time though. They were both very magical kisses, but who doesn't love a good old transformation kiss? I've figured it must have been a VERY good kiss, because neither of them noticed that they had turned back into humans until they pulled away (you'd think you'd notice something like that while you've got your lips locked with someone else's XD). But I love this kiss. I had not made the connection that since Tiana had married Naveen, she was a princess, therefore capable of breaking the spell by kissing him. I feel a little silly, because a lot of people told me that they saw it coming, but I did not. So this scene was just so epically beautiful for me! And the kiss was just so magically wonderful!

9) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY SCENE?

Mulan's ending scene. (See here)

I really don't have much to say on it. The way her father just tosses those priceless tokens aside and hugs her. "The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter." It's beautiful.

10) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EMOTIONAL SCENE?

Ray's death. (See here)

I used to think this was a hard question, but there's only one scene I can think of where I literally bawled my eyes out. That's Ray's death in The Princess and the Frog. I remember being in the theater blubbering like a baby. I mean, I've definitely cried during other scenes in other Disney movies, but there was something about this scene. It was just so unexpected and Ray was such a selfless, loving character who really didn't deserve to die. Plus it was one of those rare occasions in a Disney movie where the character dies and doesn't come back to life. Those are the worst. Even as he was dying, he expressed how happy he was that Naveen and Tiana were going to be together. I'm getting sad just writing about it. Why is that?

11) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY CHILD?

Thumper.

"If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." Thumper's awesome. He's just kind of a cute little bunny (I know he grows up and he's awesome as an adult too) and you got to respect him for being the only boy in a family of all sisters.

12) WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY ANIMAL?

Ray.

I suppose since I didn't get to put him as my favorite sidekick, I'll put him as this. Does a bug count as an animal? I say it does. Anyways, I absolutely adore Ray! I love his cajun accent, I love his big heart, I love that he's a hopeless romantic (like me), I love that he's completely selfless, and I love that he's voiced by the one and only Jim Cummings! Also, he sings one of the songs that was in competition for my favorite Disney song, Goin' Down the Bayou. I loved how he was in love with a star, thinking it was a firefly (a little shout out to another Disney movie there. Do you know which one? ;D). I was absolutely devastated when he died.

13) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY SONG?

I'll Make a Man Out of You. (Listen here)

This has not changed from before (and most likely never will). However, I Won't Say I'm in Love and Goin' Down the Bayou were fierce competitors. It is such a boss song! I have yet to meet somebody who doesn't like this song at least a little bit. Plus it is sung by none other than the fabulous Donny Osmond! Who doesn't get pumped when they hear this song? Who doesn't feel a little bit motivated? Who doesn't at least want to sing along?

14) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INSTRUMENTAL SONG?

The Kingdom Dance. (Listen here)

Too many to choose from! I'm one of those weirdos who likes listening to the instrumental soundtracks to movies. Especially Disney movies. But give me a break, most of them are by ALAN MENKEN! The guy's a genius! His hands are probably worth more than Beethoven's or Bach's (well, to me they are). Anyways, Menken did in fact compose the music for Tangled, therefore he composed The Kingdom Dance. I don't know exactly what it is, but there's something about it that just makes me want to get up and dance with it. Just the strings, the woodwinds, the everything! Its sound, it's medieval with a bit of a modern twist. And at the peak of the piece, just... ahhhh. I also love the montage in the movie and the music blends with it perfectly.

15) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTIFUL SCENE?

Lantern scene. (See here)

Another toughie. Like I said before, Disney is not just a bunch of silly cartoons. They are epic pieces of art! But I have to pick just one... the lantern scene from Tangled. I know there's a lot of Tangled on here already. I'm not being biased, my obsession is over, but this scene really is absolutely stunning. You just have to look at it to understand, I can't really describe it. The colors, the lighting, the reflections on the water, the music, and of course the falling in love ^_^.

16) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FIGHT/BATTLE?

