Sunday, April 23, 2017
Disney Recap
I have learned a lot over the course of this semester. I've read many critiques of Walt, and his corporate machine, and I have also come to respect all that they've accomplished. I can't say I have a polarized opinion leaning either way. Like most things in life I find myself understanding both sides to the story, and appreciating points from both the lovers and the critics. I think it's clear that Disney is one of the most successful companies of our era, and I can imagine their growth and influence will only continue to spread. Overall I have learned
1. Animation
Animation is the key to their success, because it is timeless. Characters are able to be recreated effortlessly, and unlike real time movies, there is no expiration date on actors. Disney has the opportunity to come out with sequels for anything, and the earning potential is very high. As times change, and socially accepted standards change it is possible for Disney films to easily adapt. Creation is boundless, and there truly is nothing Disney cannot do.
2. Disney and race
After reading through many critiques of early, and even present day Disney films, it is evident that Disney has many racial tendencies. I can understand this to an extent. The 1940s were a different time, and no this does not make these discriminatory narratives acceptable, but I think it's fair to say that certain things were more socially accepted than others. After all, Disney is a business, and they aim to please the masses. What I am not understanding of is the continued racial discrimination that plagues Disney movies today. Although not as obvious as the "Jim Crow" in Dumbo, recent releases feature just as socially damaging depictions of minorities.
3. Slimy or Smart??
Disney has a way of making bad headlines go away quickly. Remember that little boy who was killed in a Disney lagoon by an alligator? no? Right, because it didn't headline. In fact, do you remember the last negative thing that was said about Disney in the news? Because I don't. So, shoutout to that PR team, because they keep the Disney's reputation squeaky clean. After all, it is the Happiest Place on Earth. What could ever go wrong?
4. Sexism
Disney is notoriously sexist. Whether it's a Disney Princesses constant need for saving, or their lack of screen time in films it cannot be ignored that women are seen as a burden, and more often than not the very reason there's a problem at all. Disney has made some progressive changes with new films like Frozen, but there is still a long way to go. Similar to the racial discussion, the world was so very different 50 years ago. I can sympathize with many of the early films lack of strong, independent women, but at this point it's just sad. I want girls to grow up thinking they can be the hero, or the problem solver in life, not the burden.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Magical Disney
I feel like it's very easy to criticize companies like Disney. I mean, we always seem to resent the winners, and the bottom line is, Disney is a winner. They're good at what they do, and not many companies can even hope to compare. I've decided since i've spent a lot of my time on this forum dissing Disney, I would share a few of the things I love about Disney.
1. The Lion King
THE best, most influential movie of my childhood. I remember when my mom bought a new car and it had a tv in the back. Game changer. And it didn't matter how long the car ride was going to be. We could be driving to the supermarket and we would throw a movie in and watch as much as we possibly could. The movie of choice: The Lion King. I think by the time I was 12 I could quote the entire movie. I'm not sure what we found so enticing... Maybe the soundtrack, or the characters (baby Lions are SO FREAKING CUTE). I mean just look at them.
2. Disney World
I don't care what anyone says, this place is MAGICAL. I remember visiting for the first time when I was 6 with my grandparents and older cousin, and I have distinct memories of this trip. It's kinda crazy when you think about it... I mean, that's 13 years ago, and it was the best vacation i've ever been on. I still have the autograph booklet where I got Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Minnie's signature. It sounds silly now, but I treasured that booklet. I think my mom still has it. They really do put their customers first, and happiness is at the forefront of their mission statement. Plus, have you seen the fireworks?! That alone is enough for me.
3. The beginning
A couple months ago I watched a film on Netflix called "Walt before Disney". I had never really considered a life without Disney, because it goes back to when my grandparents were children, which is hard for me to wrap my head around, but nonetheless, the movie was really good. It brought the tough beginnings of Disney into a new light for me. It gave me a newfound respect for Walt Disney, and the people who worked out of a 1 room office for years without getting paid. It was a beautiful, inspirational story, and if you have the chance I recommend you going to check it out next time you have a couple hours to watch.
So, there it is. 3 things I thoroughly love, respect, and enjoy about Disney.