Beauty and the Beast. (See here)

or

Robin Hood. (See here)

Honestly, this is the one time I'm allowing myself a tie. They're both hilarious and epic. Beauty and the Beast is furniture beating people up (my favorite part is the kitchen bit with the knives popping out of the drawer and the stove cackling evilly), and Robin Hood includes stuff like pie throwing, a football game, and a marriage proposal. They are just awesome, you have to watch them to fully appreciate them.

17) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FUNNY MOMENT?

The Emperor's New Groove.

What kind of a question is this!? Sooooooo hard to pick just one moment from just one movie! But I have to say just the entire movie of the Emperor's New Groove is flat out hilarious. There isn't really one moment that I can pick out. So I'm just going to say the entire movie. The whole concept is ridiculous, and the jokes are endless, there's hardly a serious moment throughout the entire movie.

18) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE FROM ANY MOVIE?

Edward: Oh, Giselle! We shall be married in the morning! (See here)

Best. Quote. Ever! The end. No argument is valid. It took me forever going through a whole bunch of quotes that I love, trying to decide which one was my favorite. However, once I thought of this one, all the other ones were out in a flash. I love this quote because it's Disney poking fun at itself (specifically Aurora and Phillip's first meeting in Sleeping Beauty. Although pretty much all the Disney movies, especially the classic ones, have the two romantic leads fall for each other and then plan to marry within a very short span of time). The way the quote is said is so hilariously overdramatic. It's just so funny. She falls out of the tree into his arms, he learns her name, and then he announces that they shall be married in the morning XD.

19) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OPENING SCENE?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame. (See here)

This hasn't changed from before. It gives me goosebumps every time. The way it starts out with the black screen and the chanting and the chiming bells. Then, 'Walt Disney Pictures', then black again. Then... BOOM! Epic chorus and a fabtabulous sky view of Notre Dame. The 'camera' zooms through the clouds and down into Paris where the narration begins through song. (Which BTW, Clopin's voice is just the most amazing thing on this planet).

20) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ENDING SCENE?

Pocahontas. (See here)

This hasn't changed either. The music is what really does it for me. It was one of the competitors for my favorite instrumental. I can't quite be sure why I like this ending so much, because it's not very happy. I guess, despite not being very happy, it's still epic beyond all reasons. Pocahontas sprints through the forest beyond her capacity until she finds herself standing on the cliff. Her hair begins to billow in the wind as the ship sails away into the sunrise, with that utterly amazing music to go with it. Yeah, I rest my case.

Favorite Disney Movies

As a Disney freak, of course I love basically ALL Disney movies, but I've still got my favorites. It was tough, but I managed to narrow it down and pick out my top 10. (I think I did this a couple years ago, but times change and opinions change).

10) Robin Hood

"Oo-de-la-lly"

(Trailer)

Little John: You know somethin', Robin. I was just wonderin', are we good guys or bad guys? You know, I mean, our robbin' the rich to feed the poor.

Robin Hood: Rob? Tsk tsk tsk. That's a naughty word. We never rob. We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.

Little John: Borrow? Boy, are we in debt.

9) The Little Mermaid

"Under the Sea"

(Trailer)

Eric: You know, I feel really bad not knowing your name. Maybe I can guess. Is it, uh... Mildred?

(Ariel looks disgusted)

Eric: Okay, no. How about Diana? Rachel?

Sebastian: (Whispering) Ariel. Her name's Ariel.

Eric: Ariel?

(Ariel nods)

Eric: Ariel? Oh. That's kind of pretty. Okay, Ariel.

8) Hercules

"Go the Distance"

(Trailer)

Hercules: Uh, uh, uh, I'm, um, uh, uh, uh...

Meg: Are you always this articulate?

Hercules: Hercules. My... my name is Hercules.

Meg: Herc... huh. I think I prefer Wonderboy.

7) Aladdin

"A Whole New World"

(Trailer)

Aladdin: You're a prisoner?

Genie: It's all part and parcel, the whole "genie gig".

PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWERS! Itty-bitty living space!