I hope you enjoy.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Beauty and the Billion
Beauty and the Beast is nearing the 1 billion mark at the box office, and is currently sitting near the top as the 29th most grossing movie ever ($984 million). I have yet to see Beauty and the Beast, so my hopes are that when I do i'm that billion-breaking ticket.
This isn't the first live action Disney film that has done killed it at the box office. The Jungle Book and Maleficent both did exceedingly well, grossing $967 and $759 million respectively. Due to this success, Disney is currently working on a remake of Dumbo and Mulan, with hopes of doing equally as well. After the past success, It is safe to bet that the future for Disney live action remakes is bright. I'm excited to see what changes they end up making to their timeless tales. After hearing about the progressive push in Beauty and the Beast i'm sure there will be many more changes to come.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Frozen Character Analysis
Frozen follows the story of Anna and her quest to find her sister, and break the deep winter spell that haunts the kingdom. Anna calls on the help of Kristoff, and his side kick reindeer to embark on this journey.
Anna
Anna is the younger sister of the two, and her upbeat and optimistic personality makes her a well liked character. Anna doesn't understand why her sister is locked away, because her memory has been wiped clean by magical trolls, so when the kingdom comes under ice, Anna takes matters into her own hands, and embarks on a journey to save her family and kingdom.
Kristoff
Kristoff is a mountaineer who accompanies Anna on her quest to get rid of the permanent winter. He is an explorer at heart, and often adventures in the woods, which is what makes him such a good companion on the journey with Anna. Kristoff has a reindeer best friend who accompanies him everywhere he goes. He is sort of a loner in a sense, and spends most, if not all of his time with Sven, his reindeer. He isn't used to being surrounded by people, and that shines through his personality. Despite this social awkwardness, he is a loving guy, and soon makes Anna fall for him.
Elsa
Elsa lives most of her life suppressing her powers, and hiding away from her family after almost killing her sister. She lives her life scared, afraid of what her powers might do. She is very much misunderstood, and isolated throughout the majority of the film.
Sven
Kristoff's loyal sidekick and business partner. Sven is very similar to a pet dog, and would do anything for Kristoff. While he doesn't speak english, he and Kristoff have a very clear understanding of each other and don't require dialect to communicate.
I took a frozen quiz to determine which character I was, and here are my results...
I was really hoping for Elsa on this one, but I'll take it. I see a fair resemblance, so can I really complain?
Wreck It Ralph Character Analysis
Wreck It Ralph is the story of an arcade game character named Ralph who is sick and tired of playing the villain in his game. His opponent, Fix It Felix, consistently receives all of the glory as the hero of the game, and this troubles Ralph. He believes he has what it takes to be a hero, and soon takes matters into his own hands in hopes of attaining the recognition he so badly desires. In doing so, he releases an evil that has the capability of ending the game completely. In order to reverse his wrongdoing, Ralph teams up with a game glitch named Vanellope Von Schweetz. Together they go on a quest to reverse the evil Ralph has unleashed, and along the way discover what it takes to be a hero.
Wreck It Ralph
Ralph is the main character of the film, and starts out as the arcade game's villain. He is large, and clumsy, known for his anger issues that lead him to wreck things. However, underneath it all he is a very caring, humble character who begins a quest to become a hero. At the beginning of the film he believes earning a medal is all it takes to be the good guy, but along the way he learns there is so much more to it, and recognition is unnecessary. In the end he learns that by putting others needs ahead of yourself, and looking out for the best interest of your peers is what it takes to be a true hero.
Fix It Felix
Felix is the protagonist of the arcade game that also features Ralph. He is the fixer, and helps rebuild everything that Ralph wrecks. He is a source of jealousy for Ralph, and receives all of the games glory. He's smaller in stature, and well liked by everyone in the game world because of his cheery attitude. Throughout the story he is sympathetic of Ralph's situation, and treats him better than many of the games townspeople do.