6) Sleeping Beauty

"Once Upon a Dream"

(Trailer)

Maleficent: It's *incredible*! *Sixteen years* and not a *trace* of her! She couldn't have vanished into thin air. Are you sure you searched everywhere?

Goon: Yep, yep, everywhere. We *all* did.

Maleficent: And what about the town? The forests? The *mountains*?

Goon: Yeah, we searched mountains and forests and, uh, houses and... uh, lemme see here... and all the cradles.

Maleficent: Cradle?

Goon: Yep, yep, every cradle.

Maleficent: *Cradle*! Did you hear that, my pet? All these years, they've been looking for a baby.

5) The Princess and the Frog

"Down in New Orleans"

(Trailer)

Naveen: Easy, princess! Princess! Do not panic!

Tiana: Augh! What did you do to me? I - I'm green and I'm - and I'm slimy!

Naveen: No, that is not slime.

Tiana: What?

Naveen: You are secreting mucus.

4) Mulan

"Reflection"

(Trailer)

Grandmother Fa: Great. She brings home a sword.

If you ask me, she should've brought home a man--

Shang: Excuse me. Does Fa Mulan live here?

(Grandmother and Mother stare and dumbly point to the garden)

Shang: Thank you.

Grandmother Fa: Whoo! Sign me up for the next war.

3) Beauty and the Beast

"Beauty and the Beast"

(Trailer)

Beast: (roars as Belle puts a rag on his wound) That hurts!

Belle: If you'd hold still, it wouldn't hurt as much!

Beast: If you hadn't run away, this wouldn't have happened.

Belle: If you hadn't *frightened* me, I wouldn't have run away!

Beast: Well *you* shouldn't have been in the west *wing*!

Belle: Well, *you* should learn to control your temper.

2) Tangled

"I See the Light"

(Trailer)

Flynn: You can't tell anyone about this, OK? It could ruin my whole reputation.

Rapunzel: Ah, we wouldn't want that.

Flynn: Well, a fake reputation is all a man has.

1) The Hunchback of Notre Dame

"The Bells of Notre Dame"

(Trailer)

Clopin: Now that we've seen all the evidence...

Puppet: Wait! I object!

Clopin: Overruled!

Puppet: I object!

Clopin: QUIET!

Puppet: Dang.

Clopin: We find you totally innocent... which is the worst crime of all.

Gypsies: SO YOU'RE GOING TO HANG!

I've decided to expound on my Disney love in another post (probably the next one). So, until then, I'll leave you with just this :)

Someday My Prince Will Come

One would think that since I have been lucky enough to procure one, I would dedicate a post to my new job. Ha! Yes, one would think. Alas, no, my silly mind does not work in such ways. I shall continue to bore my very few readers with the inner ramblings of my crazy mind.

So... who has missed my Disney posts? Nobody? Well, too bad because you're getting another one just the same. I've been on a little Disney streak lately, watching a bunch of princess movies mostly. I'll let you in on my thoughts as I watch each one. Throughout the film, I react appropriately; laughing, gasping, whimpering, even crying. (This is mostly when I'm watching them alone. I tone it down a bit when I watch them with other people). Then, of course at the end when the romantic leads FINALLY kiss and live happily ever after, I grin like an idiot (literally) and get all warm and fuzzy inside... Then come the after-effects.

After-effects? What are you getting on about, Kelsi? Well, after the warm and fuzzy feelings start to dim, I start to feel depressed. My thought process starts to go something like this: "Why are they so perfect for each other? Why can't I have something like that? Why are all the guys I know such dweebs? Why can't I have the perfect guy? FOREVER ALONE!". Then, of course, I always laugh at myself later... until I watch the next movie and it starts all over again. Don't judge! I just have a lot of feelings, OK?

Disney: raising our expectations of men since 1937.

No, but really though, girls! Haven't we all at some point in our lives wanted a Disney guy? I mean look at them all! (Oh yes, I'm going to break them all down. Come on, you know you want it. XD)

THE PRINCE

from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

voiced by Harry Stockwell

"One heart, tenderly beating, ever intriguing, constant and true."