Vanellope Von Schweetz
Vanellope is an arcade game glitch who accompanies Ralph on his quest for heroism. She was booted from her game, and is now ostracized from her old community. She is out for revenge, and has hopes of winning a race that would "un-glitch" her character. With everything that has been stacked against her, Vanellope appears very loud and obnoxious at first, but deep down she has a loving personality that shines through.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Pocahontas (1997)
Today we will dive deep into one of my favorite Disney films, Pocahontas. Pocahontas has a special place in my heart, and i'm not sure if it has something to do with the fact that it shares my birthday year, or simply because I probably watched it more times in school than I ever did anything else. For some reason my elementary school teachers LOVED this movie. I suppose when we learned all about Christopher Columbus this movie was slightly relevant, and I distinctly remember watching it when learning all about the discovery of America, but I'm not kidding, I saw this movie upwards of ten times throughout my elementary school experience alone. Not complaining. Colors of the Wind will always be a smash hit in my books, and I could probably still recite every word, despite not having watched it in years.
Today I learned that Pocahontas was actually only 13 years old, and she did in fact go to England where she died of smallpox, or syphilis, or something or other. Tragic. I like the Disney version better.
Now, to the juicy stuff.
... let's get started.
1. "Savages"
Ah, the soundtrack that was enthusiastically chanted throughout my 3rd grade classroom. The problem I have with this movie is many times we, especially as children in school, are taught that these men who came over and "discovered" America were these brave, adventurous men who risked their lives to explore new lands. We even give them names like "conquistador" as opposed to "intruders" or "murderers", more fitting words for what they accomplished. They are glorified, and we are taught that the Native people were these barbaric, animals who attacked us. WE become the victims. However, I would argue that if the roles were reversed, and the Native Americans sailed over to Europe stole our resources, claimed our land and fell in love with our girls (who in reality were 13) we would probably have an issue. I also don't think this invasion would be handled peacefully. This song creates animosity between the Natives and Englishmen. It degrades the Native population, singing "savages, savages, barely even human".
So... a bit of a problem? maybe.
probably, yes.
However, I do think that the Englishmen were shown in a pretty negative light, especially Governor Ratcliffe. His lust for gold and disregard for the Native population set him apart from men like John Smith whose intentions are more pure, and seem to be centered around exploration. It might be interesting to take this conversation in a different direction
2. flamboyant Disney heroes
Many Disney critics often center their analysis around stories villains, and intend on finding patterns that group these antagonist characters together. Often male villains are given certain qualities and characteristics that are associated with gay men. Flamboyance, femininity, colorful outfits are just a few examples. Governor Ratcliffe certainly is... purple.
His demeanor is often quite feminine, from his fluid walk to the 'hand on hip' stance. The shoes are very petite, and small feet don't necessarily scream masculine. I also think the long pigtails should be acknowledged. Poor Governor Ratcliffe. Maybe his short temper and just pure unlikeability is simple a result of his closeted love for men.
3. colors of the wind
absolute banger
Monday, March 20, 2017
Racist Disney: Aladdin (1992)
Is Disney historically racist? I feel like we should dive into this question a little deeper before we look to analyze the film Aladdin.
Racism is, and has been a very touchy subject throughout much of our history here in America, and especially in the south. For some reason, we have decided as a culture, subconsciously or not, that people with white skin are superior when compared to those with colored skin. While we have made strides as a country over the past century, we are still taught that being white is to be superior, and this idea is reinforced constantly through the shows we watch, and the things we are commercially fed. Disney is no exception. If you were to see a character wearing white next to a character wearing black, and you were asked to predict who was good and who was evil, what would you say? I cannot speak for the majority, but personally I have been taught that white resembles holiness, and peace, while black resembles danger, and death. The overall connotation of the word white is good, while black signifies something bad or evil. Now when discussing Disney films, Aladdin in particular, you see many of these sorts of subconscious racial profiles.
The first problem in Aladdin is the characteristics that define the main character. Aladdin is a middle eastern orphan who is known to lie and steal food from street vendors. This may be a stretch, but it is a very stereotypical way to open up the movie, especially considering most American kids don't have a solid concept of what Middle Eastern boys are like. So, for this to be the first impression children are given is a bit shady.
It is also interesting to note the contrast in skin colors with Aladdin in the beginning of the film compared to the end. As previously mentioned, the beginning of the movie features a dark-skinned, poor Aladdin who lies and steals, yet the end of the movie when Aladdin finds love and happiness his skin color is much lighter. Again we see this idea that white skin is synonymous with the good in life, while darker skin promotes quite the opposite.