The boy who started it all. He's the only prince to serenade his girl while she's up on a balcony. Ha-HA! Got to give him credit for that. Quite frankly, I can't break this one down very much since he's not present for 95% of the film, but for what he is there, he's your typical over-the-top romantic, horse-riding, feather cap-wearing prince.

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He searches the entire land for Snow White.

PRINCE CHARMING

from Cinderella (1950)

voiced by Mike Douglas

"I'm all a glow, and now I know, the key to all heaven is mine."

First off, I've got to give this guy credit for his underestimated, unnoticed sass. He hardly speaks during the film, but during the beginning of the ball especially it's just written all over his face and in his body language "Why am I here? *bows* Oh gosh, another foofy dress *bows* How many chins does that girl have? *bows* I wanna go to bed now *bows*". Ha! I love it. Again, I can't really break this one down either since he's absent for the majority of the film. And he's the only male lead not present for the climax (even The Prince from Snow White was there.)

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He searches the entire kingdom in order to find Cinderella.

PHILIP

from Sleeping Beauty (1959)

voiced by Bill Shirley

"Now, father, you're living in the past. This is the 14th century!"

Our first and only cliche dragon-slaying prince! Wazoos! Also, our first prince with an actual personality and who plays a major part of the story. Although he still follows in his two predecessors's footsteps of falling unconditionally in love with a girl at first glance. But like I said, he's much deeper than the past princes. He's brave, he's daring, he's stubborn, he's even a little silly at times (like when he dances with his father as if they're at a ball).

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He undergoes perilous obstacles, including slaying a dragon in order to reach Aurora and save her.

ERIC

from The Little Mermaid (1989)

voiced by Christopher Daniel Barnes

"Believe me, Grim, when I find her, I'll know. Without a doubt, it'll just-BAM-hit me. Like lightning."

I've always been a sucker for dark hair and blue eyes. Now we're reaching the guys with more depth to their characters. I love Eric, though he doesn't have much character development. We'll get to those guys later. He starts out a total sweetheart and ends a total sweetheart. Nothing really changes. But he's a total sweetheart, that's what matters, so I love him! He's just nice to everybody, and he totally makes Ariel's first day in the kingdom special. Fun fact: Eric is the only prince to not sing in his movie (although he does sing in the broadway musical).

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He searches for Ariel every day and night hoping he'll be able to find her again.

THE BEAST

from Beauty and the Beast (1991)

voiced by Robby Benson

"But, she is being so *difficult*!"

Huzzah for males getting bigger roles in Disney movies! In my opinion, the Beast is one of the most deep and complex Disney characters ever created. This is because, although the protagonist, he also has a lot of villain-like qualities. He has a vile temper and is almost violent at times. He has to overcome his own weaknesses and flaws in order to break the enchantment placed over him and his castle. Beneath his rough, angry self is a soft, helpless little boy with a big, loving heart. Imagine having such a curse on you, having to live as a beast until you found love and love in return, with a deadline included. It would definitely make me feel a bit hopeless and cranky. And he was already prone to anger to begin with.

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He lets Belle go because he loves her.

ALADDIN

from Aladdin (1992)

voiced by Scott Weinger

"Trouble? No way. You're only in trouble if you get caught."

The first "prince" to be the main character of the movie! (Well I guess The Beast sort of was, but he shared the spotlight equally with Belle, so it doesn't quite count). Let's give him a round of applause for that, shall we? I say "prince" with quotations because he's not a prince at first. He's a "street rat"/thief. As the main character, he obviously has a large amount of depth and of course has some character development (otherwise it would be a very dull film). He's completely selfless, extremely clever, and utterly charming. No one will ever forget "A Whole New World", whether you love Disney or not. It's remembered as one of the most romantic movie scenes of all time. *dreamy sigh*

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He becomes a prince so he can be with Jasmine.