Before After
Now, we haven't even touched on the controversial soundtrack.
If you have yet to hear the song "Arabian Nights" that is featured in this Disney classic, I highly recommend it. Here's a look at the more questionable parts of the song,
Oh, I come from a land
From a faraway place
Where the caravan camels roam.
Where they cut off your ear
If they don't like your face
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.
Yikes.
But Disney quickly made things right (as right as you can in this situation), as good ole' Disney does, and they edited the film's soundtrack to be slightly more appropriate, and slightly less racist.
Personally, i'm going to have to agree with the acknowledged bits of racism above, and while I loved the movie otherwise (especially the little monkey, ugh my fav), I can't say I give the film my stamp of approval.
Maybe next time Disney.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Overworked and Underpaid
Apparently Disney has not been compensating their workers fairly, and now owe $3.8 million in a settlement.
I'm sure this will really put a dent in the companies financials.
Stingy Disney
For a company that grosses nearly 30 billion dollars annually (according to the NYSE), they are... how do I put this nicely... Exceedingly frugal with their paychecks. I read an article the other day that discussed Disney's poor payout to actors who star in their films, and more specifically Emma Watson's paltry paycheck of a meager 3 million dollars (no comment).
While there is the potential to earn upwards of 15 million dollars, that all depends on how Beauty and the Beast does in the box office. While I'm sure the timeless tale will smash it, it is curious why an actress of Emma Watson's caliber would not be compensated more for her work. According to the article, Watson earned $60 million for her role in the Harry Potter series, which equates to $7.5 million per film. More than double what she is earning playing the lead role, Belle. Now, I'm not one to advocate for an increase in pay for actors, because I find it hard to justify such a loaded paycheck, but for a multi-billion dollar company such as Disney, I find a $3 million paycheck rather disrespectful.
According to a producer at Disney, the lead role is of little importance. Apparently Disney's brand is so large that it doesn't need to rely on casting to do well.
*cue arrogant Disney retort
He makes the point that if Jennifer Lawrence were to play Belle, the box office outcome would be the same. This is where I disagree. Nothing against Jennifer Lawrence, because she is one of my faves, but personally there is something special about having Emma Watson play Belle. When I saw the very first Beauty and the Beast teaser trailer I got goosebumps, and a large portion of that reaction can be attributed to seeing Emma Watson's face appear on the rose's glass. Maybe it's her effortless english accent, or maybe my allegiance lies through my adoration for Harry Potter, but a big part of my excitement for this film is centered around the fact that Emma Watson is Belle.
If you haven't seen the teaser trailer, i'll leave the link below.
GOOSEBUMPS
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Disney.....gay?!!
So there's been a lot of controversy on social media relating to Disney, and it's new film, Beauty and the Beast. According to Director, Bill Condon, this highly anticipated film will feature Disney's first "exclusively gay moment". You can read more about it here, https://www.yahoo.com/news/going-lgbtq-plot-beauty-beast-093625517.html?.tsrc=fauxdal
This decision has created an uproar from many conservative viewers. Some have gone so far as to boycott the film, and sign petitions hoping to... well honestly i'm not sure what they're hoping to do with that.
This guy-on-guy kiss has also brought Disney much praise from the LGBTQ+ community, and it's supporters.
Meanwhile Disney's like
Sunday, February 26, 2017
High Tech Disney
Well, team Disney you have done it again. It is now possible to charge your phone wirelessly, by simply stepping into a room. Sounds safe.
What more could we ask for?
Gender Transgression and Villainy in Animated Film Response
Gender Transgression and Villainy in Animated Film, written by Merdeith Li-Vollmer and Mark E. LaPointe, explores the topics of "queer coding" and gender transgression in animation. Queer coding is a hot topic in Disney Films, and is loosely defined as the making of a character to seem queer without outwardly expressing their sexual orientation. This is usually done through the makeup of the characters physical characteristics, for example in The Lion King, Scar's flamboyant mannerisms and voice may lead viewers to believe he is gay.