SHANG

from Mulan (1998)

voiced by BD Wong

"Okay, gentlemen, thanks to your new friend Ping, you'll spend tonight picking up every single grain of rice. And tomorrow, the *real* work begins."

Oh-ho-ho, yes! My ex-roommate's favorite "Disney hunk" as she referred to him. He's the only one on my list who never starts out as, or becomes a prince at any point. Now his relationship is interesting with the female lead since he doesn't even know she's a female until the last quarter of the movie. He sings basically the best Disney song ever written so he ranks high in my book. He's an honorable man, breaking the law by not killing Mulan to fulfil his debt. He's brave, honorable, noble, strict, and compassionate. He's "swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon" XD.

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He breaks the law so Mulan can live.

NAVEEN

from The Princess and the Frog (2009)

voiced by Bruno Campos

"You must kiss me. You will enjoy, I guarantee. All women enjoy the kiss of Prince Naveen. Come, we pucker."

And now we get into the era of the cocky, suave, over-confident heroes that need the girls to turn their lives around. These guys have a lot of thought put into their personalities. I was about to say that he's the first prince to play an instrument, but Eric plays some sort of whistle. But he IS the first prince with an accent! Also, he's the first prince to be set in a "modern" time period (in other words, past medieval/renaissance times). Anyways, once you rub past his "no account, philandering, lazy bump on a log" exterior, you find a fumbling, silly boy who doesn't really know how to look out for himself. But he's a nice guy with a very romantic side. Tee-hee! His failed proposal to Tiana is adorable.

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He's willing to give up his happiness by marrying Charlotte so Tiana can have her restaurant.

FLYNN RIDER (aka Eugene Fitzherbert)

from Tangled (2010)

voiced by Zachary Levi

"Alright, listen. I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder."

Last, but definitely not least, our most recent addition to the "Disney Hunks" collection. (I remember analyzing him a long, long time ago back when this movie was released, but I'll go ahead and do it again.) Our first "prince" with facial hair. (Now I know Phoebus from HBoNT had facial hair, but he's not on my list, so he doesn't count). Again, I say "prince" with quotations because he's not a "prince" at first. He's a thief, but a different kind than Aladdin. He steals because he wants to, not because he needs to survive. He falls firmly into the category of the cocky, suave, overly confident until he meets the girl who turns him around. But beneath that exterior is a sad, lonely little orphan and a total sweetheart. The way he looks at Rapunzel though, it just screams out his sweetness (I mean just look at the above picture).

ULTIMATE ROMANTIC: He gives up his life so Rapunzel can be free.

You see? They're not all perfect (because perfect's boring), but they've got a good kind of imperfection. So I'll just be here waiting for my own Disney prince to come along. Now, don't go telling me that I need to get out there and look, because I am! Don't think I'm just sitting on my backside waiting for some frog to appear on my windowsill, or for my dad to be kidnapped, or for a guy to climb through my window, or for me to be enlisted in the army, or something. OK, everyone see where I stand now? Good. Someday my prince will come and we'll live happily ever after. The end.

Happily Ever After Video

For Rumplestiltskin is My Name

One of my favorite fairytales as a kid was the tale of Rumplestiltskin. I know that this was my dad’s absolute favorite (and he’s not a big fairytale lover). We had a big book full of fairytales and bedtime stories. My parents would read us some of the stories to us when we were little, and my dad loved reading Rumplestiltskin’s story. The story of the funny little man who stomped his way through the floor when the maid-turned-queen guessed his name.

Now what has brought on my memories of Rumplestiltskin, you might be wondering? I think that most of those very few of you that actually read my blog are aware that I watch a TV show called Once Upon a Time. No, it’s not a British TV show, surprisingly enough.

Just a little background on the show: It’s about a bunch of fairytale characters that are stuck in our world because of a curse that Snow White’s evil queen cast, and they can’t remember who they are... except for the evil queen. Snow White’s and Prince Charming’s daughter escaped the curse when she was a newborn and comes across the town as an adult. It is her destiny to break the curse.