Gender transgression refers to characters not acting in a way that lives up to the social expectations that surround certain sexes. Vollmer writes, "...movies and other mass media can and do present images of how gender has been performed, is performed, and should be performed". This habit of using gender transgression to help demonize villains in Disney films is wrong, in my opinion, because it condemns certain character traits that are perfectly human, and demonizes those who don't necessarily act "correctly" according to society's standards. Having these
Vollmer goes on to discuss how gender is a social construct, and we teach ourselves how to behave "appropriately", meaning in a way that doesn't call into question our gender. This was interesting to read, and it was something I had never considered before. Vollmer says that every activity carries along with it an opportunity to assert your "womanliness" or "manliness". This made me think back to 5th grade on the playground, where the boys would play football in the field, and the girls would sit under the gazebo and gossip. There was this social expectation, though never mentioned out loud, that I belonged in the gazebo. Nevertheless, I always found myself playing with the boys in the field, and growing up I struggled to fit in with the girls. Thinking back, my decision making very much affected my relationship with the girls in my grade, because the playground called into question my gender. Thinking back I wouldn't have it any other way, but it frustrates me to think that these social constructs are so innately present in us that it so clearly affects our ability to form relationships, especially if you act against the set standards. Also, I kicked ass in football.
Vollmer and LePoint examined 10 Disney films made before 1989, and analyzed the gender transgression present in them. First, they discuss the contrast in bone structures between heroes and villains. The villains, like scar, tend to have more point features than compared to heroes, like Mufasa.
This pointed bone structure can also be found in other villains, such as
yzma
Jafar
and hades.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Beauty and the Beast
If you couldn't already tell from my previous blog posts, I love beauty and the best. It is easily one of my favorite Disney films, and I am so excited to watch the new film featuring Emma Watson. The original 1991 film will always have my heart for a few reasons.
1. Belle is a smart, independent young women who doesn't fall for the hyper masculine Gatson, and instead is more interested in her books than his numerous advances.
2. Belle offers up her life in return for her father's release, which in my opinion is the ultimate sacrifice.
3. The beast is flawed physically and emotionally, and Belle sees through his imperfections and loves him anyways.
4. The movie teaches young girls and boys to fall in love with the person, and not the appearance. It emphasizes patience, and shows that sometimes the best things are hidden behind doors we'd never thought we'd open.
I could go on and on, but I love the shift that takes place in this movie. I feel as if Disney turned the norm on its head, and instead of preaching to young girls "find your Prince Charming", the message focuses more on looking past physical imperfections and finding the good in everyone.
The song "Tale as old as time" is such a classic, it gives me goosebumps whenever it comes on. Honestly all Disney classic's must be accompanied by a memorable soundtrack, and Beauty and the Beast doesn't disappoint.
The ending is also great. Although I get very curious as to what happens with Belle's Dad, Maurice, and Mrs. Pots. I know i'm not the only one who saw that little end of the movie, flirty action going on.... mhm I see you Maurice. Discrete is not your middle name. And I see "Mrs. Pot" but I don't see a "Mr. Pot" so for the sake of fun I'm going to assume that they get together and live happily ever after, Just like Belle and the Beast. BOOM. Story tied up in a beautiful little knot just the way Disney likes to do it. Or HUGE MAJOR TWIST, Disney decides to really put a spin on things, and go the more progressive route with a character plot twist... are you ready for it????
Mrs. Pots isn't into "mr.'s" at all. *winky face emoji
That's right LGBTQ+ community. Welcome to the Disney World. We've been waiting for you.
:)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Little Mermaid was never a big part of my childhood. I remember the first time I had ever watched it. It was in 3rd grade on a day my teacher was out, and I remember how excited I was walking into the classroom to find the TV wheeled in and placed in the middle of the room. I fell in love.
Music has always been a big part of my life, and when I was younger I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. For that reason, I loved the Little Mermaid simply for its musical numbers. I learned all the words to "under the sea" within the next few days, and watched it again at home just to show off my singing ability. My mom was not all that impressed. I sang anyways.
Along with singing, I loved being in and around water, especially the ocean. You can imagine my disappointment then when Ariel decided to trade her beautiful voice and mermaid abilities for legs... Disappointment is an understatement. I was heartbroken. If I had the ability to breathe underwater and sing musical numbers with my fish friends all my dreams would have come true.
I understand better than anyone the rebellious stage Ariel found herself in, and I still find myself doing dumb, teenage things that my parents would disapprove of, but I was extremely disappointed in her decision making in this movie. Making a deal with Ursula was just so obviously not the move, and I found myself yelling at the screen as she gave up her powers for true love. bleh. I'd also say i'm in my independent "i'm gonna do whatever the hell I want with whoever the hell I want to" phase so maybe i'm a bit biased, but seriously, I would never give up such a vital part of who I am for a guy. From what i've seen, they're not worth it.
After watching the movie as a somewhat adultish person, with my own somewhat adultish views and opinions, i've found a few things I don't necessarily enjoy in the movie. For one, the song that Ursula sings before taking Ariel's voice is quite disheartening. it's verses include things like, "yes on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word" and "they're (men) not all that impressed with conversation". These are not the only controversial lyrics sang in the ballad, but you get the point. A lot of the movie objectifies women, and It's upsetting to see. It scares me as well, because I don't want little girls hearing this and subconsciously, or consciously thinking that women are only good for something as trivial as their looks. I think a better message could have been sent, but similar to Cinderella, times were very different when The Little Mermaid first debuted. The role women play in society has changed so much over the past 60 years, and for that reason I will excuse Disney for the sexist undertones present in The Little Mermaid.
Cinderella (1950)
Cinderella is the 12th animated movie made
by Disney, making its appearance in 1950, and while it's crazy to think my
grandparents were toddlers at the time of its debut, I do not share the
majority's adoration of this OG Disney classic.
I suppose the fact that I haven't seen the
movie in nearly 12 years could be an attributing factor to my lack of
admiration, but after reading up on all the Disney critique's regarding Disney
Princesses, and their dependence on true love/lack of any real independence, my
indifference became disfavor. However, when I was assigned to watch this movie
for class I decided to put aside all other premonitions and watch again with an
open mind.
After watching Cinderella I found a new
respect for the Disney Princess. She really wasn't out searching for the love
of her life, and she worked hard under her stepmothers oppression. She seemed
to make the most out of her situation, as hellish as it was, and something
about her patience and kindness was inspiring.
I think it's possible to view Cinderella
in two very different lights depending on how you approach the plot. For
example, you could say Cinderella's grace and respect towards her family was
admireable despite the mistreatment, but you could also twist this scenario and
say it is disheartening to see a girl so willing to bend over backwards to
please someone who treats her so poorly. Perhaps you could go as far to say you
wouldn't want your children to see this sort of behavior, and fall under the
impression that this sort of passive behavior could lead to anything positive.
Maybe if I were born in the 1950s, a less
progressive time than now, I would have a better appreciation for Cinderella,
but sadly (or not so sadly), I wasn't. Times have changed, and so have
relationships. Now, Cinderella was already a bit unrealistic... ok a lot
unrealistic, so no, I don't think people back in the 50s were dropping slippers
left and right in hopes of finding their Prince Charming, but I do think
there's a lot to be said of the importance we place on finding true love now
compared to 70 years ago. Women today are starting their own businesses,
signing professional athletic contracts, and running countries. Things that 70
years ago were unheard of. This shift in our culture has lead to a shift in our
ideals. For some, finding your Prince Charming takes priority over everything
else in life, while for others it's merely a side note. While I respect both, I
think I fall more on the side of Independence, with a "go with the
flow" type of attitude. If I happen to find someone along the way that's
brilliant, if not I know i'm gonna live one helluva life regardless.
I will say that after watching the film I
have gained more respect for the character. While Cinderella is not my
favorite, I have learned to appreciate it for what it is. I understand the 50s
were a different time, and the storyline very much fit the time period it was
produced in. If I ever find my Prince Charming maybe I'll start a family, and
maybe just maybe I'll have Cinderella be apart of my kids life, like it was
once apart of mine.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Diving Deep into Disney Ponds (but acutally, don't)
Disney World is known for being the happiest place on Earth. A place where you can enjoy time with your family, relax, and have all your dreams come true. For many, this is the experience Disney World consistently provides, but last June one family left this magical kingdom shattered and heartbroken. The death of the little boy at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa was tragic, and likely avoidable. If you're unaware of what happened (which is possible, as Disney did an exceptional job keeping it out of the news), a child was standing by the edge of a lagoon inside a Disney Resort and was attacked and killed by an alligator. The boy's body was soon after recovered by authorities. The question that was raised is, how did the alligators come to be there? And was Disney aware of their presence?