Each episode circulates around happenings in the town where the characters are trapped while at the same time, gives backstories to each of the fairytale characters. The pilot episode opens with this statement: “Once upon a time, there was an enchanted forest filled with all the classic characters we know... Or think we know.” Each episode proves that last part, “or think we know”. You think you know all about these fairytale characters and their stories, but then you watch their background and you’re like, “Oh. I never thought of that. I guess that makes sense. That’s cool” or something to that extent. Specifically, I remember Cinderella’s story. You think you know her story, but that was only because she told it a certain way... not the way it really happened.

Anyways, the most recent episode gave Rumplestiltskin’s backstory, which is why I decided to blog about it now. (I don't think I've included any major spoilers or anything in this post). Rumplestiltskin’s and/or his alter ego's character has been present in, I think, every episode since the pilot. I LOVE his character! Some might disagree with me, I can easily see why they might. He’s so creepy, so manipulative, and so unpredictable. Lots of people don’t like characters like him, but I love them. I love that he has his fingers in pretty much everything. He is extremely powerful and tricky; always has some sort of a plan brewing in his head. He tends takes people's most treasured possessions in his deals, which could serve as an explanation for why he bargains for children. Even though I keep finding out more about him, he still manages to remain as mysterious as before.

His alter-ego in the real world is Mr. Gold, a pawn-shop owner. He loves making deals, exactly like Rumplestiltskin. The pawn-shop owner is perfect for him because of the whole loving to make deals thing. He’s just as manipulative as Rumplestiltskin, always planting ideas in people’s heads, making shady deals, etc. It’s sort of been implied that he remembers who he is and the situation of the town, but we really don’t know, just making him all the more intriguing.

Another thing I love about him is that he’s not really a good guy, but he’s not a bad guy either. Just whatever is in the best interest of himself. We find out that he was the one that gave the curse to the evil queen, but then he told Snow White and Prince Charming how they would be able to break it once it was cast. Other adaptions often portray Rumplestiltskin as a villain; a conniving little snook who’s determined to gain everything for himself. But I think this show has it right. He's definitely not good, but he's not necessarily bad either.

We find out from his backstory where he got his extraordinary powers from, possibly why he often bargains for children, why the maid-turned queen had power over him when she learned his name, and that he is a coward. A coward sounds right to me. That’s why he goes for the creepy, sly, hover in the shadows persona. He usually makes people seek him out unless he “recognizes a desperate soul when he sees one”.

Also, I must praise the man who plays him, Robert Carlyle. He's a very versatile actor. Rumplestiltskin before he gets his powers is a snivelling little cowardly man, and after he gets his powers he turns slightly mad and creepy. Then Mr. Gold is ALWAYS cool and collected no matter what, but still maintains the creepiness that Rumplestiltskin had without the craziness.

Honestly, believe it or not, I could go on, but alas I will spare you and leave you with Rumplestiltskin’s little song from the original fairytale:

Today I brew, tomorrow I bake,

And the queen’s child I shall take,

For no one knows my little game

For RUMPLESTILTSKIN is my name!

Sherlock vs Sherlock Holmes- A Scandal in Belgravia

If you've been reading my blog lately, my last few posts have been a project that I've been working on. I'm comparing the TV show 'Sherlock' to the original Sherlock Holmes stories, trying to pick out as many references as possible. (See how this project got started here).

If you have not seen this show, I would not recommend reading on, as there will be spoilers.