Steve Brown wrote an article arguing that Disney must have been aware of the animal's presence in the lagoon, and exploits how tackily the case was handled (in his opinion). He says that while Disney promises a "wildlife free" vacation, they were fully aware of the animal's habitation, and failed at providing a safe environment for their guests. He thought they should be to blame for the incident, and scolds the shady settlement plan.
Here is an excerpt from Brown's article exposing the Disney Corporation, and its attempts to cover up any sort of media leak regarding an alligator infestation that happened months before the tragic accident involving the boy last June.
He also expels any sort of claim that aims to paint Disney in the clear. 
It is obvious that Brown detests Disney, and it's exceptional ability to avoid any and all negative media backlash, and while I'm not sure how I feel about the corporation's ability to pay their way out of problems, I must say it is remarkably impressive.
Rapunzella
I am the queen of class schedules. It's a fact.
Considering I'm a student athlete, and have limited time as it is, my scheduling has been quite impressive these first two semesters. This spring I have somehow managed to avoid any and all maths/sciences, and do not have class on fridays. woohoo, yep I know, let's celebrate, right? Well no. With my personality I should've known better, because I am the biggest procrastinator you will ever meet. Me being my lazy self, I put off the entirety of my homework until the weekend rolls around. Now you're probably wondering what this all has to do with "Rapunzella"... well with all my homework piled up, and fast approaching deadlines I decided to relieve some of that stress by taking a Buzzfeed "Which Disney Princess Are You?" quiz.
Because what else would I be doing with my time?
Anyways, I was a bit skeptical at first... I'm not the biggest Disney Princess fan, and I didn't really think I fit the mold of any of these women. I swore to myself if I got sleeping beauty or snow white I was gonna lose my shit, so you can imagine I was happily surprised when I got Rapunzel.
"witty and outgoing, you have a sense of humor that always keeps people smiling. You are constantly on the look for adventure, and don't settle down easily."
Girl, tell me something I don't know.
I suppose I'll endorse the quiz just this once, and if you're interested in taking it yourself i'll leave the link below.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/mccarricksean/which-disney-princes-are-you?utm_term=.viM3ZG7BW#.qfLkZzg6G
Friday, February 3, 2017
Iconic Disney Moment
So i'm going to start a compilation of my favorite Disney moments.....
We'll start here
Corporate Disney and Youth Manipulation
In 1994 Henry A. Giroux wrote an article titled "Animating Youth, the Disneyfication of Children's Culture" touching on his candid, yet somewhat obscure opinions on corporate Disney. The later, written in 2011, was titled "How Disney Magic and the Corporate Media Shape Youth Identity in the Digital Age. A lot can change 17 years, so it's not unusual for there to be a contextual shift in the foundation of Giroux's argument. Since his views were published in 1994 Disney released more than 20 new films, including The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Emperor's New Groove and many other renowned Disney classics. A lot went down, including the invention of...
The DVD
Google
The Playstation
And many more. The late 90s and early 2000's were accompanied by the internet craze. Not only were new inventions being brought to the surface, but there were many advances in technology, along with a shift in how we share information. Watching Disney movies no longer required a VCR, and was now available through a variety of mediums. Children begin to watch cartoons on their family television, and advertisements soon became a part of their life. Giroux explains how influential these advertisements can be in his 2011 article, and emphasises just how much spending power these children have (spoiler, it's a lot).
Giroux believes that Disney uses its image of innocence to obscure their efforts to brainwash the American youth. He believes that this billion dollar industry uses its money and influence to shape the views and desires of unsuspecting children. Children are a huge money market, and they influence a large portion of their parents spending power. For this reason, Disney has put a lot of money in understanding the psyche of children...
According to Giroux's article in 2011, it was estimated that by 2013 the amount of time an average American spent in front of the tv would equal the amount of time sleeping.
That. Is. Crazy.
Disney knows this, and personally, I think it's genius.
Giroux doesn't share my admiration.
Is this necessarily wrong? Or just good business?
You tell me.
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