SHERLOCK- EPISODE 4- A SCANDAL IN BELGRAVIA: written by Steven Moffat

(Read more about Moffat in 'A Study in Pink')

• This episode is based on one of SACD's most famous short stories, 'A Scandal in Bohemia'.
• John writes down his and Sherlock's cases on a blog for the public to read. This is where Sherlock's clients come from. The original stories ARE Watson's journals, that supposedly were published for the public and attracted clients.
• Some of Watson's blog titles are referencing actual original stories. "Greek Interpreter" vs. "The Greek Interpreter" and "The Speckled Blonde" vs. "The Speckled Band"
• In attempt to cover his face from press, Sherlock puts on a deerstalker cap. Although this is not a reference to the original stories, the deerstalker cap is completely canon in most movie/TV adaptions of Sherlock Holmes.
• Mrs. Hudson finds a bag of thumbs in Sherlock and John's refrigerator. (I mentioned this in 'The Great Game', but) In the original stories, Holmes would occasionally have random body parts lying around on which he would be performing experiments on.
• Sherlock doesn't feel the need to leave the flat to go to the crime scene. This is referencing two things in the originals. 1) Holmes doesn't actually need to leave the flat to solve the mystery a lot of the time, he just needs to hear the story and he'll have it figured out. 2) In 'A Study in Scarlet', he tells Watson that he sometimes doesn't feel like going to investigate a crime if it seems boring.
• The person who hires Sherlock about Irene Adler wants to remain anonymous.
• One of Irene Adler's professional names is "The Woman". This is referencing the original story, Holmes would never call her anything else except "The Woman" after the case.
• Irene Adler has some compromising pictures concerning the royal family.
• Sherlock dresses up as a vicar and then has John punch him in the face (and John goes a bit further than just one punch XD) in order to get into Irene Adler's home. In the original story, Holmes disguises himself as a vicar and fakes being attacked (although he's not actually hurt) in front of Irene Adler.
• John sets off the smoke alarm, making Irene look towards her hiding spot for the photos. In the original story, Watson throws a smoke bomb into her home and shouts "fire!", making her run to the hiding spot.
• "Upon hearing a smoke alarm, a mother would look towards her child. Amazing how fire can expose our priorities." vs. the original, "When a woman thinks her house is fire, her instinct is to rush to the thing which she values most... A married woman grabs her baby--an unmarried woman reaches for her jewel box."
• After Irene beats Sherlock (physically and mentally) she says, "This is how I want you to remember me, the woman who beat you." This is in reference to the original story, where Irene Adler was the only woman to ever outwit Holmes.
• Sherlock asks Mycroft if he thinks there's something wrong with the two of them because they don't care as much as other people. This is referencing the original stories, where the Holmes brothers often tend to lack normal human emotion.
• When everyone finds out that Irene is supposedly dead, Mycroft believes it might be a "danger night" for Sherlock, and John and Mrs. Hudson take precautions to make sure Sherlock is "clean". This is referencing Holmes's cocaine habit in the original books.
• Sherlock plays the violin when he's thinking. This is the same in the original stories.
• John says that Sherlock barely talks since he's depressed. This is referencing something Holmes said in 'A Study in Scarlet' when he was listing off his short comings. He said he would sometimes get down in the dumps and not talk for days.
• Mycroft invents a story to tell Sherlock about Irene, that she changed her name and is in America. In the original story, Irene got married, therefore changing her name, and moved to America with her new husband.
• John says that Sherlock won't even call Irene by her name, just "The Woman". This is the same in the original story.
• Sherlock asks to keep Irene's camera phone. In the original story, Holmes asks to keep a photo of Irene.

Sherlock vs Sherlock Holmes- The Great Game

I started a project where I'm comparing one of my favorite TV shows, BBC's Sherlock to the original Sherlock Holmes stories. A couple days ago, I did 'A Study in Pink'. I'm skipping 'The Blind Banker' for now because I'm still trying to figure out which story(ies) that episode is based on. (See how this project got started here.)

If you have not seen this show, I would not recommend reading on, as there will be spoilers.

SHERLOCK- EPISODE 3- THE GREAT GAME: written by Mark Gatiss

(Gatiss is the co-creator of the show along with Steven Moffat. They are both hard-core Sherlock Holmes fans and work hard to stay true to the original stories. Gatiss also portrays Mycroft Holmes [Sherlock's older brother] in this adaption.)

• This episode was mainly based on the short story 'The Bruce-Partington Plans' although there were many others sprinkled throughout.
• Sherlock shoots a smiley face into a wall in his flat. In the original stories, Holmes shoots the initials "VR" into the wall.
• Sherlock sits around his flat, doing random (even dangerous) things when he's bored. This is the same in the original books.
• "I don't know what's got into the criminal classes. Good job I'm not one of them." vs. the original "It is fortunate for this community that I am not a criminal."
• John tries to think of some small cases for Sherlock, but Sherlock declines.
• John finds a severed human head in the refrigerator. In the books, Holmes would sometimes have random body parts lying about on which he would be performing experiments.
• John keeps a blog about Sherlock's cases. The original stories are written in a fashion that are basically Watson's journals about Holmes's cases.
• Sherlock expresses his annoyance over how John depicts him in his blog. In the original stories, Holmes occasionally criticizes Watson on how he writes his stories.
• Sherlock doesn't know that the earth goes around the sun because if he ever did learn it, he deleted it from his memory. He compares his brain to a hard drive on which he only stores really useful information. In the originals, it is the same except he compares his brain to an attic in which he stores only certain things.
• Mycroft visits Sherlock at 221B with a case about some missing/stolen plans to a missile program called the Bruce-Partington Plans and a dead man who apparently jumped off a train. This is the same in the original story, except it's not missile plans, it's submarine plans.
• Sherlock deduces that John slept on Sarah's lilo, but Mycroft corrects him saying it was the sofa to which Sherlock stands corrected. In the original stories, Mycroft has Sherlock's same deductive powers in an even higher dose than his brother.
• "Never mind your usual trivia, this is of national importance." vs the original "You must drop everything, Sherlock. Nevermind your usual petty puzzles of the police-court. It's a vital international problem you have to solve."
• Sherlock asks Mycroft why he doesn't investigate the case himself to which Mycroft says that the case requires too much legwork. The original stories appraise Mycroft as more genius than Sherlock, but extraordinarily lazy. In this original story, he specifically complains that this case will require too much running around.
• "I'd be lost without my blogger." vs the original "I'd be lost without my Boswell."
• Five beeps/pips are left as a message on the phone for Sherlock and he goes on to explain about some old secret societies that used to send warnings through lemon seeds or orange pips. The reoccurring pips on the phone are in reference to the original short story 'The Five Orange Pips'
• The bombs being left at different locations is in reference to an original story by SACD (although I can't pinpoint exactly which one at this time)
• Sherlock has John analyze some shoes to see what he can deduce from them, saying an outside eye is very useful to him. Holmes has Watson do the same thing in one of the original stories, except with a hat.
• The dead man found on the train tracks had no ticket and was last seen by his fiancée.
• The argument Sherlock and John have about caring about people dying is similar to a discussion Holmes and Watson had in the original stories
• Sherlock has a "homeless network", where he has homeless people on the lookout for him all over the city. In the original stories, Holmes has "the Baker Street division of the police force", where he has a bunch of scoundrel boys on the lookout for him all over the city.
• John finds out that Sherlock has been trailing him the entire time he's been investigating a crime supposedly on his own. This is a shout-out to one of SACD's novels, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' where Watson thinks he is investigating on his own when Holmes is actually following him the whole time.
• The body of Andrew West fell off the top of the train at a turn in the tracks. It was the same for Cadogan West in the original story.
• The man who stole the Bruce-Partington plans did not mean to kill West. In the original story, the man who stole the plans was not involved in the murder at all.
• Jim Moriarty is, of course, the updated version of Professor James Moriarty; Sherlock Holmes's arch-nemisis. He's supposed to be like an evil version of Holmes.
• Jim is the world's only consulting criminal, where people come to him with their problems and he sets them up with ways to accomplish their crimes. In other words, he never does anything himself. This is basically the same in the original stories, Moriarty is the brain behind everything, but never does anything himself.
• -"Everything I have to say has already crossed your mind." -"Probably my answer has crossed yours." This bit of dialogue was taken directly from one of Holmes's and Moriarty's famous confrontation scenes in 'The Final Problem'.